TAM Blog

Is the market making a comeback?  You can't miss the headlines about the rise in June new home sales.  11% nationwide and 20.1% in California...Take a read at some of the articles below.  The news is optimistic but make sure you look at in the context that matters most to you as a buyer or seller of real estate.  Ask us.  We are more than happy to help you decipher the data...

New Home Sales Jumped 11% in June From May

Home Sales Rise As Housing Market Tries A Comeback

New Home Sales Soar 11% in June

Residential rents in Marin rose slightly in the 2nd quarter of '09, as did occupancy rates, bucking the trends affecting most of the Bay area.  Average apartment rent was up $1686, up from $1676 in the first three months of the year and down .8% from the same period a year ago.  Occupancy rate was 95% up slightly from 94.4% in the first three months of 2009.

Here are Bay Area average monthly rent and occupancy by county:

Rent

SF: $2271

Marin: $1686

San Mateo: $1672

Alameda: $1379

Contra Costa; $1251

Occupancy

SF: 96.1%

San Mateo: 95.3%

Marin: 95%

Contra Costa: 94%

Alameda: 93.3%

Source: RealFacts of Novato

The imminent heat woke me early the other morning.  At dawn, with my eyes barely peeled, I slid my running shoes on.  I knew it was a now or never type of thing because the day was set for record highs..

As I walked down the steep driveway to get the blood pumping, I realized I still hadn't run up Oakland, a street only a block away.  Shaded and small, the street took no time at all.  On to see if I could uncover any parts of San Anselmo I hadn't tackled yet, I found my way back to the Seminary and this time ran to the top....a spiritual & magical place to be as the sun is coming up.

Going a bit the back way to Fairfax, I passed a home that is about to start the process of heading in to a short sale.  Those are commonplace in this market as I know first hand.  I've written almost 10 offers on short sale properties in the last 3 months alone and just closed on one that has taken me a year.  Yes - ONE YEAR!  That's an extreme case, but these types of transactions are far from easy...but can get done if the agents are well versed on how to muddle through the deal.  A big hurdle is educating the buyer on the process.

Passing the new condos on Oak Knoll on the border of Fairfax & San Anselmo I thought of how they really do serve a true niche.  Not a lot of modern condos with few in the complex.  I reminded myself to get my interested buyer more info. on the HOAs - which are set somewhere near $400/month.

Headed home and up Sierra, a street I hadn't put my feet on yet.  But, to my amazement that is one of only a small handful in San Anselmo that I haven't run....and conquering Fairfax & Ross is only a step behind....

Inside...to beat the heat!