Novato Real Estate Market Update (April 2010 Home Sales Report)
April 19, 2010
The Novato, California real estate market continues to exhibit strength across nearly all price bands (not so for homes priced above $1.5 million). March 2010 saw 43 sales (a huge increase from February’s 24 sales and one higher than the very high December 2009 total). The average sales price of Novato homes in March 2010 rose (again) to $653,072. These homes averaged 91 days on market, were about 2,293 sq. ft., and averaged roughly $298 sq. ft.
Novato’s price per square foot has hovered around $300 for a year now — in my mind, we are seeing the gradual recomposition of the market in the era of the “New Normal.” Prices have stabilized and are holding steady (at least at the entry level). I read that one bank has announced a 95% loan to value ratio for California last week — a product that has been almost entirely absent from the market for nearly 2 years.
Novato’s absorption rate (e.g., number of months’ inventory of homes for sale based on last month’s sales totals) shifted downwards into historically low levels for this time of year) — 3.05 months worth of available inventory overall (131 single family homes are currently for sale in Novato). Below are the percentages of homes in escrow in each of Novato’s major price bands:
- 66% of homes priced under $500,000 (74% last month);
- 48% of homes between $501,000 and $600,000 (54% last month);
- 48% of homes between $601,000 and $750,000 (39% last month);
- 32% of homes between $751,000 and $1 million (28% last month);
- 16% of homes between $1 million and $1.5 million (23% last month);
- 0% of homes between $1.5 million and up.
Amazingly, out of 39 homes on the market under $500,000, only 13 are not in escrow (and several of these hit the market less than a week ago) — this is simply amazing!
Of the homes that sold in March 2009:
- 19 homes were priced under $600,000;
- 21 homes priced from $601,00 to $1 million; and
- 3 homes priced from $1 million and up.
Homes in Pointe Marin, Country Club, Hamilton Field, Rush Creek, and Bel Marin Keys generated the most calls and showings this past month. My listing at 94 Maybeck Street, Novato (South Gate at Hamilton Field) sold for 98.7% of list price in 10 days. If you would like me to run the exact numbers for your Novato neighborhood or if you have any questions about Novato’s many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440.
NEW HOMES: The 3 Model Homes being built at The Landing at Hamilton Field (I am the exclusive marketing agent for this project), located adjacent to South Gate, are expected to be completed in June 2010. We expect that the first homes will be ready for occupancy in August 2010. Pricing will begin in the mid-$800,000’s. Interest surrounding this new luxury community has been significant. Please call me at (415) 350-9440 for more information. Or visit our website at www.TheLandingNovato.com.
Again, if you would like me to run the exact numbers for your Novato neighborhood or if you have any questions about Novato’s many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440. My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a Broker, Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Marin Real Estate (Pacific Union International). It is always my pleasure to be of service.
Marin Luxury Report (April 2009)
July 10, 2009
Despite my self-imposed limited media diet, I do read headlines. And the headlines are becoming more optimistic. This is a prerequisite for increased buyer confidence. I remain convinced that with minimal social proof, buyers will return to the market and pent-up demand will create a surge in sales figures. Increased conforming loan limits and a pronounced level of increased affordability across the board is a recipe for sales. Buyers with 25% down (and who otherwise qualify) will be able to obtain top-shelf financing for purchases of a little over $1.6 million. While that is not “Luxury” territory here in Marin, many potential move-up buyers of luxury homes must sell their homes first (it is said that 80% of buyers are also sellers) and this will be a big step in the right direction. And interest rates are a full 1-point lower today than they were last year. Certainly, the pump is primed as there are nearly 60 active escrows on homes priced $1 million and up (again, move-up buyers typically need to sell their current home). For national trends, click here — April 2009, Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Note, if you would like a local report relating to any town or zip code in Marin or San Francisco, call (415) 350-9440.
[Click HERE for the rest of the report, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com.]
Marin Real Estate (April 2009)
July 10, 2009
March 2009 new escrows up 17% from March 2008 (and 58% from February 2009) – In Marin County our most reliable indicator of changing market conditions is new escrow activity. New escrow activity bottomed out in December 2008 and began a modest ascent through January and February 2009. I believe the sharp increase in new escrows in March 2009 is a combination of demand returning to our market and the cyclical nature of the business. It stands to reason that thought is that April and May closings will rise accordingly.
Another interesting trend is the surge of activity in central and southern Marin. In the first half of 2008, nearly 60% of the units sold were in central and southern Marin. By January 2009, largely a result of the October 2008 stock market meltdown, this activity gradually fell to 37% of the units sold in Marin. In February and March 2009 the percentage rebounded to nearly 50% of the county’s activity.This upbeat trend in central and southern Marin is consistent with the activity in my business and a solid sign of strengthening buyer confidence. We expect a strengthening Spring season in Marin County real estate.
[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.NorthBayRE.com.]
Novato Real Estate Market Update (April 2009 Home Sales Report)
April 15, 2009
While the pipeline of new properties and overall inventory levels increases dramatically throughout most of Marin County, CA. (this is the prime selling season, after all), Novato’s inventory level remains at a seasonally adjusted low with just 152 single family homes for sale. There were 142 homes for sale in March 2009. Perhaps we are on the back side of the distressed property curve. Meanwhile, the absorption rate (e.g., the number of months of inventory currently available in Novato) dipped dramatically from 7.9 months in March to 6 months today (note: earlier this year, we were down to 4.5 months due to the large number of sales in December 2008). Absorption rates and the days on market averages provide a telling insight into the overall state of the market. More on this below.
As mentioned in prior months’ market updates, it seems that buyers are hypnotized and mesmerized by foreclosures and short sales — as if these properties hold some promise of value and an assurance of happiness. But, instead many buyers of these homes would do it differently if given another chance. After all, many of these homes are in rotten condition and entail lots of work. Wise buyers focus on real value and keep attuned to the benefits of homes that display “pride of ownership.” Not that all distressed sales are problem properties, but caveat emptor for those lured by the siren call of distress. Indeed, investors and buyers who have been burned by the short sale process — it can take months if the proper process is not followed or the banks do not issue approvals — are focused mainly on well priced homes without the strings of REO properties.
Of course, there is ample value out there in virtually all price ranges. Prices in most Novato neighborhoods are back down to what they were in 2003 (and 2002, in some neighborhoods). Novato currently has eleven active listings priced under $400,000 (Novato is Marin’s “Valhalla of Value”). This number is down by almost 33% from two months ago as value shoppers are picking up these investment quality homes. In addition, the number of homes priced under $500,000 is way down — there are just 30 available as of this writing (in this price range 53% of listings are in escrow). There are a total of 99 homes under $600,000 (with, again, 53% in escrow).
As noted last month, Novato is also experiencing a surge in $1 million and up escrows. In contrast to other parts of Marin County, Novato is experiencing a 26% escrow rate for homes in the $1 million to $1.5 million price range. My prediction relating to phantom buyers is coming true. I hold open houses almost every weekend and I talk to a lot of buyers. Here is my observation: there are LOTS of people who sold over the past couple of years and who have waiting for prices to dip. Fortunately for these folks, interest rates are also down right now and so they are jumping in. Many of these people sold in Southern and Central Marin and see the extreme value and comfortable existence Novato provides. As anticipated, given this trend and demographic, the move-up price band in Novato (with homes priced between $750K and $1 million) is slow with just 17% of these homes in escrow.
|
Price Range |
Total Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $500K |
64 |
53% |
|
500K - $600K |
35 |
51% |
|
$600K - $750K |
43 |
35% |
|
$750K - $1 mil. |
52 |
17% |
|
$1 mil. - $1.5 mil. |
34 |
26% |
|
$1.5 mil. & Up |
11 |
18% |
Twenty-five Novato homes sold in February 2009 (up from 16 in February 2009). That is an increase in sales of 56%. Compare that the overall number of sales in Marin this year, which is down 60%. Interesting stuff. These Novato homes averaged about 97 days on market, were about 2,050 sq. ft., and sold for an average sales price of $586,000 (roughly $292 per sq. ft.). Homes in Pointe Marin, Country Club, Hamilton Field, Rush Creek, and Bel Marin Keys generated the most calls and showings this past month. If you are thinking of buying, please call my office at (415) 350-9440 as I have a long list of people who would like to sell their homes, but because of market conditions are not quite ready to list their home officially. I am also receiving many call regarding lease-options. Insofar as my listings are concerned, three of five are in escrow and I have an outstanding offer on another. From my perspective, the market seems pretty active.
For a brief explanation of the importance of the statistic addressing the percentage of “Pending” listings, click HERE. If you would like me to run the exact numbers for your neck of the woods or have any questions about Novato’s many delightful neighborhoods, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440. My name is Kyle Frazier, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), with Morgan Lane Marin Real Estate. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
Now that the southbound portion of the HWY 101 widening project has been completed for a little over a month, it is clear that the commute through San Rafael is very much improved. Even salty, hardened naysayers concede that the drive to work is now just a drive, not a battle–estimates range from 25-35 minutes saved each day since the completion of the project. As I have been saying for 2 years, the improved commute will certainly make Novato a viable choice for those who had sworn it off because of the traffic. Moreover, the first-time home buyer credit of $8,000 (this is a flat out gift from the government) certainly helps those who qualify. As I tell my clients, “Give Yourself a Raise. Move to Novato.”
