San Rafael CA Real Estate Market Report (December 2009 Home Sales Update)
December 16, 2009
San Rafael, California real estate sales were brisk in November 2009, with 48 trades, up from 31 in September 2009. The entry level price band (under $600K) remains at hot, with 58% of home now in escrow. Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band (a mix of entry level and move-up homes) has also seen a rise in the percentage of homes in escrow — 53%.
It is no secret that our current real estate environment in San Rafael favors buyers, not only because of the state of the market, but also because of superior interest rates, FHA loan availability (allowing purchase loans up to $729,000 with 3.5% down), and a shifting mindset by both buyers (who are ready to pull the trigger) and sellers (who are ready to do what it takes to sell). Meanwhile, housing inventory for single family homes fell to 78 homes (from 135 last month).
As reported this Summer, San Rafael listing prices experienced a brief rise from March to June, but that trend has reversed and resumed its downward trajectory. By comparison, asking prices in Novato have been rising for several months, leading many to believe that the bottom has formed in Novato. It does not appear this transition has fully settled in San Rafael.
Of the 48 homes sold in November 2009, the average days on market was 110 days, the average sales price was $771,582, and the average home size was 1,933 square feet — roughly $402 per sq. ft. (the average price per square foot has remained virtually unchanged for several months). Homes in Lucas Valley, The Dominican, Terra Linda North, and Peacock Gap generated the most calls and showings this past month.
| Price Range | Total Homes | Percent Pending |
| Up to $600K | 38 | 58% |
| $600K - $800K | 32 | 53% |
| $800K - $1 mil. | 32 | 38% |
| $1 mil. - 1.5 mil. | 22 | 27% |
| $1.5 mil. - $2 mil. | 9 | 22% |
| $2 mil. & Up | 4 | 0% |
If you would like me to run the exact numbers for your San Rafael neighborhood or if you have any questions about our many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440.
Kyle Frazier, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Realtors | Pacific Union International. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
San Rafael CA Real Estate Market Report (October 2009 Home Sales Update)
October 15, 2009
San Rafael, California’s real estate market continues leaning heavily on foreclosures and short sales for volume. The entry level price band (under $600K) remains at a slow boil with 64% of home are now in escrow, same as last month. Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band (a mix of entry level and move-up homes) rose to 38% of homes in escrow from 31% in September 2009).
It is no secret that our current real estate environment favors buyers, not only because of the state of the market (e.g., prices back down to 2003 levels in many cases), but also because of superior interest rates, FHA loan availability (allowing purchase loans up to $729,000 with 3.5% down), and a shifting mindset by both buyers (who are ready to pull the trigger) and sellers (who are ready to do what it takes to sell).
Housing inventory for single family homes in San Rafael fell to 154 homes (from 169 last month). It is interesting to note that while San Rafael’s inventory has risen and its percentage of homes in escrow has dropped, Novato (the next city north) has experienced the opposite. In fact, in the move up market, Novato sales rates eclipse San Rafael’s by a long-shot.
As reported this Summer, San Rafael listing prices experienced a brief rise, but that trend has reversed and resumed its downward trajectory. By comparison, asking prices in Novato have been rising for several months, leading many to believe that the bottom has formed in Novato. It does not appear this phenomenon is being replicated in San Rafael.
Thirty-one homes sold in September 2009. The average days on market was 109 days, the average sales price was $710,946 (down from $846,194 last month) and the average home size was 1,822 square feet — roughly $402 per sq. ft. (despite the dip average sales price, the price per square foot remained virtually unchanged). Homes in Lucas Valley, The Dominican, Terra Linda North, and Peacock Gap generated the most calls and showings this past month.
| Price Range | Total Homes | Percent Pending |
| Up to $600K | 45 | 64% |
| $600K - $800K | 89 | 38% |
| $800K - $1 mil. | 50 | 20% |
| $1 mil. - 1.5 mil. | 34 | 24% |
| $1.5 mil. - $2 mil. | 10 | 0% |
| $2 mil. & Up | 10 | 40% |
If you would like me to run the exact numbers for your San Rafael neighborhood or if you have any questions about our many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440. My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a Broker, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane International Real Estate. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
San Rafael CA Real Estate Market Report (June 2009 Home Sales Update)
June 13, 2009
Moving into the Summer, San Rafael CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) has been hot (64% of homes in escrow). Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band has seen a surge in activity with 38% of these homes in escrow, up from 29% in May 2009. Increased affordability, low interest rates (although not as low as they were), an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset are all resulting in a strengthening market. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit. It will be interesting to see if the government expands the credit to include ALL buyers and increases the credit amount to $15,000 — that would make a big difference for a lot of people. Overall, the number of homes on the market fell to 168 homes (from 179 last month).
Forty homes sold in May 2009 (up from 26 in April 2009). The average days on market was 99 days, the average sales price was $763,000, and the average home size was 1,902 square feet — roughly $411 per sq. ft. The hottest neighborhoods: Lucas Valley, The Dominican, and Forbes remain very attractive to many buyers, as do Terra Linda, Trestle Glen, Los Ranchitos, and Glenwood. Finally, if you know anyone interested in a very well maintained Eichler with a wonderful patio, please let me know as I have clients considering a move if the right buyer comes along.
|
Price Range |
Total Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $600K |
45 (down 3) |
64% |
|
$600K - $800K |
84 (down 2) |
38% |
|
$800K - $1 mil. |
48 (no change) |
29% |
|
$1 mil. - 1.5 mil. |
43 (down 4) |
9% |
|
$1.5 mil. - $2 mil. |
22 (up 3) |
9% |
|
$2 mil. & Up |
9 (down 2) |
22% |
If you have any questions regarding the current real estate market in San Rafael (Marin County, CA), California, please contact Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, Morgan Lane Marin Real Estate: (415) 350-9440.
San Rafael CA Real Estate Market Report (May 2009 Home Sales Update)
May 14, 2009
As noted last month, San Rafael CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) is just on fire with “fire sale” prices. We are currently experiencing an amazing 69% pending ratio for homes priced at or below $600K (up from 31% in February). San Rafael’s bread and butter homes, priced between $600K and $800K continue selling at a moderate pace with 29% of homes are in escrow. Increasing affordability, low interest rates on conforming loans, an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset are all resulting in a strengthening market. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit.
Overall, the number of homes on the market rose slightly with 179 homes (up from 174 last month and about 135 last year at this time). What is striking is the comparison between this month in 2006 and today. See below for more on this.
Twenty-six homes sold in April 2009 (up from 19 in March 2009). The average days on market was 118 days, the average sales price was $680,000, square footage was 1,791–roughly $383 per sq. ft. By contrast, in 2006 46 homes sold for an average price of $1.1 million (about $497/sq. ft.). Moreover, the homes sold in half the time (53 days). While the times have changed, the hottest neighborhoods have not: Lucas Valley, The Dominican, and Forbes remain very attractive to many buyers, as to Terra Linda, Trestle Glen, Los Ranchitos, and Glenwood. Finally, if you know anyone interested in a very well maintained Eichler with a wonderful patio, please let me know as I have clients considering a move if the right buyer comes along.
|
Price Range |
Total Homes |
Pending Listings |
|
Up to $600K |
48 (down 4) |
69% |
|
$600K - $800K |
86 (up 21) |
29% |
|
$800K - $1 mil. |
48 (up 7) |
29% |
|
$1 mil. - 1.5 mil. |
47 (up 4) |
6% |
|
$1.5 mil. - $2 mil. |
19 (down 2) |
16% |
|
$2 mil. & Up |
11 (down 2) |
9% |
If you have any questions regarding the current real estate market in San Rafael (Marin County), California, please contact Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, Morgan Lane Marin: (415) 350-9440.
