Marin Luxury Homes (May 2009)

Real estate sales in Marin County’s luxury segment are currently weighted towards homes priced under $4 million. In fact, not a single home priced above $4 million is in escrow (although that could change in a moment as the domino effect is very real in home sales). But, as it stands, the ultra-luxury home sales segment is flat-lining in Marin County, CA. For a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, click here (May 17, 2009 Report). Note, if you would like a local report relating to any town or zip code in Marin or San Francisco, call me at (415) 350-9440.

Yet, the news relating to home starts and permit applications is improving: the West experienced a 42.5% jump in housing starts; the National Association of Homebuilders reported increased confidence (as high as it has been in 9 months); and construction and permits both rose last month (these are considered leading indicators on the macro level relating to housing stability). Nonetheless, the inertia of caution remains firm.

Buyers are dubious of price stability for good reason (see chart below reflecting year over year prices in Tiburon, Mill Valley, and Kentfield). But, increased conforming loan limits and a pronounced level of increased affordability across the board should help sales moving forward into the Summer as buyers with 25% down will obtain top-shelf financing for purchases of $1.6 million. While not “Luxury” territory here in Marin, many buyers of luxury homes must sell their current homes first (80% of buyers are sellers).

[Click HERE for the rest of the report, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com.]

Marin Luxury Homes (June 2008)

Marin County’s $2 million to $4 million luxury home market saw a slight rise in the number of homes for sale this past month with 127 active listings, compared to 124 homes last month. This mild rise in inventory was accompanied by a strong month of sales–25 homes sold (the same number of luxury homes closed in April 2008). Worth noting here is the fact that although the number of non-luxury homes sold this year compared to last year is down significantly (e.g., about 20%), the luxury market has NOT experienced a similar decline. Great news for owners of luxury homes in Marin.

Mill Valley accounted for the greatest number of luxury home sales with 6. Sausalito, Tiburon, Kentfield, and Ross had 3 sales each, Belvedere and Larkspur had 2, and Corte Madera, Greenbrae, and San Anselmo had a 1 sale each. The average days on market for homes that sold was a mere 67 days and the average sales price was just over $2.8 million (roughly $821/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,461 square feet.

The inventory level in Marin County’s ultra-luxury market (homes priced in the $4 million and up range) also rose–to 46 active listings, compared with 44 last month. 

[ ... click here for the complete report courtesy of NorthBayRE.com].