As I mentioned in my “MLS Survey Legend”, the data that I provide each week was initially intended for the Salespeople and Broker Associates in my office. Each week for more than the past 10 years, I have been keeping track of the market conditions in these six communities surrounding our San Mateo office. I have defined this area as our “Primary Market Area” as we live and work, for the most part, in these communities. Each week to demonstrate to my office that I don’t have a life, I put together this information and discuss it at our Monday Morning Sales Meetings so that they will have a snapshot of what is going on in the current market place and a 3 year historical perspective. Information I consider “Cocktail Fodder” our associates can share at neighborhood cocktail parties that demonstrate an acute awareness of market conditions, past and present. At my meeting this past Monday, one of my fellow managers was present and asked me how far back I keep the information and did I have the same data for 2004? Actually, I do. I’m slowing learning how to post the stuff I want on this site, and next week I am hiring someone to teach me how to post links on the right hand side of my home page to different data that covers longer periods of time and larger geographical areas. The first things I want to post in that area are the six charts I’ve created for all of San Mateo County sales activity for 1999 – 2009. Three of those charts are for single family homes and three are for condo/townhouses. (Class I and Class 2, respectively in MLS). Each class is then broken down to show number of closed units, average sales price and average days on the market. There are some interesting hypothesis and conclusions that can me drawn from these charts, so look for them soon.
The reason I wanted you to be aware of the San Mateo County information is because 2004 had the highest number of homes and condos that sold during that 11 year period. How does today’s market activity compare with that banner year? Below you will find the links to the attached spread sheets for this week, the three years prior during the same time of the year and the Chart showing the relationships and trend lines of the different MLS listing Status. As a bonus this week, I’ve included the spread sheet for March 21, 2004 for you to compare. How’s the market looking to you?
How will interest rates, unemployment/employment, consumer confidence, tax credits and a myriad of new laws impact this market in the very near future? If you think the market is never going to reach the levels it did before, take a moment to think about the significant historical events that have occurred in the past 11 years and overlay them on the San Mateo County chart when I get it posted.
Have wonderful Spring!
