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Single Women Homebuyers – A Powerful Market Niche

Guys – the statistics are out and they speak for themselves; women out-purchase us in the real estate market two-to-one!  National data for the year ending last June reveals that single women accounted for 21% of all home purchases, to 10% of purchases for single men. That may just be an eye-opener for many of us in the business.   Such a significant demographic group deserves to be both recognized and well-served by the real estate and financing industries.  Click on the link below to read an excellent article on this subject posted by Marilyn Kennedy Malia on Bankrate.com:

“4 Tips for Single, Female Homebuyers”

Paul Gonzales, Sales Manager, Countywide Mortgage (760) 746-7388 or paulforloans@aol.com

Valley Center 92082 Homes Sold November 2009

Valley Center Market Trends November 2009

The last time we looked at market activity in Valley Center was in our report Valley Center, CA Homes Sold August 2009. 

At that time we were seeing significant increases in the average sold price from the prior report in July. 

For the month of August there was a total of 17 closed sales.  Now this is an area of significant difference for the month of November in which we see that only 6 properties have closed escrow. 

It is typical to see this slow down of activity for this time of year. 

More people are focused on family and holidays at this time of year and home buying is not as much a priority. 

This is good news for the home buyers  that are still actively looking because now they have less competition and the sellers are more likely to look at their offers and agree to more favorable terms.

Some other differences we see are the average days on market for the sold row.  In August the average was 101 days.  This is very likely due to the time it takes to get through a short sale, not for lack of interested buyers.  In November that figure was cut in half to just 50 days average market time.

The price per sq. foot has come down from $173.56 to $143.56.  This is only due to the fact that more people bought toward the lower end of the spectrum than the higher end homes in the month of November.

Values in Valley Center are some of the best you can find in all of San Diego County.  As you can see in our chart, most of the homes are around 2800 to 3000 sq. feet.  Where else in San Diego County or in SoCal for that matter, can you get that level of home for that price?  As well as lot size.  The one thing Valley Center has that other areas do not, is elbow room.  Most of the lot sizes are at least a couple of acres.  Even the homes in the gated community developments in Valley Center are of substantial size, at least a half acre or so.

The bottom line is, if you want a great place to live at a  great price, check out Valley Center and see all that it has to offer.

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 or 760-580-1630

San Marcos, CA Homes Sold August 2009

Current Market Trends San Marcos, CA

San Marcos Market Trends August 2009

It has been 3 months since we last looked at the San Marcos area’s market activity.   Our last look was in our article San Marcos Homes Sold May 2009.

At that time we thought  perhaps we had seen the bottom of the market and were beginning to head upward.

In todays report, it looks like we may have been right.   The average sold price of homes in San Marcos in August was $424,490.  In May the average sold price was $405,574. 

That’s a pretty significant increase in just 3 months.   Another significant difference is the number of active listings.  Currently there are 110, in May there were 145.

San Marcos is a very desirable area.  We have several buyers that are looking for a nice family home to settle into here.  The problem is there are just not enough homes to sell.

The majority of buyers are qualifying in the range of $350,000 to $400,000. 

It seems that the popular areas are Santa Fe Hills and Discovery Hills.  Though there  are several really nice communities in San Marcos, these two areas seem to be priced between the high $300,000’s to the low $400,000’s.  Just right for the average buyer.

Many of the first time home buyers are finding their dream homes here.

If you have a home in the San Marcos area, and you have been considering selling, you may be very pleasantly surprised at how quickly your home will sell in this current market, and the price that you may recieve.

Give us a call for if you are curious about the value of your own home or any home in the San Diego County area.

We’re here to help and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 and 760-580-1630

Valley Center, CA Homes Sold August 2009

Current Market Trends For Valley Center, CA August 2009

Homes Sold Valley Center August 2009

Well, it has been about a month since we last looked at market activity in the Valley Center area.

In Our last report, Valley Center Homes Sold July 2009 we recognized a significant increase in the average SOLD price, from $388,278 in May to $416,813 in July. 

The trend for August continues to increase the average sold price for Valley Center to $444,823.  This is good news for Valley Center home sellers and it is still very affordable for home buyers.

The average Days On Market has increased a bit  in the Sold row this month, this could be due to some of those dreaded short sales finally closing escrow.

There isn’t much difference in the amount of inventory  in any catagory in either report, this area remains about the same.

Most properties in Valley Center are very different.  That’s one reason this area is so interesting.

This chart only shows the overall activity.  Every property will have it’s own value based on several different factors.

If you are curious about the value of your own home, give us a call for a free, no obligation personalized Market Analysis.

We’re here to help and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615

Fallbrook / Bonsall, CA Homes Sold July 2009

Current Market Trends for Fallbrook and Bonsall CA

Fallbrook / Bonsall Market Trends

Fallbrook and Bonsall are areas we havent watched much lately, but there has been some significant activity in these two areas that is worth a quick look.

This area consists of mostly rural type properties on larger lots.  There arent really very many so-called Average homes in Fallbrook and Bonsall.  They are usually pretty unique with character all their own.

But as we take a look at our chart here, the average list price shows it to be $905,776. 

That figure might shy away many prospective buyers, but  a closer look and a more true picture of the values in this area is shown in the Sold and Pending rows of the chart.

It is true that there are many spectacular properties that are priced well over a million dollars and well worth every penny of it, but you can also find some very good values in the Fallbrook / Bonsall area too.

The average Sold price is $422,690 with and average square footage of 2331.   Now that is still quite affordable and reasonable for most buyers today.

If you are tired of battling against other buyers for smaller properties in other San Diego County cities, why not take a quick jont up to Fallbrook and Bonsall and see what they have to offer.  You may be quite surprised at what you find and Im sure you will be pleased by the unique properties and scenery you will see.

If you would like more information on Fallbrook or Bonsall properties, give us a call or browse the MLS through our VIP home seach on our home page.

We are always here to help, and we answer our phones.

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 or 760-580-1630

Carlsbad, CA Homes Sold July 2009

Current Market Trends for Carlsbad, CA July 2009

If you have been paying attention to the News lately you are beginning to hear more positive comments regarding the Real Estate Market. 

There is clear evidence of an upward trend in the Carlsbad Real Estate Market.

In our last report Homes Sold Carlsbad April 2009, which is typically a pretty active month for Real Estate, we saw there were a total of 61 homes sold in the 4 zip codes of Carlsbad for that month.

That figure increased to 82 for the month of July, with and average Sold price being $715,756 only slightly down from April which was $737,415.

Another notable difference in the 2 reports are the number of active listings.  In April there were a total of 419.  In todays report there are only 355 combining the active and contingent listings.

One important factor that is not shown in this chart is the number of Short Sales and Foreclosures that are include this mix.  The Carlsbad area has fortunately been less affected by these distressed type properties as other areas of the San Diego North County such as their neighboring coastal city of Oceanside.

Of the 82 properties sold in July, only 7 of them were short sales, and of the 287 active properties, only 32 are short sales.  As for bank owned or REO properties in this area, there are only 20 that are currently active and 8 sold.

All in all it appears that this area has recovered rather nicely from the last couple of years down turn in the market.

As always, people will find the ways and the means to live near the beach, especially this desirable and well maintained community.

If you are curious about the value of your home or would like to know the values of homes in any area of San Diego County, feel free to give us a call or an email.  We are here to help and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 or 760-580-1630

Escondido Homes Sold June 2009

Current Market Trends For Escondido, CA  June 2009

Escondido Market Trends June 2009

The last time we looked at the market activity in Escondido was in March of 2009.  

To see how things have changed over the last 3 months, take a look at our article, Escondido Homes Sold March 2009. 

Here you will see a slight upward trend.  Are we now looking past the bottom of the market? 

In the stats shown here, you will see that the Sold Price per square foot has inched up slightly from $160.17 to $170.76 and the average sold price went  from $301,655.00 to $348,329.00.

Another area that is noteworthy is the current active listings.  

This months chart has added a new catagory, CONTINGENT.    This row of information pertains to properties that currently have an offer on them and are waiting for approval by the lender for a short sale. 

They are still active listings, but they are currently in somewhat of a Limbo position, unable to move from active to an actual pending status.  So this shows a more accurate picture of available properties.

Available properties has recently become a very desirable commodity.  With all the activity of late, we are seeing less and less properties available for buyers who are ready, willing and able to pull the trigger. 

When there is a well priced property available, there will be multiple offers submitted very quickly, and your chances of actually aquiring that property can be very slim. 

Your offer needs to be your strongest, highest and best right off the bat.  This is not the market to expect to lowball and work through negotiations to come to an agreement.   A Solid downpayment, solid offer that is at or above the listing price is becoming the norm for these types of properties.

For home sellers, if you were waiting for the market to turn until you listed your home, you might take a look at what your home is worth today, you may be pleasantly surprised.  A property that has no bank involvment such as a short sale or an REO, is becoming verydesirable.  Buyers are tired of jumping through hoops for these bank owned properties or short sales.

If you would like more information on the value of your home, or are thinking about jumping into this now VERY HOT market, give us a call, we are here to help, and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 and 760-580-1630

Carlsbad Homes Sold June 2009

Current Market Trends For Carlsbad, CA June 2009

Carlsbad Market Up Date June 2009

Well the market continues to hold  strong in this desirable Coastal Community of Carlsbad, CA with 67 homes SOLD in the month of June, and another 171 currently pending sale.

There is still plenty of available inventory waiting for an offer too.   Of the 391 active listings, 59 of them are in Contingent status, which means they are most likely short sales with an accepted offer waiting for bank approval.

The average list price shown here is a bit skewed this month by one rogue listing at $10,800,000.00.  Without that listing throwing things out of whack, the true average priced home in Carlsbad is somewhere between $678,000 to $745,000.

The average sold price has come down a bit since the last report in April 2009 which was $737,415, GREAT NEWS for buyers

Still a very affordable place to purchase a home and enjoy all the amenities this popular beach community has to offer. 

If you would like current market trends for your area, just give us a call, we are here to help, and we answer our phones!

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 or 760-580-1630

Valley Center Homes Sold May 2009

Current Market Trends For Valley Center, CA
May 2009
 

Valley Center Market Trends May 2009

Valley Center is showing strong signs of Market Recovery.  Take a look at the row of current Pending listings. 

In the month of May there were 19 homes sold at an average sale price of  $388,278.00

The up and coming sales located in the Pending row show the average list price to be $469,262.00  Now we all know that figure will come down a bit when they actually do close escrow, but it does appear that the values are heading in a positive direction.

If you want to do a quick comparison from the last time we looked at Valley Center, take a look at our article Valley Center Homes Sold March 2009.  Take a look at the increase in the price per Sq. Ft. in the Pending and the Sold rows for May compared to March.

All in all, buyers still have some great opportunities here.  This is an area that has been unspoiled by commercialism.  Valley Center has maintained its country charm and style even with the growth of the newer home developments.

If you are tired of the intense lifestyle of the busy cities and paying high dollar for very little house, come take a look at all that Valley Center has to offer with its magnificent miles of views and clear fresh air, and oh yes,… fantastic home values!

If you are curious about this sleepy little town and its value, give us a call, this is just one of our areas of expertise.

Pam and Joanna
760-580-1615 or 760-580-1630