Statistics show: Sales are up. Sales are down.

Statistics describe what the person pulling and defining the statistical parameters chooses to show.

Comparing the closed Marin sales from the second quarter of 2007 with 2009, notice that there are two Marin markets – lower end, running successfully, sort of; and the top end, which remains tough.

(For many years in Marin $1M has been the default or traditional division between starter homes (ha!) and other homes. $3M and above is the luxury home market and over $10M remains rock star territory.)

  • Under $1M in 2007’s second quarter our multiple listing service showed 297 sales. In 2009 there were 305 sales. Stable (although sales volume dipped 25% in 2008).

  • Days on market before sale was exceptionally long in the under $1M category, an indicator that many of those 305 sales this year were bank negotiated ‘short sales’ [which take a long time to close escrow].

  • Sales above $3M has declined from 49 sales to 9 sales. A huge decline.

From my friend Steve Dickason a chart showing the ‘tale of two markets’ – a price range description of our local market. It compares how many homes are ‘pending sales’ versus the inventory (supply of homes defined by how many months it would take to sell off our current inventory). A perfectly clear X marks the spot graph.

The value of the foregoing is that I’m here if you need me – to determine what will work for you and what won’t, to sell your home or help you in any way. I’m easy to reach – blog, email, call and I’ll be there for you.

Posted by:Tom Verkozen