Bay Area Real Estate Sales

September '05 BayAreaRealEstateSales Newsletter

Bay Area Real Estate Sales.com Newsletter

September 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

Marin & San Francisco Home Sales Statistics

13 Extra Costs to be Aware of Before Buying a Home

In Wake of Hurricane, Mortgage Rates May Fall Further

NAHB Releases Study On Impact Of Katrina

Bathroom Interior Design

Pending Home Sales Index Slips, Remains High

Fast Facts

Marin & San Francisco Home Sales Statistics

According to the statistics below, the Marin real estate market overall trend still seems to be cooling, as 36% of all homes are currently in contract, as opposed to 40% last period and 46% the period before. The market seems to have leaned towards a Buyers Market finally in the towns of Belvedere, Kentfield, Ross and Tiburon, but again, it's important to look at the whole picture which includes price range. For example, homes priced under $1 Million are still considered to be in a "Sellers Market," and homes priced from $1M to $1.5M are considered to be in a "Balanced Market". So even though you may have heard of inventory increasing, don't be looking for any bargains under $1.5M. The overall Marin Market shows it to still be a "Sellers Market".

San Francisco has cooled slightly to become a "Sellers Market" (instead of a "Strong Sellers Market,") with an average of 45% of homes in contract as compared to 50% last period.; in fact, all homes priced under $1M are still considered to be in a "Sellers Market."

Marin Home Sales Statistics - by city as of 9/11/05
City	Total	Active	Number in Contract***	Percent in Contract*	Type of Market* (See Key)
Belvedere	25	20	5	20%	Strong Buyers
Corte Madera	22	11	11	50%	Strong Sellers
Fairfax	24	16	8	33%	Balanced
Greenbrae	18	10	8	44%	Sellers
Kentfield	28	20	3	27%	Buyers
Larkspur	11	8	3	27%	Buyers
Mill Valley	129	80	49	38%	Sellers
Novato	253	145	108	43%	Sellers
Ross	20	16	4	20%	Strong Buyers
San Anselmo	59	40	19	32%	Balanced
San Rafael	204	130	74	36%	Sellers
Sausalito	66	44	22	33%	Balanced
Tiburon	76	57	18	24%	Buyers
Others	77	54	23	30%	Buyers
Total Marin 9/11/05	1,012	651	361	36%	Sellers
Total Marin 7/15/05	1,030	616	414	40%	Sellers
Total Marin 5/25/05	940	503	437	46%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 4/10/05	738	370	368	50%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 3/3/05	659	331	328	50%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 2/1/05	460	265	195	42%	Sellers
Total Marin 1/10/05	458	246	212	46%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 12/6/04	756	367	389	51%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 11/4/04	927	489	438	47%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 10/5/04	968	564	404	42%	Sellers

Marin Home Sales Statistics - by price range as of 9/11/05
Price	Total	Active	Number in Contract***	Percent in Contract*	Type of Market* (See Key)
$500,000-$749,999	201	93	108	54%	Strong Sellers
$750,000-$999,999	239	136	103	43%	Sellers
$1,000,000-$1,499,999	206	149	57	28%	Balanced
$1,500,000-$1,999,999	97	66	35	36%	Sellers
$2,000,000-$,2499,999	50	40	10	20%	Strong Buyers
$2,500,000-$2,999,999	44	36	8	18%	Strong Buyers
$3,000,000-$3,999,999	43	36	7	16%	Strong Buyers
Over $4,000,000	54	52	2	4%	Ext Buyers
Total Marin 9/11/05	1,012	621	361	36%	Sellers
Total Marin 7/15/05	1,030	616	414	40%	Sellers
Total Marin 5/25/05	940	503	437	46%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 4/10/05	770	390	380	49%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 3/03/05	659	331	328	50%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 2/01/05	498	293	205	41%	Sellers
Total Marin 1/10/05	458	246	212	46%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 12/4/04	756	367	389	51%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 11/4/04	927	489	438	47%	Strong Sellers
Total Marin 10/5/04	968	564	404	42%	Strong Sellers

San Francisco Home Sales Statistics - by price range as of 9/11/05
Price	Total	Active	Number in Contract***	Percent in Contract*	Type of Market* (See Key)
$100,000-$749,000	989	462	527	53%	Strong Sellers
$750,000-$999,000	461	286	175	38%	Sellers
$1,000,000-$1,499,000	160	105	55	34%	Balanced
$1,500,000-$1,999,000	59	40	19	32%	Balanced
$2,000,000-$2,499,000	30	24	6	20%	Strong Buyers
$2,500,000-$2,999,000	19	15	4	21%	Buyers
$3,000,000-$3,999,000	10	6	4	40%	Sellers