<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Coastside Life &#187; Federal Reserve</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.coastsidelife.com/category/federal-reserve/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com</link>
	<description>The Rain Team - Visit us at Coastal-RealEstate.com</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:42:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Bay Area’s High-End Housing Market Gaining Momentum by Rick Turley</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/03/bay-area%e2%80%99s-high-end-housing-market-gaining-momentum-by-rick-turley/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/03/bay-area%e2%80%99s-high-end-housing-market-gaining-momentum-by-rick-turley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:22:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Active Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Coastside Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Granada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kathy Rain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Rain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Turley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[san mateo county real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=791</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Along with the beautiful early spring weather, the Bay Area’s housing market is gradually starting to warm up, too. We’re off to a much more robust and healthy start this year, and it’s not just in the lower price ranges. The mid-to-upper level market is picking up from Silicon Valley through the Peninsula and up through Marin and across to parts of the East Bay.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in an interview with the <em>San Jose Mercury</em> yesterday, after the financial market meltdown a year ago, high-end home sales dried up during the first half of 2009. Compared to those days, homes sales in higher price ranges are much more active now, pushing up median prices around the Bay. And with relatively few homes on the market in Silicon Valley and on the Peninsula, prices have stabilized and buyers are now competing for good listings.</p>
<p>Half of the sales reported by our Los Altos office drew multiple offers, for example.  One Sunnyvale home listed at $950,000 drew 12 offers and sold for more than $1 million. In Palo Alto, we’re seeing eight to 10 multiple offers for properties that are well-priced.  The San Francisco Van Ness office says some well-priced high-end listings are selling in 10-15 days. The same story is being told in Menlo Park, Southern Marin, Orinda – in fact, most of the Bay Area’s higher-end markets.</p>
<p>We just released our <em>Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Luxury Report </em>this week, and it shows million-dollar home sales in Marin nearly tripled last month from a year ago, while the median sale price jumped 25 percent.  The same was true in Silicon Valley, where luxury sales nearly doubled as the median price edge higher.</p>
<p><em>Now don’t get me wrong. While we’re seeing a promising recovery in many of our markets, we’re still fighting our way back to normalcy. The nation’s economy recovery is still very fragile. And the housing market’s gradual improvement must be sustained over time in the face of a challenged job market.  But the signs are encouraging that all sectors of our local housing market are slowly coming to life again. </em></p>
<p><em>Here’s a market</em>-by-market report from our local offices:</p>
<p><span id="more-791"></span></p>
<p><strong>San Francisco</strong>— The San Francisco market has the buyers – it just needs more sellers! The <strong>Van Ness </strong>office says that sales activity is very strong in $800k to $1.5M range &#8211; frequent multiple offers and selling after just 10 to 15 days for listings priced right. They’ve seen a few very high-end Previews property sales in the past two weeks, plus a fair amount in the $2M to $4M range.  Some older listings still sitting while newer to market are going pending –price and condition is critical. Buyers are definitely out there looking at open houses, the <strong>Noriega </strong>office reports.  One open house in the <strong>Outer Sunset</strong>, price in the mid $600,000 drew over 200 people during a three-hour Sunday open house.  They expect to have over 10 offers.  Value properties are definitely flying off the shelf. The <strong>Lombard </strong>and the <strong>Market Street</strong><strong> </strong>offices say that business has definitely picked up, the majority of offers in some neighborhoods now multiple.  But as with elsewhere in the City by the Bay, agents are frustrated by the lack of inventory.</p>
<p><strong>SF Peninsula</strong>— Sales are better than last year and the spring market looks promising in <strong>Burlingame</strong>, although buyers are taking their time to make a decision or the right inventory is not available now.  The entry-level price for <strong>Hillsborough</strong> is now very competitive with Burlingame and higher end <strong>San Mateo</strong>.  There are some excellent buys right now. <strong>Menlo Park</strong> offices report steady or increasing activity. One property listed for $1,749,000 had six offers and went substantially over the list price.   Well-priced properties are getting a lot of buyer attention with open houses very busy in all price ranges. In <strong>Palo Alto</strong><strong>, </strong>Inventory is low compared to years past.  If well priced, we see eight to 10 multiple offers above list price.  It appears that buyers in <strong>Redwood City</strong><strong> </strong>and <strong>San Carlos</strong><strong> </strong>are thinking we are beginning to see a turn around and now is the time to buy. Properties that show well and are priced right are starting to sell quickly. Things are also heating up in <strong>San Mateo</strong>, where six out of 10 listings are attracting multiple offers.</p>
<p><strong>Silicon Valley–</strong> Both sales and inventory are picking up steam in <strong>Los Altos</strong><strong>, </strong>as half the sales are multiple offers. One new listing in <strong>Mountain View</strong> priced at $799K had over 165 groups through the first open houses last weekend.  <strong>Los Gatos</strong><strong> </strong>also reports a “dramatic” increase in activity. In <strong>San Jose’s Almaden </strong>area, entry-level to moderately priced homes are in high demand with nearly all selling with multiple offers.  Prices are rebounding in <strong>Blossom</strong><strong> Valley</strong>. The <strong>San Jose Willow Glen </strong>office is seeing more listings and buyers. Meanwhile, the <strong>San Jose Main </strong>office says activity over the past two weeks seems to have slowed a bit, but open houses remain active. <strong>Saratoga</strong><strong> </strong>is still reporting very low inventory, down 28% from last year.</p>
<p><strong>North Bay</strong>— There is a renewed sense of optimism among agents, reports the <strong>Greenbrae</strong> office &#8211; more properties are coming on the market, more multiple offers and more buyers stepping up to the table.  Buyers now know a good deal when they see one and realize the time to strike is now. Activity is also increasing in <strong>Northern Marin, </strong>with the majority of the new inventory not distressed.  Properties are still seeing multiple offers when priced well.  Buyers are pouring into open houses in large numbers.  One listing held open last weekend in Novato had over 70 people. It’s still a buyers market in <strong>Southern Marin</strong> as high end listings have been increasing rapidly (97 listings over $2 million). <strong>Santa Rosa</strong><strong> </strong>reports inventory is still tight with multiple offers the norm in the lower price points &#8211; home above $500k are finally starting to be shown and sales are trickling in. <strong>Petaluma</strong><strong> </strong>also is seeing a pickup in activity above $500k.  Most sales remain multiple offers in <strong>Sebastopol</strong><strong>, </strong>with cash and large down payments continuing to beat FHA offers.</p>
<p><strong>East</strong><strong> Bay – </strong>There are a sea of buyers in <strong>Berkeley</strong>, but only a trickle of listings for them to choose. Listings are slowly coming in, but most sellers are not listing unless they have compelling reason to do so. It’s a different story in <strong>Castro Valley</strong><strong>, </strong>where they’ve gone from a listing famine to more than they can handle, in all price points. But well-priced homes are still flying off the shelves, many with multiple offers and all-cash.  <strong>Danville</strong><strong> </strong>is seeing both inventory and sales activity gradually increasing over the past several weeks.  Open house attendance has been very good and some buyers seem more optimistic. Ditto for <strong>Oakland-Piedmont, </strong>as well as <strong>Orinda </strong>and <strong>Walnut Creek</strong><strong>, </strong>where the best properties are still getting multiple offers and agents are reporting more mid-week property showings. As anticipated, <strong>Fremont</strong><strong> </strong>reports a steady increase of listings as we approach the spring selling season.  <strong>Livermore</strong><strong> </strong>reports a very healthy market in the Tri-Valley area with listings increasing 26% in Livermore, 35.5% in <strong>Pleasanton</strong>, and 32% in <strong>Dublin</strong><strong> </strong>this year. Pending sales have also jumped 16-24% in local cities.</p>
<p><strong>Santa Cruz</strong><strong> – </strong>We’re seeing multiple offers on many properties, both lower and mid-range. Our local offices closed two sales over $2 million.  Beach properties well priced continue to draw buyers especially under $1 million.  Inventory levels remain very low and prices are slowly inching upward.  The median price inched up to $500K from $380K a year ago with unsold inventory dropping to 844 single-family homes vs. 1,049 a year ago.  But we’re not out of the woods. Distressed properties including short sales and bank owned units represent about 48% of new inventory, so we definitely are still experiencing a stressed market.</p>
<p><strong>Monterey</strong><strong> Peninsula </strong>— The beautiful early spring weather is bringing lots of visitors down to enjoy the climate and scenery on the weekends, so our many open houses have increasing activity, especially in <strong>Carmel</strong>.  Many more consumers telling us this is a good time to buy with prices and interest rates down and still good inventory, except in the REO properties.  Still, buyers are careful in their offers and negotiating, not willing to pay more than their perceived value of the property, so many offers going by the wayside.  We have lots of short sales, still taking many months to get approved and closed – too long for some, generally the first buyer, so the homes are mostly going to the second or third buyer.</p>
<p><strong>South</strong><strong> County–</strong> The <strong>Morgan Hill</strong> office has had an interesting first quarter.  January saw sales and listings at an all time low.  The office rebounded in February and March with a large number of sales.  First time homebuyers dominated the market as did cash investors.  Good new for some sellers is that there are very few listings and demand remains very strong.  The consensus among South County Realtors is that prices remain attractive, interest rates are favorable and that there are not many new homes being built in this area &#8211; hence demand remains high for re-sale houses.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the Fed seems to have made it clear this week that they will end their purchase of Mortgage Backed Securities as scheduled. This will likely result in an interest rate increase as investors for these mortgages will need to be enticed.</p>
<p>That’s it for now. Have a great week!</p>
<p><strong>Rick<br />
</strong><strong>Rick Turley<br />
</strong><strong>President, San Francisco Bay Area<br />
</strong><strong>Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage</strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/03/bay-area%e2%80%99s-high-end-housing-market-gaining-momentum-by-rick-turley/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>THAT SOUND YOU HEAR IS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING.</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/that-sound-you-hear-is-opportunity-knocking/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/that-sound-you-hear-is-opportunity-knocking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:38:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes for sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pacifica homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=661</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>THE HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND EXPANDED.</strong> </p>
<p> Current homeowners can now receive a $6,500 tax credit, while first-time buyers are still eligible to receive an $8,000 credit. <br />
But act soon, the opportunity of a lifetime ends April 30th, 2010.</p>
<p>First time Home Buyer Credit has now changed 3 times.  The biggest change came in December 2009:<br />
<strong>Extends</strong> the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010 under the <strong>Binding Contract Rule-</strong>&#8220;as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until June 30, 2010 to close.<br />
<strong>Who Qualifies</strong>-First-time homebuyers and current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five (5) <em>consecutive</em> years within the last eight years.<br />
<strong>Increased Buyer Income</strong>-<strong>Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit-</strong>effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit.<br />
<strong>Price-Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit</strong>, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.</p>
<p><strong>HURRY</strong> IF YOU&#8217;RE THINKING OF PURCHASING OR YOU&#8217;LL LOOSE OUT ON <strong>FREE MONEY</strong>!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/that-sound-you-hear-is-opportunity-knocking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Changes Again for Buyers starting in the Spring</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/changes-again-for-buyers-starting-in-the-spring/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/changes-again-for-buyers-starting-in-the-spring/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:46:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Helpful Hints]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[congress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie Mae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=639</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Thanks to Susan O&#8217;Driscol of Princeton Capitol for this update today.</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8220;T</strong><strong>he FHA announced changes to its guidelines yesterday. It will raise the minimum down payment required for borrowers with credit rating scores below 580 to 10%, while the down payment for higher-ranked borrowers would stay at 3.5%. The up-front MI premium is also going from 1.75% to 2.25%. HUD is seeking congressional approval to allow it to raise annual mortgage insurance premiums &#8212; which are paid out by the borrower over the life of the loan &#8212; above the 0.55 percent maximum. Lastly, the FHA also said it was cutting the amount of aid sellers could provide buyers to 3 percent of the purchase price from 6 percent; a move it said could help lessen incentives to inflate appraised home values.&#8221;</strong></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2010/01/changes-again-for-buyers-starting-in-the-spring/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It&#8217;s on the Table by Rick Turley, Coldwell Banker SF Bay Area President</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/11/its-on-the-table-by-rick-turley-coldwell-banker-sf-bay-area-president/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/11/its-on-the-table-by-rick-turley-coldwell-banker-sf-bay-area-president/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:28:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Active Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Turley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=554</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Rick has given us the update on the possibility of extending the tax credit.  Also check the market news from last week for the coast and San Mateo County.</p>
<p>&#8220;There’s no question that the government’s first-time homebuyer tax credit has spurred a significant amount of sales this year.  Latest estimates show that some 400,000 additional sales occurred this year due to the first time home buyer tax credit, which is about 8% of all sales this year.</p>
<p>In the latest news, The Senate has reached a compromise on extending and expanding the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers.  While its passage remains uncertain, this plan would extend the existing credit for first-time homebuyers, worth up to $8,000, while offering a new credit of up to $6,500 for some existing homeowners.  The reduced credit would be available to  homeowners who have been in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years.  Lawmakers in Washington also raised the qualifying income limits to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $250,000 for joint taxpayers, from the current $75,000 and $150,000.  Under the Senate compromise, buyers must have sales agreements in hand by April 30, but they will have until June 30 to go to settlement, said the sources. The measure still faces votes in the full Senate and the House.  The U.S. Senate won’t vote until next week at the earliest. &#8221; </p>
<p>This week, <em><strong>Business Week</strong></em> reported “<span style="color: #0000ff;">The broad improvement in the housing indicators in recent months leaves no doubt that the long-awaited housing recovery is finally under way.”  </span>The article went on to report:  <span style="color: #0000ff;">“Policy alone cannot explain the 24% gain in existing home sales since January, nor the 22% increase in new-home purchases, the 40% rise in single-family housing starts, and the recent upturn in home prices. The primary driver is historically high affordability. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates are at 5%, a multi-decade low, and prices have plunged a total of 30% since May 2006, based on the Standard &amp; Poor&#8217;s Case-Shiller Home Price Index. By that price gauge, homes are well undervalued relative to both rents and aftertax income.”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Here is what is happening in San Mateo County</span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Peninsula</strong>—<span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Half Moon Bay reported it is sensing a slow down with less inventory. MLS tour sheet reflects all the retours, many with price reductions and few new listings.</strong> </span></span> Menlo Park El Camino reported a bit of a sea change in the market-not much new inventory, only three new listings on tour this week which is very, very low.  Menlo Park Santa Cruz Avenue reported very slow open house activity this last week.  Many listings are receiving price reductions as new inventory is limited.  Pricing is critical.  52% of the listings on the Menlo Park Atherton Broker tour have price reductions and 82% are retours.  Palo Alto Downtown reported the market is generally slow.  We feel like the holiday season has started early.  The activity is reflective of that.  Sales are down in our area.  San Mateo reported a look at its pending sales (SFR) of its six main communities; here is a breakdown of the total and the percentage of short sales plus REOs.  Belmont 31 pending sales (35% SS/REO), Burlingame 27 pending sales (33% SS/REO), Foster city 12 pending sales (18% SS/REO), Hillsborough 22 pending sales (23% SS/REO), Redwood shores 10 pending sales (10% SS/REO), San Mateo 109 pending sales (52% SS/REO).  Most of San Mateo SS/REO is in entry level areas.</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/11/its-on-the-table-by-rick-turley-coldwell-banker-sf-bay-area-president/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tax Credit:  Expand?  Extend?  Expire? Market Update by Rick Turley, President CB SF Bay Area</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/10/tax-credit-expand-extend-expire-market-update-by-rick-turley-president-cb-sf-bay-area/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/10/tax-credit-expand-extend-expire-market-update-by-rick-turley-president-cb-sf-bay-area/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:21:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Open Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homes for sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rick Turley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=526</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The question everyone is asking is, will the government expand, extend or simply let the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit expire.  With just over 50 days left until it is expires, the debate is on and everyone is anxiously awaiting the result.<br />
Whichever side you take on the debate, what you can’t deny is the fact that nothing has done more in the past year to jumpstart our housing market more than the $8,000 first time home buyer credit.  Will all of that come tumbling down if it isn’t extended or expanded on?  It’s hard to say but I believe that if it isn’t expanded we will see a definite drop in first time home buyers in 2010 and probably a much larger emergence of investors in the entry level arena.  While on the surface that may not seem troubling, it actually is.  The fact is that investors purchase homes solely for income while first time home buyers purchase homes for lifestyle.  When we have a balance between the two it keeps home prices relatively stable.  If our entry level buyers are predominately investors, we could see a drop in home prices in this sector which isn’t good for a market that has already taken its fair share of hits.</p>
<p>While Congress continues to debate the issue, we as Realtors, are calling for support for the expansion of the tax credit from first-time buyers to all homebuyers, increasing the maximum amount of the tax credit from $8,000 to $15,000, eliminating the existing income caps for eligibility purposes and extending this homebuyer tax credit for one year from the date of enactment.<br />
We believe that stimulating demand for housing—particularly in the repeat buyer market—is the most effective way for Congress to help lead the U.S. economy into a recovery and back on the path to growth.  And we have to remember that it’s not just the entry level that is affected.  The move-up buyer begins the process in building more demand in our mid-tier price points and ultimately our higher-end markets.  Timing is critical and we hope that Congress is listening.</p>
<p>While the clock ticks and we await the results of the debate on Capitol Hill, let’s take a look at this week in real estate:</p>
<p>•	East Bay—Berkeley reports a rather slow start to October, compared to our previous months.    Anything priced $400-750k is getting lots of attention.  Open houses were competing with a popular local street fair, but still garnered 45 to 30 groups at the newer listings.  Castro Valley reports new construction in our area is looking up.  Pricing seems to have normalized for new construction.   Otherwise, we are still seeing lots of short sales.  REOs are trickling through as well.  We are starting to see the Castro Valley home median price range pick up somewhat.  Fremont reports the market is typical for the Fall months as people prepare for school and holidays.  REO properties are still hot, but have slowed a little too.  Livermore reported during this past week active listings and total pending sales remained stable in both Livermore and Pleasanton.  In Dublin, this past week, there was more than a 20% increase in listings, and a decline of 10% in total pending sales.  $500,000 and below still remains very &#8220;Hot&#8221; with multiple offers.  Walnut Creek reports very low inventory with multiple offers on almost every sale.  Even with multiple offers, properties in the $600,000 &#8211; $1,000,000 range are not selling much over asking.  Buyers are still very cautious, some not quite convinced that the market has hit “bottom.”  REOs are barely trickling in.<br />
•	Monterey County—Things seem to be slowing down just a bit, though we have had some high-end sales of late, as the inventory of REOs is dwindling and the expected onslaught of new REOs has not yet materialized.  Great mortgage rates we&#8217;re seeing right now may encourage another surge of sales.<br />
•	North Bay—The San Rafael office reports the under $300K market in San Rafael has slowed due to lack of inventory.  In Novato the $300-600K price point is steady and the under 300K price point holding steady over the past few months.  Cash is still king in bidding wars.  Southern Marin reports listings are slowing down considerably.  Sebastopol reports buyers are kicking tires at open houses. Listing activity is very slow.<br />
•	Peninsula—Burlingame reports appraisal problems are becoming more common and buyers demands are becoming excessive. The Agents are working so hard to hold their transactions together.  The number of sales have picked up however and hopes are high for a strong Q4 finish.  Half Moon Bay reports  the price point is the only thing that matters in receiving offers on listings.  Over the $1m mark is still very quiet.  Menlo Park El Camino reports buyers are absolutely out there but come out of the bushes only when lured by a great house at a great price. We had nine offers, 25 offers, 6 offers – where are the 8 and 24 and 5 buyers that didn’t get the house? They will buy when the right house gets to the current market price.  Redwood City/San Carlos reports one of the multiple offers was our listing and it was priced at $775,000—in San Carlos.  There were five offers and it went $55,000 over list price.  Three out of the five offers were very close.  Moods seem positive.  Woodside reported buyers are still on the fence for anything over $4 million.  Almost nothing will lure them out.  Under that level, it is price, price, price.<br />
•	San Francisco—Lombard reported truism reinforced this week: &#8220;Price it right, right out of the gate.” Buyers are writing right away if they see value and sense competition.  But not returning to see the stale listings with the multiple mini reductions.  Many sellers are still not getting this.  Market Street reported that there was a lot to do around San Francisco over the weekend so open houses were a little less well attended than past weekends. However, those who attended were especially eager to buy before the end of the year.  Van Ness reported both large and small deals are moving well.  Activity level is picking up again.<br />
•	Santa Cruz County—The lower end market  below $600K continues to dominate the lion&#8217;s share of sales.  Agents are working really hard to keep deals moving forward and at times buyers continued interest in the property if escrows drag on. The Agents are still doing a lot of short sales, some taking months and months.  The REO market especially south County &#8211; Watsonville &#8211; is almost completely dried up and those few actives are getting multiple offers &#8211; with cash buyers winning the bids.<br />
•	Silicon Valley—Cupertino reports we typically have a lot more sales than listings. Last week the numbers were just about even. Open house traffic was insane!  Los Altos reports buyers are trying to find an affordable home in most cases and are competing in multiple offers with cash investors.  Mid tier buyers have more time to consider and the upper end is slow.  San Jose Almaden reports the market is tapering off a bit on the sales now, not by much but a little.  Open houses remain very busy still.  With rates as good as they are and inventory shrinking and tax credits ending I would expect more sales.  Perhaps the upcoming weeks will prove this to be true.  All sales made this week were multiple offers.  Willow Glen reports multiple offers are still the norm and many of the Agents in this office have clients that are losing out. Inventory is somewhat down as well.<br />
•	South County—Morgan Hill reports each local market is unique and comes with its own set of challenges.  Here in South County offerings on the MLS range from one-bedroom condos to huge estates on acreage.  We have horse properties, PUDs, single-family developments and attached housing and everything in between.  The buying public, for the last six months, has zeroed in on entry level housing (those homes listed under $500,000).   That segment of the market is thriving.</p>
<p>MONDAY MORNING MARKET UPDATE WILL RESUME NEXT WEEK</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/10/tax-credit-expand-extend-expire-market-update-by-rick-turley-president-cb-sf-bay-area/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Monday Morning Market Update September 28, 2009 Wk#39</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/monday-morning-market-update-september-28-2009-wk39/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/monday-morning-market-update-september-28-2009-wk39/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:03:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Absorption Rate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time homebuyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[housing inventory]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=505</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div><strong><em>Our Fall Selling Season is in full swing as Pending sales are consistent in Pacifica and increasing from Half Moon Bay to Montara with last week&#8217;s sales being the highest in the last 30 days.  The under $700,000 market is the most active.  </em></strong></div>
<div><strong><em>The homes that closed this week were evenly divided with half that were listed over 1 Million and half listed between $550,000-$750,000.  Pacifica had no closed sales this week but did have 6 properties go sale pending.  Both Pacifica and the Half Moon Bay to Montara areas each had 6 new listings.</em></strong></div>
<div><strong><em>In talking to buyers at open houses this weekend, the price ranges they are looking in are up to 1 Million.  Good news for the large number of sellers of high end properties.</em></strong></div>
<div><strong><em> </em></strong></div>
<div><strong><em>Still a Buyers Market &#8211; HALF MOON BAY through MONTARA, CALIFORNIA with 14.7 months supply.  <span style="color: #000000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">This is a continuing decrease from past weeks.</span></span></em></strong></div>
</div>
<div><em>Still, just under half of the listings are listed at over 1 Million and 10% at $600,000 or less.  The low end of those listings are located at Martins Beach which continues to attract buyers even though the properties will have to be abandonded in 12 years.  7 new Pending Sales this week.</em></div>
<div><strong>Active Listings-130</strong> Single Family Homes with 55 listed at $1 Million or more.</div>
<div>6 New Listings this week with 4 listed for over $1,000,000.</div>
<div><strong>Pending Sales-38</strong> Single Family Homes with 12 listed for under $600,000 and 5 over 1 Million.</div>
<div>7 Properties went Sale Pending this week.</div>
<div><strong>80 Homes Closed</strong> since January 1, 2009 with only 14 that closed over $1,000,000 and 15 between $800,000 and 1 Million and 11 listed at $500,000 or less. 7 homes closed this week with 4 listed over 1 Million.</div>
<div><strong><em>Sellers Market with few Homes for Sale &#8211; PACIFICA, CALIFORNIA with 2.7 months supply.  Inventory held steady this week.</em></strong></div>
<div><strong><em><br />
</em></strong></div>
<div><em>Statistics remain consistent another week with the current number of Active Listings divided by the average number of homes sold YTD, there is 2.7 months of inventory of Active listings.  6 new listings this week half listed under $600,000. </em><em><br />
</em></div>
<div><strong>Active Listings-51 </strong>Single Family Homes. 11 listed at $900,000 or higher and 11 listed under $600,000.</div>
<div><strong>Pending Sales-56 </strong>Single Family Homes with 19 listed under $500,000 and 20 listed between $500,000 and $600,000.</div>
<div>6 Properties went Sale Pending this week with4 listed under $600,000</div>
<div><strong>172 Closed</strong> Sales since January 1, 2009 with 6 that were listed for over 1 Million. 74 sales were from homes listed at $500,000 or less.</div>
<div>NO new sales this week.</div>
<div><strong>ABSORPTION RATE</strong></div>
<div>
<div><strong>Absorption Rate is the number of months it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales.</strong></div>
<div><strong><br />
</strong></div>
<div><strong>6 months supply is a balanced market. </strong></div>
<div><strong>Less than 6 months supply is a Sellers market.</strong></div>
<div><strong>More than 6 months supply is a Buyers market</strong></div>
</div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/monday-morning-market-update-september-28-2009-wk39/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is the Patient-Buyers &amp; Sellers-Finally out of Intensive Care?</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/is-the-patient-buyers-sellers-finally-out-of-intensive-care/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/is-the-patient-buyers-sellers-finally-out-of-intensive-care/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:58:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie Mae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Montara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moss Beach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacifica Homes for Sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=488</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;re seeing signs that the Coast has hit the bottom of the Real Estate Market.  We are getting some multiple offers on well priced homes in the lower price range.  Investors are looking at the Coast for their second and third homes.  Doesn&#8217;t everyone want a Cottage at the beach?  So let&#8217;s look at what Rick Turley has to say about Real Estate last week around the Bay Area and his take on the Economy. </p>
<p><strong>“The patient is out of intensive care, but still has a very long road ahead to a clean bill of health.”  </strong></p>
<p><strong>by Rick Turley, Bay Area President, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage</strong></p>
<p>Those were the words last week from Fannie Mae Chief Executive Officer Michael Williams.  The CEO went on to say, “Anyone looking objectively at the economy and the housing market sees hope.”</p>
<p>Another good solid indicator of what I’ve been saying in my weekly updates.  The U.S. housing market still has a long road ahead but we are making some definite moves towards a housing recovery.  So what’s the challenge?  Well for starters, rising unemployment numbers aren’t helping.  The United States Department of Labor reported in its September 4 Economic Situation Summary that the number of unemployed persons increased by 466,000 to 14.9 million and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage point to 9.7%.  Just to give you an idea, since the recession began in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has risen by 7.4 million, and the unemployment rate has grown by 4.8 percentage points.</p>
<p>We also need to couple that with the challenges in the mortgage industry.  Bloomberg reported, “The mortgage market is still dependent on government-affiliated programs, with private banks providing just 10 percent of loan liquidity, down from about 60 percent in 2006.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are responsible for about 70 percent of all new mortgages, while the Federal Housing Administration accounts for about 20 percent.”</p>
<p>Before we can be truly reformed, we need to get into a position where there is more of a balance between private bank loans and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.  In all actuality, we probably won’t see that for some time.</p>
<p>Having said that, U.S. mortgage applications surged last week with demanding rising to its highest level since late-May as consumers sought to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in months, according to Reuters.</p>
<p>The Reuters article reported, “While home refinancing loans dominated demand, the appetite for applications to buy a home, a tentative early indicator of sales, hit its highest level since early January.  The overall trend bodes well for the hard-hit U.S. housing market, which has been showing signs of stabilization.”</p>
<p>The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications which includes both purchase and refinance loans, for the week ended September 4 increased 17.0 percent to 648.3, the highest level since the week ended May 29.</p>
<p>These are all very positive indicators that showcase that we are on the right track…it’ll probably be a slow track…but we’re on the right one.</p>
<p>Now let’s take a look at this week in real estate:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>East</strong><strong>  Bay</strong>—Berkeley reported a slow week compared to our brisk start to September.  Castro Valley reported our local micromarket is full of challenges.  Not enough inventory, hungry buyers with lots of cash, Agents who must navigate the challenges of appraisal problems, short sale bank frustrations and stiff competition for limited inventory.  We are seeing more listings out there.  They are selling quick, though, often within a week or so of listing.  Danville reported a spurt of activity the first week of September and then it got quiet.  Inventory and sales activity is down both in our office and in our service area.  Fremont reported it seems that the recent Wall Street financial information has made buyers more comfortable and motivated to purchase now that prices are starting to increase and the first time buyer program is ending in November which is another motivator.  Walnut Creek reported sales activity has really slowed down.  Fewer REOs coming on the market though there is an increase of short sale listings.  Multiple offers on most every sale. Orinda reports lower attendance at recent open houses, but the Buyers who do show up are more serious and ready to make offers.</li>
<li><strong>Monterey</strong><strong> County</strong>—REOs and Short Sales are continuing on at steady pace, but we are seeing more &#8220;traditional&#8221; sales than over summer.  We&#8217;re getting lower on inventory in the hot REO market of Seaside; however, we keep hearing that the release of a large number of REOs there is imminent.  With Labor Day holiday last week, our closings were weak, though had one over $1 million and one over $2 million, but had good week for new escrows.</li>
<li><strong>North Ba</strong>y—Petaluma reported lots of movement in the $500,000 and above range. Under $300,000 continues to be a frenzy with double digit multiple offers. Cash is king.  Santa Rosa concurred noting, too, that cash was king though the Sonoma County market did also note that open houses weren’t as well attended last week as they have been in recent weeks.  Sebastopol reported lots of folks out despite the weather.  Good attendance in all price ranges but most offers remain in the low end.  San Rafael reported the market has slowed in the past few weeks.  Inventory is still low.  78 people came through a new listing held open for the first time in Novato in the mid $700s.  An offer came in the next day.  Greenbrae reported (San Rafael &amp; Corte Madera) had two $1 mil properties come on for the first time last week and had multiple offers by Monday.  Activity not as robust as we hoped but lots of new properties coming on the market so perhaps buyers need a chance to digest the new investors.</li>
<li><strong>Peninsula</strong>—Menlo Park El Camino reports Agents are busy.  The job of being a real estate Agent right now is very hard but the Agents see some deals are being made.  Big loans are still like apparitions.  Menlo Park Santa Cruz Avenue reported good activity following the Labor Day Holiday.  One Hillsborough listing ($6,500,000) was ratified after one week on the market!  Redwood City-San Carlos reported open house activity has definitely picked up.  Buyers seem more ready to make offers.  Woodside reported Woodside and Portola Valley are extremely difficult markets (especially Woodside).  The price point is so high that buyers will not buy and those who are selling are only selling because they have to.  EX: just closed a house at $5.6 mil that the owners paid $13 million for in yr. 2000.  Very few homes on the market representative of the usual Woodside market.</li>
<li><strong>San Francisco</strong>—Lombard reported the number of houses going pending look OK but mostly entry level prices. Labor Day listing surge is happening in the City: 165 new listings entered. The lower the price the more offers. One REO we got in Hayward yielded 33 offers.  The Market Street office reported open house activity was brisk last weekend with 60 groups going through a listing in District 5.  2/3 of the ratified offers were for new construction where good deals are still to be had.  This week the only multiple offers came in on a short sale.  Prices varied from $300K to $940K.  The Noriega office reported Agent activities are high but it&#8217;s tough to get deals ratified.  Even after deals are ratified, it takes a lot of work and negotiations afterward to keep the deal alive.</li>
<li><strong>Santa Cruz</strong>—August was slower than 2008 in terms of number of sales and overall prices have dropped within the office about $100K since last year at this time.  Open house activity is still good and there continues to be a pent up demand for properties as the inventory levels remain low.</li>
<li><strong>Silicon Valley</strong>—Cupertino reported it&#8217;s busy and an ever increasing challenge getting those deals closed.   Los Altos reported activity is picking up as we head into the normal fall home buying season.   San Jose Willow Glen reported things are slowing up a bit. Open houses still draw a lot of crowds. A couple of the sales that have been turned in, have sold over the asking and it appears that the listing prices were set low to attract buyers.  Saratoga reported  a steady increase in average sales prices over the last six months. Instead of the sales consisting of REOs and Short Sales we&#8217;re seeing brisk sales activity up to two million.</li>
<li><strong>South</strong><strong> County</strong>—Hollister reported we are seeing great opportunities in establishing client relationships with office floor calls and walk ins this past week.  Inventory is still low and first time homebuyers are struggling trying to secure a contract.  Some REO Listings have received up to 20 offers.  Morgan Hill reported the South County market continues its same scenario&#8211;lots of potential buyers and very low inventory.  This week the number of total listings in all of Morgan Hill fell to 125 units&#8211;an all time low.  Employing simple &#8220;supply and demand&#8221; economics, this situation should result in prices beginning to rise&#8211;though none of us has witnessed this phenomenon yet.</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/09/is-the-patient-buyers-sellers-finally-out-of-intensive-care/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reinvigorating the Housing Market</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/06/reinvigorating-the-housing-market/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/06/reinvigorating-the-housing-market/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:44:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Helpful Hints]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[congress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foreclosures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homebuyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[realogy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax credits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[white house]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=337</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just received this information from Rick Turley, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage President, San Francisco Bay Area.  We hope that the suggestions that Realogy President, Richard Smith made, are taken to heart.  Glad to be a part of a company that is working hard for the American consumer, which means you and me.</p>
<p>This week Realogy (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s parent company) President Richard Smith met with legislators regarding the need for policy initiatives concerning the real estate industry and the economy as a whole.  Specifically, the Business Roundtable (an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. corporations)— of which Richard is the chair—issued a set of recommendations for the White House and Congress that are aimed at jump starting the housing market in order to stimulate a broader economic recovery.</p>
<p>The Business Roundtable’s recommendations are as follows:</p>
<p>•         Keep mortgage interest rates at historically low levels (below 5 percent) for at least one year;<br />
•         Expand the current First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit incentive from the lesser of 10 percent of the purchase price of the home or $8,000 to a higher limit of either 10 percent or $15,000 for all homebuyers, remove the income restrictions and include all primary residence purchases for one full year;<br />
•         Conduct a thorough review of current foreclosure mitigation and loan-modification programs in light of rising loan-modification re-default rates;<br />
•         Make permanent the current temporary conforming loan limits; and<br />
•         Continue to review and strengthen government efforts already underway to review and refine mortgage lending practices.</p>
<p>We believe targeted, demand-side solutions—such as the ones Business Roundtable is recommending—will provide a critical next step for a housing recovery that will help create jobs and boost the economy as a whole. To obtain a copy of the Business Roundtable press release and its Housing Working Group’s detailed recommendations, click here. To read an article that appeared in today’s online edition of The Wall Street Journal containing an interview about the Business Roundtable’s recommendations and why they are crucial to jumpstarting the housing market, click here.  We will communicate with you as any legislative opportunities occur for you to contact members of Congress and voice your support—but for now, just know that we appreciate your support and are proud to be part of this initiative.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/06/reinvigorating-the-housing-market/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Monday Morning Market Update-March 16, 2009</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/03/monday-morning-market-update-march-16-2009/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/03/monday-morning-market-update-march-16-2009/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:23:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Updates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[active]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coldell banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Granada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Moon Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Montara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moss Beach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacifica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pending Homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sold Properties]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=140</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>PACIFICA, CALIFORNIA</strong></p>
<p><strong>Active Listings</strong>-80 Single Family Homes<br />
8 New Listing this week.<br />
<strong>Pending Sales</strong>-36 Single Family Homes<br />
4 Properties went Sale Pending this week.<br />
29 <strong>Closed Sales</strong> since January 1, 2009<br />
2 Homes Closed this week.<br />
These 29 homes closed between $179,000 and $700,000</p>
<p><strong>HALF MOON BAY</strong> through <strong>MONTARA, CALIFORNIA</strong></p>
<p><strong>Active Listings</strong>-150 Single Family Homes<br />
7 New Listings this week.<br />
<strong>Pending Sales</strong>-9 Single Family Homes<br />
1 Property went Sale Pending this week<br />
11 <strong>Closed Sales</strong> since January 1, 2009<br />
1 Homes Closed this week.<br />
These 11 homes closed between $155,000 and $999,999.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/03/monday-morning-market-update-march-16-2009/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It May Be Time to Get Off the Fence! by Rick Turley</title>
		<link>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/02/it-may-be-time-to-get-off-the-fence-by-rick-turley/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/02/it-may-be-time-to-get-off-the-fence-by-rick-turley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:30:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Rain</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bailout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coldwell Banker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie-Freddie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Values]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[In the News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic Stimulus Package]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie Mae loan limits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foreclosue Prevention Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coastsidelife.com/?p=121</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the Economic Stimulus Package and the Foreclosure Prevention Plan underway, many Americans are anxious to move forward, realizing that there will still be weeks and months of discussion and fine-tuning before all elements will be understood. At the end of the day, some elements will be popular with the majority, perceived as helpful to our recovery – and some elements will remain under heavy criticism and largely unpopular. It’s the American way. But I hope most will agree that it’s time to get back into a position where we feel secure, where we feel confident and where we can once again make strong decisions regarding our future…and that includes decisions we make about real estate.<br />
 <br />
Many buyers have been on the sidelines. They’ve been waiting to see what will happen to interest rates and to see what the results of the Economic Stimulus Package would be. Some have been on the fence regarding a personal real estate decision even though their down payment and their jobs have been safe and secure. You can’t really blame them for being cautious &#8211; but things are definitely starting to change at the entry price levels. Most new offerings listed at a competitive asking price are receiving multiple offers again. Many older listings that have taken notable price reductions are experiencing the same thing.<br />
 <br />
Now I realize that every individual situation is different so please don’t take this as a broad based brush that I am painting with, but what I can say is that buyers may truly be in one of the best positions than they have been in some 50 years to purchase a home. Consider the benefits to today’s homebuyer:<br />
 <br />
 • New $8,000 first time home buyer credit (and in most cases, the buyer does not have to repay the tax credit).<br />
 • Reinstatement of FHA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan limits. These limits were equal to the greater of 125% of the 2008 local area median home price or $271,050 for FHA and $417,000 for Fannie and Freddie, with an overall maximum cap of $729,750.<br />
 • Historically low interest rates. In my February Reality Check message I shared with you how changes in mortgage rates can affect a consumer’s purchasing power. The fact is, right now interest rates are low—certainly by historical standards—and those low rates translate to increased purchasing power for buyers.<br />
 • Though we’ve seen decreasing inventory in many of our markets over the last several weeks, we still do have quite a bit of inventory in many markets. This translates to more choices for buyers. We are also anticipating that Spring will bring on a lot of good, new inventory for us and that should bring in a surge of new buyers—for today’s buyer’s, that’s competition for you.<br />
 <br />
My point is that Buyers may not want to make the mistake of waiting. Sitting on the sidelines could cost plenty in terms of higher housing prices, increased competition, fewer choices and higher interest rates. We live in one of the most desirable areas in the world and regardless of the recent slowing in the market, there is still high demand where value is perceived –normally value is perceived with respect to condition and competitive pricing.<br />
 <br />
The current housing market offers a unique window of opportunity for confident buyers. The exciting news is that for the first time in quite a while, the stars are in alignment for consumers: mortgage rates remain at historic lows, loan limits have been increased, there is an $8,000 first time home buyer credit, and in some areas a good selection of homes to choose from. The only way to know that the market has “hit rock bottom” is when it is on its way up and by then, the window of opportunity is gone. Among the ongoing concerns consumers currently have regarding our economy and real estate should be one additional one: 10 years from now, we could be looking back at this market, and wish we would have bought a lot more San Francisco Bay Area real estate<br />
 <br />
Rick Turley<br />
President, San Francisco/Peninsula/North Bay<br />
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.coastsidelife.com/2009/02/it-may-be-time-to-get-off-the-fence-by-rick-turley/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

