With the winter storms mostly behind us, the San Francisco Bay Area is enjoying some much needed sunshine. After all, how else are we going to generate all that solar power? And with that sunshine have come the buyers.

In our monthly recap of sales for February, volume was up from last month, as were prices compared to last month as well as a year ago. Marketing times were down about 10 days from last month to just 50 days on the market. Another interesting thing is that, selling prices are just over 100% of listing prices in all 3 categories we track. What does this mean? Sellers are becoming more realistic about pricing their homes as opposed to significantly under pricing them to entice multiple offer situations. Also, the properties that are selling are priced right! It takes a good sense of the market to be accurate on pricing.  Perhaps savvy Realtors coupled with a changing market are to be credited for this approach.

It seems like all we hear these days is bad news and gloom and doom.  Sometimes I wonder if I am living in the same world as the news media is reporting. What I am experiencing is an active market with many buyers wanting to buy the right property.  My problem seems to be having enough choices for my buyers.  All of my listings are sold as soon as we come on the market or even before we hit the open market.  This is somewhat a function of the time of the year--- our market typically does not pick up (have inventory coming on the market) until mid-March to April. But it is also the San Francisco market-- low supply and high demand.  So if you are thinking of selling, now is a good time while inventories are low.

In the recent past we have been the recipient of many referrals from other areas, and we would love to return the favor! Need an agent in another area? We know many to whom we can refer with confidence. We have already sent some happy buyers and sellers outside of San Francisco. So if you or someone you know needs to buy or sell property somewhere else in the country, keep us in mind. In return for the lead, we'll give you a chance to win our Rewards for RE-ferrals contest for a weekend in Tahoe.

Want to vacation in North Lake Tahoe? We have a very nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium available for rent in Tahoe City at Tahoe Marina Lodge, a lake front complex. This unit has panoramic lake and mountain views yet is within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Tahoe is an excellent place to get away from the fast pace of city life and enjoy nature. This is the condominium we use for our Rewards for RE-ferrals.

Want to sit on the beach on the Big Island of Hawaii? We have a fabulous 3 bedroom, 3 and 1/2 bath beach front condo at Waikoloa on the Big Island available for rent with ocean views and steps from the "A" Bay beach. Kolea is a gated community close to all of the amenities of Waikoloa-- swim with the dolphins, golf, swim, snorkel or just enjoy the sun. Send us an e-mail or call for details. This condo is also on the market!

Hello from Christine!

Are you living in California and 55 or older and looking to buy a new home but don't want to give up your low property taxes?

If you would like to sell your present home and buy another home of equal or lesser value (within the same county) then Proposition 60 may give you an opportunity for property tax relief.  Proposition 60 allows the property tax of the original (sold) property to be transferred to the newly purchased or constructed home, under certain conditions. To find out what the eligibility requirements are, you can visit the California State Board of Equalization's website or contact your County Assessor's Office.

Remember that we represent buyers and sellers at all price points and in most areas of San Francisco. We love to help friends get established in the market and make their first purchase -- it is exciting for all of us.

Interest Rates
See what Foster Weeks says every Monday about interest rates in his weekly newsletter and on our Blog.

Giants Tickets

Any day now, we will be receiving our tickets for seats in Lower Box 121 row 40, seats 5 & 6 which we love to share with clients and friends. If you are interested in any of the following dates, e-mail Info and let us know what date you prefer. As soon as the tickets become available we will mail them out. And watch next month for the next set of games to be released!

Regular Season Starts

SD = San Diego Padres, STL = St. Louis Cardinals, ARI = Arizona Diamondbacks

"The nicest compliment you can give us is to refer others within your circle"
Toll Free (866) 224-8024

Send a blank e-mail to unsubscribe.
If you are a Realtor, by opting out you will be removed from our referral network.

Back to home page | Back to newsletter table of contents