California Horse 'n Home

2010 SALES STATS AND MORE
January 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010

    Here's what we all love to hate - the real estate sales statistics for our neighborhood - Lake Mathews, Gavilan Hills and Gavilan Springs. But before we get to all that there's some great information that came to light as we were pulling the information together:

We're #1 In Home Sales
In The Lake Mathews, Gavilan Hills And Gavilan Springs Area
Land of The Hawk  had TWICE as many sales for 2010 (as of 10/31/2010) as any other broker in the geographic area I use to produce sales statistics for my blog. Twice as many sales as all Tarbell offices combined, twice as many sales as Realty Executives and well ahead of FIRST Team, Prudential, Keller Williams, Re/Max All Stars and all other brokers in Southern California.

There's a lot to be said about the tag line for
Land of the Hawk Realty
"Your Only Live & Local Real Estate Office"
If you are considering selling your home or a buyer searching for the perfect property, call me or stop by our office and ask for Mary Jo. We get results.

•   NOW FOR THE EXCITING STATISTICS   • 
"Drum roll, please..."  

    The following statistics were gathered from the MRMLS listing service and deemed to be reasonably reliable. The geographic area represented is comprised of the following Thomas Bros. Map Guide pages: 775 south of Cajalco Rd., all of 805 and properties west of juniper Rd. on page 806 (properties in the mobile home development along Gavilan Rd. are excluded).

DESCRIPTION	2009	2010	% CHANGE
CLOSED SALES	37	40	+8%
REO SALES*	26	19	-28%
SHORT PAY*	2	9	+350%
STD (owner)	9	12	+35%
TOTAL SALES	$13,552,950	$14,331,250	+5.7%
AVERAGE PRICE	$366,296	$358,281	-2.2%

    *REO and *SPAY sales represented 76% of CLOSED sales in 2009 and 70% in 2010 - the combination of the two still dominate the sales market.

    ACTIVE LISTINGS: As of November 12, 2010 there were 21 active listings in our area: 3 - REO; 3 - SPAY; 15 - **STD. Total volume is $9,156,797.00 with an average listing price of $436,038.00.  
    **A bit of clarification regarding the STD listings is necessary. One of the listings is a "flipper" - purchased as an REO or SPAY and relisted in hopes of a quick profit.

Is There Light At The End Of The Tunnel?  

    Well...  Yes and No. On the positive side (which is the side I relate to) we see an increase in the number of closed sales from last year and a decrease in the number of REO sales. Yes, there is a considerable increase in SPAY's, but to me that means the banks are working with homeowners to avoid foreclosure. The combined total (REO + SPAY) is the same as last year at this time so it isn't getting worse. 
    What I like best is the number of STD listings = 15, when compared to REO/SPAY combined = 6. To me, this is very positive - especially if the trend continues in that direction. And, although the average sales prices is still down from from last year, it's up almost $24K from the end of July. I'm not sure I would call it a surge but it is a good sign.
    On the negative side the REO's and SPAY's are still prominent and holding the market at bay and the current administration's programs have not produced the results they hoped for. And, more than likely we're not going to see significant change in the housing market from further government intervention.
     There are many that believe the housing market problem was partially due to our government, and/or government supported groups, using strong arm taticts to force lenders into making loans to unqualified buyers. Whatever the case may be - we are where we are - let the "free" market ring.

INTERESTING READING
Here are links to sites providing information that might be of interest

Year-end Tax Planning: http://businesswest.com/2010/11/year-end-tax-planning
Holmes vs Summer - landmark case - choose your agent wisely: http://firsttuesdayjournal.com/holmes-v-summer-dilatory-disclosures-and-the-damage-done/

Heart Warming Horse Stories

Love Conquers All - http://www.horse2heart.com/love-conquers-heartwarming-horse-story
This is a "MUST" read Christmas story: http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/nursery/story.htm

Mary Jo Placka
951-707-7832  cell        951-780-0856  home
License #01707120
Land of the Hawk Realty
17679 Cajalco Road, Lake Mathews, CA 92570
(we're next to Lake Mathews Feed, across from the Fire Station)
951-940-9401

   Note: Just to set things straight - Gary Hillman (DRE Lic#00582430) does NOT represent Land of the Hawk Realty in any capacity whatsoever. He sold his interest to the current owners a few years ago, moved out of state, recently returned and now works for a broker in the local mountain area.