Paul & Pam's Home News/FEB 2012

2012 Looking Promising--  so far . . .   As January's sales numbers go, sales volume continues to be up as much as 17 percent after comparing the last two 12-month periods.    The total number of homes sold for all areas thus far for 2012 is 114. Last year's total this time was 120. The current median price of a home for the same areas is $399,000.   The average number of days homes are spending on the market is 144; this current figure is only for one month and is the result of a few homes that were over-priced but that had finally sold after nearly a year of market time.  This figure for 2011 was 108. Days on Market is determined by the time a home goes onto the MLS and when it goes into escrow and is noted as a "pending sale."   Lastly, the average "list-to-sale-price ratio" is 96 percent; for 2011 this ratio was 96 percent. This statistic is the difference between what a home is listed for versus what it actually sells for. Finally, the current average inventory of unsold homes is 4.60 months; for 2011 it was 4.66 months.   What are the current trends?    Right now, "well-priced" entry level homes (between $100K and $300K) are being snatched up by first-time buyers and investors alike; so much so that inventory is at an all-time low.  Many are selling at list price.    Well-priced mid range homes (between $300K and $500K) are seeing a lot more activity than in the recent past-- especially now that more buyers are in a better position to make a "move up" from a lower to a higher price range. The prices of upper range homes ($500K and up); however, are much more negotiable-- especially if a seller has grossly over-priced the property.      2012 Forecast:  with current home prices down to 2002 levels, with interest rates being held artificially low, with sales volume continuing to pick up steam, and with replacement costs far below that of new construction, 2012 promises to be a great year for those who recognize the opportunities associated with the current trends.     Don't wait for things to change . . .  call us to help you to either sell and/or buy a home, Today!      Interested in the latest market data for your area of the Central Coast? . . . just click to View the latest "Year-to-date" Sales Stats by Area   Sellers:  Want an idea of your home's value?   Just click for a Free CMA  then, enter & send your home's basic data, and you'll have a"comparative market analysis" or CMA in no time!   Or, click to Search all Comparable Homes  Just fill in all of your home's particulars and location, hit "search," and you'll be viewing all the current/comparable listings on the MLS.    If you want to sell and you don't like the listing price we suggest, we recommend getting an independent/third party appraisal (approx. $350).  If we are able to use the appraisal to generate a competitive listing price and we help you sell the home, we'll reimburse the cost of the appraisal at the close of escrow.        The most detrimental thing you can do when selling is to have an agent list your home for more than the market data suggests.  In this market, time is money:  "the more time it takes, the more you stand to lose by chasing the market down."          Buyers:  You can now freely search the entire MLS on our website! There's no annoying contact data to leave so search to your heart's content!      Just click to Search Local Homes , fill in the particulars and location of the type of home you are looking for, hit search, and you soon may be looking at the perfect home!       Looking for the latest Bank-Owned home, Short Sale, or specialty property?   Simply click to "Get the Latest Listings by Email" and specify the type of home, price range, and area. You'll soon be receiving all the latest corresponding listings the minute they go onto the MLS!           Interest Rates . . .     Rates continue to amaze, but keep in mind:  "a one percent rate increase will cut your buying power by 10 percent!"     Click to View the Latest Interest Rates     February Close-of-Escrow Anniversaries . . .     Bill & Claudia Gahafer, 2/27/97; Darrol Johnson, 2/16/01; Wilson Roth, 2/24/04. Please let us know if you need a current market analysis of your home.      Pickering Update . . .     With all of the excitement and activity the holidays generate, it seems like we were finally able to decompress a little last month.  It's a good thing too because Paul is getting busy preparing a couple of new listings he'll be bringing onto the market--  in addition to helping an assortment of buyers look for homes.  Farm Supply has also been very busy-- in spite of winter being the company's slow season.    Aside from work, Paul helped me celebrated my birthday last month with dinner at Giuseppe's, our favorite local restaurant, in San Luis Obispo. We also spent a relaxed Sunday morning at a beautiful and secluded little beach, just north of Cayucos, looking for sea glass (see photo below).  Thanks to good friends, Lee and Melody, I'm now an aficionado with my own colorful and growing collection.    The Cayucos Sea Glass Festival will also be held this coming March 10th and 11th and I'm planning on attending. If anyone would like to join me or would like more information, just click this link to see the festival's web-page.  It would be great to see you there!    In the meantime, have a pleasant February everyone!     Editor-in-Chief,  Pam         p.s. if you know someone who needs to buy or sell a home, please have them contact us.  We'll be happy to help.     "Thanks to all of those who continue to refer their friends and family!"        Paul & Pam Pickering Broker Associate & Licensed Assistant, Bay Osos Brokers, CA RE Lic. 997005  &  1886831     Paul's Cell:   805 235 3221   Pam's Cell:  235 7892   Website:  SLOhomes4sale.com   Email:   paul@slohomes4sale.com   Proud Supporters of the SLO Food Bank Coalition   Friend us on Facebook via link below!        February Photo-of-the-Month:  "Secret Spot Sea Glass"   Pam Pickering, Editor & Photographer *E-Newsletter & Scenic Coast MLS statistics copyright 2012© SLO County Recorder's Office is an additional statistics source

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