Real Estate Network

Posts Tagged ‘2006’

Article by Rick Hendershot

In its most recent report released Jan 24, The National Association of Realtors anticipates “solid” gains in the US commercial real estate sector.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist said “Even with a lot of new construction around the country, we are seeing healthy levels of commercial real estate space being purchased, rented and occupied.

As a result, vacancies are declining across the board – this is improving the fundamentals for commercial real estate sectors into the foreseeable future.”

The report also sees rising concerns at the Fed that commercial real estate is being concentrated in some banks. According to Federal Reserve Governor, Susan Bies, The Fed is considering issuing “supervisory guidance” on risk-management to avoid commercial real estate exposure that was typical of previous economic downturns.

According to NAR’s latest forecast vacancy rates are generally declining across most of the 57 metropolitan areas examined. This means rents are stabilizing in all four commercial market sectors: office, retail, industrial and multifamily housing.

Employment increases in all sectors is what is driving the lower vacancy rates. According to the NAR, these rates are expected to fall to 14.1 percent by the fourth quarter of 2005 and to 12.2 percent in 2006. This is down from 15.4 percent in 2004. They project that office space rent will grow 4.4 percent for 2005 and 4.9 percent next year That is up significantly from 2004 when the increase was just 0.4 percent.

Their analysis of specific metro areas for investment singles out New York, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco and Chicago as good targets for commercial real estate investment.

In the industrial sector vacancies are projected to go down to 8.8 percent by the end of 2006 compared to 10.9 percent last year. Industrial rents, actually declined slightly in 2005, but are projected to increase 2.5 percent in 2006.

Retail space vacancy is predicted to hit 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005, down from 7.5 percent the previous year. Rents are expected to rise 3.2 percent in 2006 after a similar increase in 2005. Increases in 2004 were 3.3 percent.

**Some Local Commercial Real Estate hi-lites**

The St. Louis region had an all-time high of $ 1.2 billion in commercial real estate transactions in 2005. Local real estate experts predict it will be even higher in 2006 – perhaps as high as $ 1.4 billion.

A Colliers report found that industrial vacancy rates in the region were at a five-year low, and demand for office and retail space had fully recovered from the recession a few years ago.

Part of what is driving the real estate boom is that investors have moved from the stock market to commercial real estate. Many investors prefer commercial real estate because it is more transparent and provides a steady cash return as well as a reliable rate of appreciation.

In the Bradenton, Florida area (Manatee County) commercial real estate is also going strong. Local experts say commercial development follows residential, so given the rapid pace of residential development in most of Florida over the last few years, there is little likelihood that commercial development is going to slow down any time soon.

Development here as elsewhere is also dependent on interest rates, but in Florida the cyclical nature of real estate development is somewhat mitigated by the unique location and climate, as well as a shifting demographic pattern.

Lack of convenient parking, and traffic on main downtown streets, as well as a limited number of downtown development sites are the biggest challenges facing commercial real estate developers in this smaller Florida city.

In the Marina Del Rey area of Los Angeles about $ 1.5 billion in commercial and residential improvements are underway. The county is encouraging leaseholders to make improvements to boost visitors and increase county revenue.

So far two shopping centers have been renovated and the marina’s shops and restaurants, called Fisherman’s Village, will be completely renovated.

Approximately 1,600 apartments are being added, at the same time as reducing the number of boat slips at the 40-year-old marina.

Andorra, the tiny independent country in the Pyrenees, saw her property prices rise in value by 19.3 per cent last year, and a local travel guide suggests that another rise in prices is likely in the year ahead.

Best known for her ski resorts, Andorra attracts nearly ten million tourists a year, but it’s not just the holiday makers who are falling in love with the country and buying second homes that is fuelling the price rises, the guide says.

‘Quite a few tourists do like Andorra enough to buy a ski apartment, and there is an active local market too. But what really pushes the prices up is that there’s a third stream of buyers, people from around the world who want to take residency and benefit from Andorra’s tax haven status.’

Property currently for sale in Andorra include one bedroom apartments at 210,000 Euros, two bedroom apartments in Soldeu, the main skiing area of Andorra, at 272,000 Euros and 280,000 Euros in another ski village Arinsal, and three bedroom apartments in the capital Andorra la Vella at 333,000 Euros. Houses start from around 900,000 Euros.

Andorra property specialists have also noticed an increase in buyers recently, and comment that a large part of the increase in buyers is the increased attention from potential overseas property buyers in the UK.

‘The number of buyers from the UK has increased quite noticeably over the last couple of years’, they say, ‘With many quoting higher taxes in the UK as their reason for moving to Andorra. Most seemed convinced that the tax take from their earnings will rise more in the years ahead, and are planning for retirement and selling their businesses now’.

The companies also comment that historically tax havens have been popular no matter how the economy is. When someone buys a property in Monaco it often doesn’t matter to them if it’s a few hundred thousand Euros as they’re going to save more than that in tax during the time they are resident in Andorra.

More Property Price Increases

Demand for property in Andorra for the year ahead is every bit as high as in the past, with many potential buyers already having planned visits.

Surprisingly perhaps for a tax haven, mortgages for a property are as available as many European countries, with rates around the same level. Up to eighty per cent of a property’s value is often agreed by the banks in Andorra.

Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status.

To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time. Residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved.

Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn’t policed.

One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have ine future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse.

Recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes.

‘Given the tax advantages Andorra has’, note a travel guide, ‘A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax. Especially when you consider that their properties could be rising in value quite significantly in the years to come.’

The community of Clairemont (sometimes called Clairemont Mesa) is located in central San Diego County, California. The community is located off Interstate 5 at Balboa Ave and is within the 92117 Zip code.

The real estate and homes for sale in Clairemont fall into the moderate-income category for San Diego County. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively high. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 183 single-family homes sold. Approximately 226 homes sold for the same period in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $560,000, compared to $562,500 in July 2005, which represents a 0.9% drop. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $575,114, compared to $585,602 in July 2005, which represents a 2.4% drop. Approximately 21 homes sold in July 2006 and 26 in July 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $555,000, compared to $570,000 in June 2005, which represents a 2.6% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $586,758, compared to $584,415 in June 2005, which represents a 0.4% increase. Approximately 30 homes sold in June 2006 and 34 in June 2005. The data for June 2006 was mixed, as median prices declined and average prices rose slightly from the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $550,000, compared to $562,000 in May 2005, which represents a 2.3% drop. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $584,012, compared to $582,000 in May 2005, which represents a 0.3% increase. Approximately 33 homes sold in May 2006 and 37 in May 2005. The data was mixed in June 2006, as median prices declined and average prices rose slightly from the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $564,000, compared to $565,000 in April 2005, which represents a 0.20% drop. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $584,722, compared to $612,897 in April 2005, which represents a 4.6% drop. Approximately 32 homes sold in April 2006 and 36 in April 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $558,000, compared to $545,000 in March 2005, which represents a 1.5% increase. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $589,161, compared to $576,227 in March 2005, which represents a 3.60% increase. Approximately 29 homes sold in March 2006 and 39 in March 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in March 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $560,000, compared to $525,000 in February 2005, which represents a 7.4% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $582,435, compared to $571,708 in February 2005, which represents a 2.50% increase. Approximately 17 home sold in February 2006 and 29 in February 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $585,000 in January 2006, compared to $525,000 in January 2005, which represents a 10% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $634,524, compared to $542,708 in January 2005, which represents a 16.9% increase. Approximately 21 homes sold in January 2006 and 25 in January 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in January 2006 compared to the same period last year.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 19% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. The pricing trends early in the year (January, February and March) were in the upward direction for both median and average prices, which showed increases year-over-year ranging from 1.5% to 16.9%. However, since then, the pricing trend has been downward or mixed depending on the month. For example, April and July demonstrated downward median and average prices ranging from around half a percent up to 5%. For May and June, the median price was down around 2% from the previous year, and the average price was slightly up around half a percent. These findings suggest that at best, prices have leveled off, and at worst, are starting to decline. Continued monitoring of sale data in subsequent months is needed to identify enduring market trends.

Be sure to consult your Realtor on other factors that influence home pricing before buying or selling real estate in Clairemont.

The price of housing is a major challenge in the United States. Some estimates note that more than 50% of the population cannot afford a median priced home. According to National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), of the total number of new and existing homes sold nationwide during the third quarter, only 40.4 percent were affordable for families earning the median U.S. income of $59,600.
But it is good news that housing affordability on the national level has not changed much in the third quarter in spite of a rise in the mortgage interest rates during the last quarter. This was because many markets saw a slight decrease in their home prices, which helped offset the rise in mortgage rates.
Indianapolis (Indiana) is the most affordable city for homes in America, based on the 2006 third quarter report of the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The city achieved this status for the fifth consecutive quarter.
Of the total number of housing units sold in Indianapolis during the third quarter, 86 percent of homes were priced at or below the U.S. median household income of $65,100. Homes in this metro area had a median sales price of $122,000, which is slightly higher from $120,000 of the previous quarter.
It is interesting to note that the most affordable U.S. cities for homes, condos and other real estate are largely from the northern industrial metro areas. The other larger cities that top the list for affordable homes in the third quarter after Indianapolis are Youngstown-Warren-Boardman (Ohio-Pennsylvania); Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn (Michigan); Buffalo-Niagara Falls (New York); and Grand Rapids and Wyoming (Michigan).
The report also lists the top seven smaller cities in America that have the most affordable housing markets. These are: Bay City in Michigan, Springfield in Ohio, Mansfield in Ohio, Lansing-East Lansing in Michigan, Lima in Ohio, Battle Creek in Michigan and Canton-Massillon in Ohio.
For both major metros and small metros, many of the least affordable cities are located in California. The least affordable major metro areas are Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Modesto, Stockton, and San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, in that order. The least affordable smaller metros (less than 500,000 people) include: Salinas, Merced, Madera, Napa, and Santa Barbara-Santa Maria.
The good news for homebuyers is that there are many affordable cities in the United States. Moreover, even for cities that rated poorly for affordability, there may be some communities within the larger city that have affordable housing. For example, although the San Diego metro in California rated poorly overall for affordability, there are some communities in San Diego priced to meet the needs of lower-income home buyers. A good real estate agent can help you choose a community where you want to live based on your housing budget and needs.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Alpine is a community situated in the eastern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 19,227 residents in this Zip code (91901) and 6,597 households. The median age of residents is 38.92 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Alpine is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 76°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 54°F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Alpine include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $400,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high $500,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes in June 2006 was $597,500, which represents a 10.2% decline from the previous year. The number of homes sold in June 2006 was 17, which was down 37% from the previous year.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Bonita is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 18,396 residents in this Zip code (91902) and 5,986 households. The median age of residents is 40.45 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Bonita is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 70°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 57° F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Bonita include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $300,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $400,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $400,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the low $600,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $849,990 in June 2005 to $782,500 in June 2006, which represents a 7.9% decline. However, more homes sold in June 2006 (20 homes) than in June 2005 (7 homes). The average time to sell a home increased slightly from 68 days in June 2005 to 69 days in June 2006. The ratio between the asking price to the sales price increased over the past 12 months. On average, sellers obtained 93.6% of their asking price in June 2005, and 94.5% of their asking price in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Carlsbad is situated in the northern coastal part of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 87,540 residents in this community and 34,052 households. The median age of residents is 38.89 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Carlsbad is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 69. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 55F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Carlsbad include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $783,900 in June 2005 to $749,900 in June 2006, which represents a 4.3% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (49 homes) than in June 2005 (95 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 39 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.

The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased from $481,000 in June 2005 to $434,500 in June 2006, which represents a 9.7% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (36 units) than in June 2005 (84 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 43 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Carmel Valley is a master-planned community located in northern San Diego County within the state of California. The community of Carmel Valley within San Diego is not to be confused with the Carmel Valley region in Northern California.

Carmel Valley lies within the 92130 Zip Code. There are approximately 34,471 residents in this Zip code and 12,387 households. The median age of the population is 35.16 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Carmel Valley is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 56° F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Carmel Valley include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $200,000s

·Two bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $300,000s.

·Three bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the low $500,000s

·Three bedroom single-family house starts in high $500,000s

·Four bedroom single-family home starts in low $700,000s

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes reached $1,080,000 in June 2006, which was a 13.74% increase over June 2005. In contrast, the median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased to $580,000, which was a 7.2 decline from the year before.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

There are two School Districts that serve residents of Carmel Valley. The Solana Beach School District covers the elementary schools in the northern part of Carmel Valley, and the Del Mar Union School District covers the southern region.

Students in Carmel Valley schools undergo annual testing to evaluate their academic performance. The results of these tests are combined by the California Department of Education into a composite score known as the Academic Performance Index (API), which has a range of 200 to 1000. The statewide goal for schools is to achieve a score of 800 or above.

Based on the most recent data available as of July 31, 2006, the highest-ranking elementary school in the Carmel Valley area was Sage Canyon Elementary (API = 963), followed by Torrey Hills School (API=950), Carmel Creek Elementary
(API=946), Solana Pacific Elementary (API=945), Ashley Falls Elementary (API=943), and Carmel Del Mar Elementary (API=917). Carmel Valley Middle School earned an API of 931. For high schools, Canyon Crest Academy had an API=842, and Torrey Pine High had an API =821.

The community of Coronado is located on the central coast of San Diego County. This 13.5 square mile peninsula is accessible via the famous Coronado Bay Bridge, by water ferry from Downtown San Diego, or through Imperial Beach via highway 75.

The real estate and homes for sale in Coronado are some of the most expensive properties in San Diego County. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively low. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 64 single-family homes sold. Approximately 79 homes sold for the same period in 2005. The price of homes in Coronado varies widely from moderately priced small cottages to multi-million dollar estates.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $1,505,000, compared to $1,481,250 in July 2005, which represents a 1.6% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $1,795,179, compared to $1,603,214 in July 2005, which represents an 11.5% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in July 2006 and 14 in July 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for July 2006, with the median price posting a small increase and the average price dropping 11.5%.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $1,775,000, compared to $1,570,000 in June 2005, which represents a 13.1% increase. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $1,998,860, compared to $1,778,214 in June 2005, which represents a 12.4% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 and 21 in June 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $1,200,000, compared to $1,390,000 in May 2005, which represents a 13.7% drop. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $1,576,429, compared to $1,615,692 in May 2005, which represents a 2.4% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in May 2006 and 13 in May 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $2,250,000, compared to $1,450,000 in April 2005, which represents a 55.2% increase. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $2,667,200, compared to $1,731,524 in April 2005, which represents a 54% increase. Approximately 10 homes sold in April 2006 and 7 in April 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a significant upward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $1,650,000, compared to $1,780,000 in March 2005, which represents a 7.3% drop. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $2,219,667, compared to $1,774,667 in March 2005, which represents a 25.1% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in March 2006 and 9 in March 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for March 2006, with a drop in median price and an increase in average price.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $1,185,000, compared to $875,000 in February 2005, which represents a 35.4% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $1,327,000, compared to $1,011,667 in February 2005, which represents a 31.2% increase. Approximately 5 homes sold in February 2006 and 3 in February 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $1,700,000 in January 2006, compared to $1,531,500 in January 2005, which represents an 11% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $1,599,000, compared to $1,717,750 in January 2005, which represents a 6.9% drop. Approximately 5 homes sold in January 2006 and 12 in January 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for January 2006, with a jump in median price and a decline in average price.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 19% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. Besides that, the Coronado real estate market is very hard to characterize because of the limited number of homes that sell every month, and the wide variation in home prices. The median and average prices fluctuated substantially depending on whether or not very expensive homes sold that month or not. Prospective home buyers should seek the advise of an experienced real estate agent to help them understand the micro pricing trends of homes in their price range.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Chula Vista is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 194,939 residents in this community and 62,394 households. The median age of residents is 32.89 years.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature in Chula Vista is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 57°F.

HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES

The housing options in Chula Vista include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:

·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $100,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the low $400,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high$400,000s.

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).

The median price of single-family homes dropped from $610,000 in June 2005 to $595,000 in June 2006, which represents a 2.5% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (127 homes) than in June 2005 (171 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 47 days in June 2005 to 66 days in June 2006.

The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased slightly from $382,250 in June 2005 to $382,000 in June 2006, which represents a .1% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (46 units) than in June 2005 (80 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 52 days in June 2005 to 85 days in June 2006.

Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.

The foreclosure market is an attractive option for buyers wanting to invest in real estate. A foreclosed property is a mortgaged property that has been taken over by the lender due to non-payment of the mortgage. The lender then sells the property in order to recover the money, often at below market prices. Foreclosed homes, condos and other properties can for make excellent investments and is a popular choice for those entering the real estate market.
The October 2006 issue of Business 2.0 Magazine ranks the top 10 foreclosure markets in the United States. Greeley in Colorado tops the list followed by Detroit in Michigan, Miami in Florida, Indianapolis in Indiana, Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, Denver in Colorado, Dayton in Ohio, Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, and Atlanta in Georgia.
Greeley, CO, has the largest number of foreclosure households in the country, with 0.59% of homes falling in the category, an increase by 14.7% since January 2006. The report holds aggressive residential development, risky underwriting practices and stagnant wages as the main causes.
Detroit, MI, stands next with 0.51% of the households in foreclosure. The badly performing auto industry and the resulting impact to autoworkers’ incomes has contributed to number of homes in foreclosure in this city.
Third on the list is Miami, FL, where 0.37% of the households are in foreclosure, a staggering 91% increase since January 2006. The report states a weakening economy, higher property insurance premiums, and rising energy and interest rates, as the reasons for this rapid increase.
The fourth among the top ten foreclosure markets is Indianapolis, IN. Although the foreclosure rates are slightly lower from last year, still the portion of households in foreclosure stands at 0.35%. Setbacks and layoffs in the city’s auto industry together with falling home prices have contributed to foreclosure rates in this city.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, stands fifth with 0.34% of households entering foreclosure, which is up by a whopping 118.5% since January 2006.
Denver (with 0.33% of households in foreclosure), Dayton (with 0.33% of households in foreclosure), Dallas (with 0.31% of households in foreclosures), Fort Worth (with 0.31% of households in foreclosure) and Atlanta (with 0.31% of households in foreclosures) round out the top 10 foreclosure markets.
If you are looking to invest in the foreclosure market, consult a real estate agent who can help you clinch the best deal on the foreclosure property of your choice.

Eager to know the top cites in America where one can safely invest? Here are the best real estate markets in the entire country according to a recent report from Business 2.0 Magazine. The November 2006 edition of the magazine lists the top ten cities that are ideal to buy a home. These are – Panama City and Vero Beach in Florida, Bridgeport in Connecticut, Lakeland in Florida, McAllen in Texas, San Luis Obispo in California, Wilmington in North Carolina, Manchester in New Hampshire, Fort Collins in Colorado and Atlanta in Georgia. The report cites the appreciation rates of home prices projected over a period of five years.
Florida enjoys the status of having three of the top four cities to invest in. Panama City, which tops the list of best places to buy real estate is expected to have a real estate appreciation of 72% over the next five years. Major real estate development projects such as the building of a new airport and low property prices are expected to boost the economy and the housing market.
Vero Beach, projected to have an appreciation of 64%, comes second for its excellent weather, low property taxes and a lower cost of living. Lakeland, with a 59% projected gain in home prices is a tempting option with homes selling for a fifth less than the national median price.
Buying a home in Bridgeport, CT is a bargain now with median home prices at a very low $280,000 compared to the rest of the Fairfield County. Home prices in McAllen, TX which holds the fifth place, are expected to soar by 57%.
It is estimated that homes in the McAllen, TX area may appreciate 57 percent with an increase in the median home price from $70,000 to $109,000.
Homeowners making an investment in San Luis Obispo, California, today, are expected to get a good appreciation (40%) on their homes over the next five years.
The median home price in Wilmington, NC is expected to increase to $297,000 by 2011, up from the current price of $217,000, an increase by 37%.
Manchester, NH, which has twice been rated as the ‘best place to live’ in America by Money Magazine, sits at eighth place with an expected appreciation of 35%.
Fort Collins and Atlanta follow in the ninth and tenth places of top cities for real estate investment in the USA. Fort Collins, one of the most popular cities in America, has been ranked as the ‘No.1 small city’ this year by Money Magazine. Recent price reductions in the housing market makes ‘now’ the best time to buy a home or condo in this city with an estimated property appreciation of 28%. Atlanta is poised for a significant appreciation too with an expected rise of up to 24% in home prices over the next five years.
So, if you are a prospective homebuyer set to take a plunge into any of the top ten real estate markets, it is the right time to enlist the services of a good real estate agent who can guide you through the complicated home buying process.

Buying a home is a big-time real estate investment and has to be done with great prudence. Knowing where not to buy a home is as important as are the dos and don’ts of buying a home.
Of the many top ten lists on CNNMoney.com, there is listed the top ten overvalued cities in America where it is better not to buy a home for the next two years or so. The report states a variety of reasons for the unfavorable market conditions.
Five cities in California – Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Sacramento and Stockton, figure among the top ten cities that have the least possibility of home price appreciation. Home prices have reached a new high (by nearly 60%) in these areas over the past two years. With an economy driven by agriculture and relatively higher unemployment rates anticipated for that area, the real estate market is predicted to slump in the region.
Although three cities in Florida are recommended as good real estate buys, the report also cites four others in Southwest Florida that fall among the very bottom of the list. With home prices here expected to plummet very soon, cities like Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda and Sarasota are those that one would do best to avoid for a year’s time or so, while buying a home or a condo.
Market prices are expected to decline in the Jersey Shore (New Jersey) area that saw a radical boom in the last two quarters. Although home prices in the third quarter have rebounded from the slight drop during the second quarter, the bubble is expected to burst soon and the overpriced market is likely to stabilize. The popular seaside cities of New Jersey, Atlantic City and Ocean city are anticipated to fall under the unfavorable list.
In Phoenix, Arizona, a hot favorite among investors last year, sliding home prices may to be an unavoidable occurrence in the next 12 months. With home prices dropping by more than $100,000 in some residential developments and investors trying to sell off their property, it is safer to wait for a year or longer before investing here.
Economists at Moody’s Economy.com also predict a sharp decline in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California’s Inland Empire.
The bottom ten cities that are likely to see major drops in median home prices during the coming year are Stockton, (leading the list with a predicted fall of 9.7%), Merced, Reno/Sparks, Fresno, Vallejo/Fairfield, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Sacramento, Washington, D.C and Tucson.
Given these fluctuating real estate market conditions, one should exercise a great deal of caution when investing in real estate. It makes sense to get the expert advice of a real estate agent to advise you about your next home purchase, since agents often have access to the most up-to-date real estate market data and neighborhood pricing trends.

Central San Diego Real Estate Market – Mid Year Snapshot of Median Prices (2006) – Single Family Homes
As of this writing, the San Diego real estate markets appears to have shifted from one that favors sellers to one that favors buyers. However, this premise may not hold true for all communities within San Diego, as median prices for some communities continue to rise while others fall.
While there are many metrics to evaluate the real estate pricing trends of a community, one commonly used parameter is to evaluate the median price of homes from one point in time against a prior point of time. The median price reflects the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The median price metric provides one method to analyze the direction of home prices, but should not be used as the sole source of data from which to form conclusions.
The data below is a comparison of median prices for various communities in central San Diego County, comparing data from June 2005 against data for June 2006. This information is only one metric at a particular point in time, and other metrics or data from future months may support or dispute the pricing trends noted below. For some of the San Diego communities presented below, very few homes sold during June 2006, which diminishes the usefulness of the median price metric.
COMMUNITIES WITH INCREASES IN MEDIAN PRICE – SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – JUNE 2006
The data below pertains only to the sales of single-family homes, and does not include condominiums or townhomes. The data is organized by the magnitude of change in median price, with the highest change in median price presented first.
For the Coronado real estate market, the median price was $1,775,000, which represents a 14.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 (21 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Point Loma real estate market, the median price was $1,024,068, which represents an 11.4% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 20 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).
For the University City (UTC) real estate market, the median price was $780,000, which represents a 10.6% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 5 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).
For the La Jolla real estate market, the median price was $1,692,500, which represents a 10.3% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 28 homes sold in June 2006 (38 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Logan Heights real estate market, the median price was $425,000, which represents a 7.6% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 13 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Paradise Hills real estate market, the median price was $507,500, which represents a 5.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 8 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Mission Hills real estate market, the median price was $927,500, which represents a 3.1% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 11 homes sold in June 2006 (12 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Scripps Ranch (Scripps Miramar) real estate market, the median price was $759,250, which represents a 2.8% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 34 homes sold this month (43 homes sold in June 2005).
For the San Carlos real estate market, the median price was $563,000, which represents a 2.4% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 12 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Del Cerro real estate market, the median price was $557,500, which represents a 2.1% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 13 homes sold in June 2006 (30 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Normal Heights real estate market, the median price was $676,250, which represents a 1.7% increase from the same time last year. Approximately 20 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).
COMMUNITIES WITH DECREASES IN MEDIAN PRICE – SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – JUNE 2006
The data below pertains only to the sales of single-family homes, and does not include condominiums or townhomes. The data is organized by the magnitude of change in median price, with the highest change in median price presented first.
For the Old Town real estate market, the median price was $580,000, which was a 19.1% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 5 homes sold in June 2006 (14 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Golden Hill real estate market, the median price was $451,000, which was a 16.4% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 10 homes sold in June 2006 (13 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Pacific Beach real estate market, the median price was $851,960, which represents a 14.8% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 (19 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Tierrasanta real estate market, the median price was $570,000, which represents a 12.6% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 9 homes sold in June 2006 (17 homes sold in June 2005).
For the North Park real estate market, the median price was $560,000, which represents a 9.7% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 31 homes sold in June 2006 (16 homes sold in June 2005).
For the College Grove real estate market, the median price was $475,000, which represents a 5.9% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 38 homes sold in June 2006 (40 homes sold in June 2005).
For the City Heights real estate market, the median price was $390,00, which represents a 5.3% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 17 homes sold in June 2006 (30 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Mira Mesa real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 4.7% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 45 homes sold in June 2006 (47 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Linda Vista real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 4.2% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 16 homes sold in June 2006 (17 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Mission Valley real estate market, the median price was $510,000, which represents a 3.8% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 7 homes sold in June 2006 (18 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Encanto real estate market, the median price was $435,000, which represents a 3.3% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 36 homes sold in June 2006 (47 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Clairemont real estate market, the median price was $555,000, which represents a 2.6% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 30 homes sold in June 2006 (34 homes sold in June 2005).
For the Sorrento Valley real estate market, the median price was $861,000, which represents a 1% decline from the same time last year. Approximately 6 homes sold in June 2006 (5 homes sold in June 2005).
ADVISORY
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time, and is not conclusive of the pricing trends for any community. For some communities presented above, very few homes were sold during June 2006, which makes the use of the median price metric of limited value. The data must be evaluated over a longer duration, and involve multiple metrics to fully understand enduring market trends. Contact your Realtor to obtain information about enduring market trends for any given community.