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Visit www.BernardGibbons.com for the Latest Listings and Real Estate Information

 

Market Update – July 2006

Trying To Make Sense of Our Local Real Estate Market

Having reached the mid-point of the year we can hopefully begin to make some sense of the activities in the real estate market over the past few months and possibly even forecast what is likely to happen as we move into the second half of the year.

Considering real estate sales year on year is much more meaningful than just looking at a series of monthly activities as it makes allowances for seasonal trends. Here then, is a summary of market activity over the past 4 months in the area’s larger communities with the previous year’s figures shown in parentheses:

Actual Numbers of Sales Agreed 2006 – All Residential Homes

City

March

April

May

June

Danville

76 (66)

69 (73)

75 (105)

55 (82)

San Ramon

85 (106)

82 (87)

98 (131)

76 (117)

Lafayette

26 (30)

30 (33)

45 (36)

37 (26)

Walnut Creek

81 (101)

86 (96)

91 (126)

82 (119)

Concord

148 (208)

159 (208)

138 (208)

125 (243)

Now let’s look at the average sale price of a 4 bed, 2-2½ bath, 1800-2200 sq.ft. single family home with a 2-car garage in June 2006 as compared to a similar home sold in June 2005 (shown here in parentheses). Note that this is just an example though. Different types of home will show different results:

City

Avg. Sale Price

% Chg.

Danville

922K (878K)

-4.7

San Ramon

867K (820K)

-5.4

Lafayette

1079K (1127K)

+4.4

Walnut Creek

886K (857K)

-3.2

Concord

732K (696K)

-4.9

Price is generally a function of supply and demand and the downward price adjustment seen in most areas in the table on the left is the result. This is most likely the “soft landing” that was predicted by real estate economists.  Will prices fall further? Probably not. This is an adjustment, not a “bubble” bursting. Note that Lafayette appears to have recovered already. Other areas should soon follow. If you are thinking about selling, you need a similar analysis on your type of home so you can price it accordingly. It will sell! If you are thinking of buying, this is a great time to do so with plenty of choice in most price ranges.

Footnote: On examining the closed sales figures for Danville through the month of June, I see that 21% of them sold above listed price and 19% sold at list price. This is surely a sign that things are getting back to normal here.

If you are thinking about selling, you need to have this information as it relates to your type of home so you can price it accordingly. Call me on (925) 997-1585 or send me an email to bernard@bernardgibbons.com. I will be happy to provide you with a similar market analysis.

 


 What’s Your Home Worth?

Thinking of selling? Home prices have increased at a phenomenal rate over the past few years. To get a Free Up-To-Date Valuation of your home without any obligation, together with suggestions for what you can do to maximize its appeal, visit www.BernardGibbons.com or for an immediate response call Bernard Gibbons on (925) 997-1585.

 


Restaurant Review

Postino, 3565 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

Postino is an historic landmark in Lafayette. This attractive brick building is set in attractive gardens with exposed brick walls and slate floors throughout. The public areas comprise a multitude of rooms of varying sizes, each with their own ambience and names like the Tavalozza, the Library and the Family Room. There is also dining on the terrace. The overall impression is that of an upmarket European restaurant that could be hundreds of years old.

Sylvia and I dined in the Atrium on our recent visit. This is the largest room with skylights above and open to the exhibition kitchen. For a starter we shared the Fritto Misto - lightly floured and deep fried calamari, onion rings and asparagus tips. It was delicious. For an entrée, Sylvia had Lamb Sirloin that was served with fingerling potatoes and seasonable vegetables on a cherry reduction. I had Papardelle in a duck bolognese sauce with shaved assiago cheese. We accompanied all of this with a bottle of Baileyana chardonnay from Monterey that was excellent.

Sylvia was a little diappointed with the lamb which was served quite rare despite a request for medium. My pasta, on the other hand, was outstanding. For pudding we shared a portion of tiramisu that was ample for two people. This was light and fresh and everything a tiramisu should be.

Overall, I have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants. Good food, great ambience and excellent service. They also have a large, yet cosy, bar that can get very busy at times. Price-wise, expect to pay upwards of $100 for two including wine but plan for a dining experience. This is not just “somewhere to go for dinner”.

For more information visit their excellent web site at www.postinorestaurant.com.

Reviews such as the one above are included as a service to introduce people to interesting restaurants in the San Ramon Valley. We have no connection with any restaurateurs in the area and all opinions expressed are strictly those of the writer.

You can read more restaurant reviews in the Newsletter Archives at www.BernardGibbons.com

 

 

 


Why The Real Estate Market Has Changed

I think all agree that we are in a very different real estate market from this time last year. In most areas there are a lot of homes for sale and they are taking longer to sell. Price reductions are common and actual sale prices, in many cases are lower than in 2005.

There are many reasons for this state of affairs. Rising interest rates, although historically quite acceptable, are keeping many first-time buyers out of the market and when low priced homes don’t sell, there is a knock-on effect in all price ranges.

More significant though is that the rate of price increases in recent years was unsustainable. It is unrealistic to expect 15% annual increase in home prices for any period of time unless earnings increase at the same rate.

Last year there were many buyers and few homes for sale. Buyers responded by making multiple offers often way above asking price. Many homes sold for prices that amazed their owners. Things got seriously out of hand and inevitably, in due course, there was a backlash. No longer were buyers willing or able to pay such high prices and thus there was a market correction.

The Bay Area economy is strong and employment is high with many new jobs being created so there is absolutely no reason to anticipate a market crash. What we are experiencing now is truly an “adjustment”. Around the third quarter of the year we should see a return to a more “normal” market with moderate price increases around 5-7% annually and homes taking an average of 30-45 days to sell.

 


 

Thinking About Moving? – Get This FREE e-Book

Before you put your home on the market, get a copy of my FREE e-Book, “450 Ideas To Help Your Home Sell FASTER”. This is no lightweight brochure – 52 pages of useful information on preparing your home for sale.

For your FREE copy, go to www.BernardGibbons.com and click on the “FREE Home Preparation e-Book” link or just send an email to Bernard@BernardGibbons.com and I’ll send you a copy by return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

LISTING ALERTS: Click here to get details of all new listings that could interest you sent from the Contra Costa / Alameda Multiple Listing Service direct to your email in-box


How Will You Decide Who Will List YOUR Home For Sale?

 

As housing inventory increases and interest rates continue to rise, it is more important than ever to work with a Realtor® who has the knowledge and experience to market your home to its fullest potential in order to obtain the best price for your home.

 

My High Impact Home Marketing Program is the most comprehensive home marketing system in real estate. This, combined with my affiliation with Alain Pinel Realtors, the most prestigious real estate company in the Bay Area, ensures that your home gets the maximum level of exposure from start to finish. Through multiple channels and networks I market your home every day to potential homebuyers and real estate agents who represent buyers in your area. This targeted marketing approach ensures maximum exposure to potential buyers.

 

Communication is absolutely critical. I will keep you fully informed regarding the status of your home sale at all times and do everything in my power to ensure a smooth, stress-free transaction. Call me any time for a confidential discussion without any obligation - (925) 997-1585.

                                                          Bernard Gibbons

 


San Ramon Valley Market Update

Information To Help You Understand The Value Of Your Biggest Investment

The 40 most recently Closed Sales in Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda

(Sorted By City and Sold Price)

Address

City

Beds

Baths

Part
Baths

Sq Ft

Lot Sq Ft

List Price

Sold Price

2477  Biltmore Drive

Alamo

4

2

1

2630

16675

$1,395,000

$1,315,000

111  Daniel Dr

Alamo

4

2

0

2496

20700

$1,450,000

$1,350,000

349  South Ave

Alamo

4

3

1

3418

35260

$1,599,000

$1,550,000

4050  Sugar Maple Dr

Blackhawk

4

3

0

3086

13650

$1,485,000

$1,460,000

2131  Deer Oak Way

Blackhawk

5

3

0

3910

22936

$1,998,000

$1,998,000

409  Garden Creek Pl

Danville

2

1

1

1090

1148

$495,000

$490,000

421  Sycamore Hill Drive

Danville

2

2

0

1211

2210

$649,000

$649,000

10  Cottage Pl

Danville

2

2

0

1060

3480

$649,950

$675,000

81  Fawn Pl

Danville

3

2

1

1590

3008

$699,000

$715,000

226  Abigail Cir

Danville

4

2

1

2396

4000

$799,950

$799,950

44  Summer Hill Ct

Danville

3

2

1

1862

2880

$849,990

$842,500

24  Maplewood Drive

Danville

5

4

 

3738

10450

$1,599,000

$1,565,000

104  Edinburgh Circle

Danville

5

4

1