Below are the monthly indicators for the HomeDex North County home market activity for both attached and detached homes:

If the last few months are an indication of the temperature of housing markets across the country, a period of relative calm can be expected during the last three months of the year. A trend of market balance is emerging as we approach the end of 2018. Prices are still rising in most areas including North County, and the number of homes for sale is still low, but there is a general shrinking of year-over-year percentage change gaps in sales, inventory and prices.

Closed Sales decreased 15.6 percent for Detached homes and 15.3 percent for Attached homes. Pending Sales decreased 3.5 percent for Detached homes but increased 1.9 percent for Attached homes. The Median Sales Price was up 5.1 percent to $715,000 for Detached homes and 13.3 percent to $465,000 for Attached homes.

Days on Market increased 8.3 percent for Detached homes and 15.4 percent for Attached homes in North County. Supply increased 40.9 percent for Detached homes and 40.0 percent for Attached homes. Stock markets experienced an October setback, but that does not necessarily translate to a decline in the real estate market.

The national unemployment rate has been below 4.0 percent for three straight months and during five of the last six months. This is exceptional news for industries related to real estate. Meanwhile, homebuilder confidence remains positive, homeownership rates have increased in the key under-35 buyer group and prices, though still rising, have widely reduced the march toward record highs.

Information from: North San Diego County Association of Realtors.

The housing market continues to stay competitive according to the latest HomeDex Report for North County San Diego attached and detached homes:

Just like last year at this time, prospective home buyers should expect a competitive housing market for the next several months. With payrolls trending upward and unemployment trending downward month after month in an extensive string of positive economic news, demand remains quite strong.

Given the fact that gradually rising mortgage rates often infuse urgency to get into a new home before it costs more later, buyers need to remain watchful of new listings and make their offers quickly.

Closed Sales decreased 18.4 percent for Detached homes and 17.0 percent for Attached homes. Pending Sales decreased 5.9 percent for Detached homes and 3.4 percent for Attached homes.

The Median Sales Price was up 4.0 percent to $728,000 for Detached homes and 10.0 percent to $480,000 for Attached homes. Days on Market decreased 7.1 percent for Detached homes and 19.0 percent for Attached homes.

Supply increased 8.3 percent for Detached homes and 14.3 percent for Attached homes.

Although home sales may actually drop in year-over-year comparisons over the next few months, that has more to do with low inventory than a lack of buyer interest. As lower days on market and higher prices persist year after year, one might rationally expect a change in the outlook for residential real estate, yet the current situation has proven to be remarkably sustainable likely due to stronger fundamentals in home loan approvals than were in place a decade ago.

Want to find out more about the HomeDex Report for your home? Call The Lawhead Team!

The Lawhead Team would like to share our latest listing at 2120 Softwind Lane Encinitas, CA.

• Fabulous Encinitas location on cul de sac with no one behind you.
• 3 car garage
• Huge useable yard
• Freshly painted inside and out
• Lots of storage in the garage
• Huge balcony/deck accessed by two secondary bedrooms upstairs
• Romantic fireplaces in the family room and master bedroom
• Walk to elementary and middle schools
• Community pool, spa, tennis courts & playgrounds.

Check out the full listing for more photos at Coldwell Banker Homes

The Lawhead Team would like to share these fall tips from HomeAdvisor to help you stage your kitchen for the season. 

1. Fall counter decor

You should always keep the countertops nearly clear when potential homebuyers are walking through. In fact, you should keep it down to about two to three essentials if you’re living there from day to day. For the fall season, you can add small elements like placemats, fruit and leaf decor (window drapings, vase, etc.).

2.  “Fall odors”

The smell of leaves, apple pie, pumpkin and cinnamon evoke the cozy feelings of fall. Candles are nice and actually baking something “fall-like” before a showing is a sure way to make potential buyers feel more at home during a showing.

3. Colors of fall

Depending on the current condition of your home, you might consider a fresh coat of paint. What color you decide to use may or may not be influenced by the season. While you should always lean towards neutral colors, you might consider accent walls or cabinets in browns or dark tones of red or green if you think they would work.

4. Bring nature in

If there are windows in the kitchen, make sure to keep them clean. Depending on the weather outside during a showing, you might open them and let the fresh air in. It helps to create a flow between nature outside and the atmosphere you’re trying to create in the kitchen. If your budget allows, you might also accent the windows with fall-like window treatments to create an even easier flow.

5. Natural lighting elements

Lighting is an essential element of home staging, no matter the season. In fall, in particular, it’s all about enhancing the twilight or sunset and complementing of all the fall colors. For lighting in your kitchen, consider accent and track lighting. Or, you could install recessed lighting on a dimmer switch, which will allow you to control the brightness of the kitchen to complement the mood outside.

The Lawhead Team would like to share our latest listing in Old Creek Ranch. 

This 2 bedroom 2.5 bath townhouse is located at 2117 Cosmo Way San Marcos, CA 92078. Price: $438,000

One of the most upgraded townhomes in the desirable Solaire complex in Old Creek Ranch. The only unit in the complex with a fireplace!

• Beautiful laminate flooring.
• Center island in kitchen was expanded and has quartz countertops
• Upgraded glass subway tile as backsplash
• Stainless steel appliances and beautiful dark cabinetry
• Downstairs den has custom built-ins
• Surround sound in the living room and master bedroom
• Central air conditioning
• Custom interior paint
• Great quiet location

Check out the full listing here.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest HomeDex Report for median sales prices for detached single-family homes in Cardiff, Carlsbad, Aviara, and Encinitas.

Median Sale Price – Detached Single-Family 

Rolling 12-Month Calculation

• 92024 Encinitas —
• North San Diego County —

(click photo for larger view)

• 92011 Carlsbad —
• North San Diego County —

(click photo for larger view)

• 92009 Carlsbad —
• North San Diego County —

(click photo for larger view)

• 92007 Cardiff —
• North San Diego County —

(click photo for larger view)

Source: North San Diego County Association of REALTORS

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest housing affordability statistics for detached homes in North San Diego area from HomeDexTM

Are you looking to purchase a home in North San Diego County? Check out the latest in housing affordability from the CAR’s HomeDex Report:

Housing Affordability – Single-Family Detached Homes

• The monthly payment – including principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance – for the median-priced SFD home in North San Diego County fell, from $3,004 in September 2014 (based on a conventional mortgage) to $2,826 in October 2014.
• The monthly payment for the median-priced SFD home in non-North San Diego County declined, from $2,338 in September 2014 to $2,313 in October 2014.
• The percent of San Diego County households that could afford the median-priced SFD home in North County increased, from 25 percent in September 2014 to 28 percent in October 2014, according to the North San Diego County HomeDex; the affordability percentage in non-North County zip codes also increased, from 36 percent in September 2014 to 37 percent in October 2014.
• The affordability percentage was 25 percent in North San Diego County and 37 percent in non-North San Diego County in October 2013.
• The HomeDexTM affordability percentage for all homes in North San Diego County – single-family detached and single-family attached together – remained at 32 percent in October 2014

Housing Affordability – Single-Family Attached Homes

• The monthly payment – including principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance – for the median-priced SFA home in North County increased to $1,932 in October 2014. The monthly payment for the median-priced SFA home in non-North San Diego County zip codes dropped, to $1,561 in October 2014 from $1,602 in September 2014.
• The percent of San Diego County households able to afford the median-priced SFA home in North County fell, from 46 percent in September 2014 to 45 percent in October 2014.
• The SFA home affordability level for non-North San Diego County zip code increased, to 56 percent in October 2014 from 54 percent in September 2014.
• 52 percent of county households were able to afford the median-priced SFA home in North San Diego County in October 2013; 57 percent were able to afford the median-priced SFA home in non-North County zip codes in October 2013.