In reviewing the year-to-date activity for 2015, the real estate market volume on San Juan Island reflects an increase of 7.5 percent for the period of January through September as compared to the same period in 2014. This gain is less than the percentage we enjoyed during the same period of 2013 over 2014 when the increase in volume was 33 percent. As for the number of transactions, we are down 6 percent as compared to the same period in 2014. This decrease is attributed to the higher number of high-end sales that have occurred this year; fewer transaction numbers but higher sale prices contributing to the volume.
A gradual recovery is a description which can be frustrating for some of the property owners in our market. We have yet to enjoy appreciation or enough inventory absorption to add upward pressure on our prices. Although our closing volume is an increase over last year, we are replacing the sold properties in some categories just as fast with new listings and maintaining a steady inventory level.
As of October 1, 2015, we have a total of 371 property listings on San Juan in the NWMLS, with 34 of those properties in escrow. In October 2014 and October 2013, we had 390 listings with 34 properties in escrow and 389 with 30 in escrow, respectively. These totals include all types of property. The similarity of inventory for the last three years is one of the reasons our recovery is gradual and not as robust as the metropolitan areas surrounding us. The metropolitan area’s market is fueled by their increasing number of jobs, which is not the case on San Juan.
As evidence of property owner frustration, we currently have a total of 192 ACTIVE single family, condominiums, and manufactured homes that have already been on the market for an average of 353 days and counting. Thirty percent or 57 of those property owners have had their homes on the market in excess of the average number of days. That is a long time to insure that your property is “show ready” and make your bed every day.
We have been maintaining the amount of inventory over the last three years by regular replacement of the sold properties with new listings and continuing to hold the property listings that have been on the market for several years. In this buyer’s market it is all about pricing and listings that are priced properly to sell in a timely manner. If sellers desire action around their listing, they should price their property to sell based on the level of recovery in our market and amount of inventory that is in direct competition.
Bottom line: Sellers need to price their property prettier than the competition and honestly analyze their property as it compares to the sold comparable properties. Price the road noise, airplane noise, and the steep driveways accordingly. Until the inventory reduces, our market recovery will remain Gradual.
When showing property in most categories, a buyer can select 7–10 properties to inspect, that is about 4–6 too many. There is no sense of urgency on the part of the buyers as they feel they can wait longer until the perfect listing is originated. We have had very few multiple offers and sellers are negotiating year-to-date on average 6 percent off list price on homes at the time of sale.
Two of the most notable segments of our market that show the most recovery are the home sales under $400,000 and over $1,000,000. The most active segment of our market is home sales under $400,000, with a total of 52 sales year-to-date. This segment of inventory is also changing with recovery. A year ago, an agent could note several nice homes listed for under $250,000. Currently, it is very difficult to find a nice home under $300,000; most are cabins or structures that would not qualify for bank financing. This has a detrimental effect on our community’s affordability and a direct impact on our first time homebuyers. Most buyers in this price range rely upon bank financing and have minimum down payments, so the lenders require the collateral to be in good condition and conforming. This restructuring of inventory may be attributed to the lack of bank owned properties or short sales in our market, which is a good thing, but a change. I predict that by next year this time, I will be writing that we are unable to find nice homes under $325,000 that qualify for bank financing.
Year-to-date we have closed 14 homes on San Juan in excess of $1M that were listed in the NWMLS and two additional sales that were not listed, although agents may have been involved. The total volume for these sales was $33,094,000. Last year, for the same period we had closed 13 with total volume of $21,073,000. We currently have another six in escrow and may finish the year with over 20 home sales in this segment of our market.
It is interesting to note that our 2015 sales volume reflects an increase over the same period in 2014 of $6,654,841, and the activity in the high-end of our market reflects an increase volume of $12,021,000. If it hadn’t been for the high-end sale activity, our market may have been static to 2014.
In a few of the categories, those offering special features, the inventory is actually tight. Homes and lots offering private or shared docks would be considered tight. The lowest priced waterfront lot with dock is priced at $495,000. The lowest priced cabin with dock is $695,000 and the lowest home with dock is $1,495,000.
SELLER ADVICE: Price pretty, properties that have been on the market for over one year without any enhancements or price adjustments are not likely to enter the “sold” category anytime soon.
BUYER ADVICE: We have great buying opportunities in our market but momentum is building towards more recovery. We won’t remain a buyer’s market for much longer.
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