Kyle Frazier, CRS & Marin CA Realtor

Much like August 2011, Novato, CA home sales continued to surpass expectations in September 2011, which is traditionally a very slow month for closings in Marin County. Indeed, buyers continue to move very quickly on well-priced and/or unique real estate opportunities. The average sales price of Novato homes has swung wildly this year from month to month. For example, the average sale price in June was $626K. In September it was $530K. September’s trades averaged 117 days on market, were about 1,870 sq. ft., and averaged roughly $258 sq. ft. Novato’s absorption rate (e.g., number of months’ inventory of homes for sale based on last month’s sales totals) continues to hover in historically low territory with just 3.39 months’ worth of available inventory overall (112 single family homes are actively for sale in Novato). The hottest component of the Novato real estate market is the entry level — homes priced under $500K — where 61% of homes are in escrow and inventory is so tight that the absorption rate is less than 2 month’s worth of inventory.

Below are the percentages of homes in escrow in each of Novato’s major price bands:

■61% of homes priced under $500,000;
■43% of homes between $501,000 and $750,000;
■19% of homes between $751,000 and $1 million;
■15% of homes between $1 million and up.

Of the 33 homes that sold in September 2011:

■16 homes were priced under $500,000;
■13 homes priced from $501,00 to $1 million; and
■1 home priced from $1 million and up.

Homes in The Landing at Hamilton Field, Breakers at Pointe Marin, Country Club, Rush Creek, and Bel Marin Keys generated the most calls and showings this past month. If you would like me to run the exact numbers for your Novato neighborhood or if you have any questions about Novato’s many delightful communities, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 . My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a J.D., Broker, Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), with Christie’s Great Estates | Pacific Union International Real Estate. It is always my pleasure to be of service.

The Landing at Hamilton Field — NEW CONSTRUCTION. Prices start in the mid – $700′s. With several recent closings, we only have two more currently available. Please call me at (415) 350-9440 for more information. Or visit our website at www.TheLandingNovato.com

Despite formidable world events over the past few months, the roiling volatility of the equity markets (although things seem to have settled of late), and increased gas prices, the first quarter of 2011 experienced positive trends in many San Francisco Bay Area real estate markets. Properties selling below $1 million, which are over 70% of the closings in the six counties served by Pacific Union International, are experiencing modest to very favorable increases in units sold. In many markets we are enjoying units sold up nearly double the closings in the marketplace from Q1 2009. A refreshing trend which we feel is always a precursor, albeit by twelve to eighteen months, to value/price appreciation.

Most importantly we are experiencing a recovery in our clients’ confidence. We believe this is a result of historic low interest rates, stabilized pricing in our real estate markets and a general feeling that “the worst” is behind us and that 2011 may be a better year than we expected in late 2010.

In Marin County we have begun to experience a refreshing rebound in units sold in the high end (over $1 million), this trend extends to northern Napa County, the Town of Sonoma, and San Francisco as well. This activity at the high-end will begin to motivate the “move-up” buyers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result, we expect more favorable results in our local market segment throughout 2011.

[Click here for the rest of this article, courtesy of www.NorthBayRE.com]

Pacific Union Int’l – Christie’s Great Estates | Marin County, CA Luxury Home Sales (May 2011). As expected, April 2011 luxury home sales increased — we had 14 trades (there were 9 in January and just 7 in February 2011). While international events of the past several months have been a roller coaster, it appears the stock market’s rally is unabated. Many believe that the overall economic and housing environments are improving, particularly in the Bay Area where the recovery in real estate is being spearheaded by San Francisco. There are extraordinary opportunities available right now for buyers. Pricing in the marketplace (especially for homes that started off overpriced) is soft and “value” is evident in virtually every corner and every price segment of the luxury market. In line with normal seasonal adjustments, the inventory of luxury homes has risen over the past month — 144 properties are in the MLS over $2 million in Marin (this is somewhat lower than years past as many home value have dipped below $2 million).

Marin County cities recording luxury home sales between $2 million and $4 million in March 2011 included: Tiburon (2), Belvedere (4); Kentfield (2), and Mill Valley (1); Greenbrae (2); San Anselmo (1). These homes averaged 90 days on market. Their average sales price was $2.699 million (roughly $802 per square foot), with an average of 3,511 square feet. Marin County’s ultra-luxury market (homes priced in the $4 million and up range) accounted for two sales last month (one in Mill Valley and the other in Kentfield) and there are currently three more of these homes in escrow.

Note: As a member of the Top Agent Network (top 10% in Marin) and the Marin Platinum Group (Top 100 agents), I have access to a database with several dozen luxury homes not currently on the MLS, but discretely offered for sale off-market. Please contact me regarding your specific desires.

By: Kyle Frazier, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Broker Associate, Realtor | Christie’s Great Estates — Christie’s Great Estates. Call Kyle Frazier at 415/350-9440 for more luxury home market information in Marin County, California (the San Francisco Bay Area’s “North Bay”).

March and April 2011 home sales in Mill Valley increased dramatically over the prior three months — we had 27 trades in March and 19 in April (up from 13 in January!). These properties sold for an average price of $1.265 million and averaged 2,369 sq. ft. (or about $542 per sq. ft.). Pricing remains the key ingredient determining buyer interest. Buyers insist on apparent and undeniable value. If they don’t see it in a property, they are willing to wait it out. Now, more than ever, is the time for sellers to be very careful about who they have negotiating for them — poor negotiating by “say anything” agents can result in losses of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The number of listings actively on the market in the MLS has increased as we enter the primary selling season to 118. The percentage of homes in escrow:

• Under $800,ooo — 48%
• $800,000 to $1 million — 24%
• $1 million to $1.5 million — 33%
• $1.5 million to $2 million — 20%
• Above $2 million — 0%

Listings in Strawberry, Boyle Park and Homestead Valley generated the most calls this month.

If you would like more information about neighborhoods, sales, schools, or local Mill Valley services references, just give me a call at (415) 350-9440 or e-mail me at Kyle@MillValley101.com. I currently have several clients who want to sell, but are waiting in the wings for Spring 2011. Please contact me to determine if any of these opportunities fit your needs. I am also a member of the Top Agent Network and Marin Platinum Group with access to dozens of homes not “officially” on the market but available for sale.

If you would like my Mill Valley Hot List, e-mail me. It is always my pleasure to be of service. Christie’s Great Estates | Pacific Union International Mill Valley, CA.

During March & April 2011, Tiburon and Belvedere experienced a total of 25 home sales. Interestingly, over half of these were properties below $2 million. Below are the percentages of homes in escrow in each of the major price bands:

• 25% of homes priced under $2 million;
• 18% of homes between $2 million and $3 million;
• 10% of homes between $3 million and $5 million;
• 0% of homes over $5 million.

Tiburon and Belvedere homes that sold in March and April 2011, exhibited the following characteristics:

• Number of Sales: 25
• Average Days on Market: 129
• Price: $1.978 million
• Square Feet: 2,856
• Price per Square Foot: $750

If you have any questions or would like a custom market analysis of your home’s current likely sales price, please call me at (415) 350-9440. My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a Broker, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) with Christie’s Great Estates | Pacific Union International Realtors.

And if you are a buyer, I am also a member of the Top Agent Network (Top 10% in Marin County) and the Marin Platinum Group (Top 100 agents in Marin County). These are elite agent networks with access to dozens of homes being marketed informally and not on the MLS. It is always my pleasure to be of service