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.

Want to know what is going on in North County San Diego when it comes to buying and selling homes? Check out the latest statistics from the HomeDex report:

• Rising home prices, higher interest rates and increased building material costs have pressured housing affordability to a ten-year low, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Keen market observers have been watching this situation take shape for quite some time. Nationally, median household income has risen 2.6% in the last 12 months, while home prices are up 6.0%. That kind of gap will eventually create fewer sales due to affordability concerns, which is happening in several markets, especially in the middle to high-middle price ranges.
• Closed Sales decreased 15.3 percent for Detached homes and 15.3 percent for Attached homes. Pending Sales decreased 9.4 percent for Detached homes and 10.4 percent for Attached homes.
• The Median Sales Price was up 9.4 percent to $755,000 for Detached homes and 2.3 percent to $445,000 for Attached homes. Days on Market increased 12.9 percent for Detached homes and 25.0 percent for Attached homes. Supply increased 25.0 percent for Detached homes and 46.7 percent for Attached homes.
• While some are starting to look for recessionary signs like fewer sales, dropping prices and even foreclosures, others are taking a more cautious and research-based approached to their predictions. The fact remains that the trends do not yet support a dramatic shift away from what has been experienced over the last several years. Housing starts are performing admirably if not excitingly, prices are still inching upward, supply remains low and consumers are optimistic. The U.S. economy is under scrutiny but certainly not deteriorating.

HomeDex report is from the North San Diego County Association of Realtors.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the following reviews from our website.

“Your service as my listing agent was superior! You always returned my phone calls quickly and I felt like I had fair representation from you throughout the negotiations and escrow period. Even though you were representing both myself as the seller and the buyers, I feel your service was unbiased toward either party and you were providing service above and beyond the normal call of duty to get the job done. I always choose you as my agent for my real estate needs and time after time your performance reminds me of why I always choose you.” -Don

“I am very grateful for your tremendous effort in the recent selling of my home in Alga Hills. From the moment I listed the house with you, my tenants and I were treated professionally and courteously. It was definitely your knowledge and expertise that enabled me to sell quickly with another agent and in the short time you had the listing before you procured your own buyer, I received much more attention and follow-up phone calls from you than I had received from the other agent the whole time I was listed with him.” -Greg

“Done, and I would like to thank you for all of the help you gave us in finding our home in Rancho Santa Fe. We really appreciated your professionalism and all the EXTRA things you did for us. We look forward to seeing you when we finally move into our lovely home. Thanks again for everything.” -Karen & Don

“The level of service you provided was very professional and your knowledge level was excellent. I enjoyed working with you two and appreciated the hand holding at times. You answered my questions thoroughly and represented me fairly.” -Linda

We would love to hear from you! Leave us a review here.

The Lawhead Team would like the share which features can help get your home off the market faster.

Not all homes are equal, and don’t sell equally either. So what features can make or break the sale? Here’s what recent data showed about how much of a difference the most popular features can make in selling a home.

Spanish-style homes are HOT HOT HOT 

• Making up only 1 percent of the studied for-sale listings, Spanish-style homes spend a median of only 47 days on the market which is 1/2 the national average.

It’s all about the view…but what view?

• Homes with a city skyline view sold the fastest at 83 days on the market.

THE RIGHT INTERIORS = A CLOSED DEAL

Stainless steel is still a must-have feature for buyers, helping homes sell an average of 15% faster than homes without stainless-steel appliances

LOCATION STILL RULES

• Good school districts still help make the sale with an average of 76 days on the market.
• Homes near major medical centers command the lowest prices, receive the fewest views, and stay on the market for the longest.

Source: Realtor.com

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 our latest listing in the desirable gated Sitella complex in 4-S Ranch.

This beautiful condo is located at 16911 Meadowlark Ridge Road 2, San Diego, CA and is listed at $458,000.

• Immaculately maintained end unit in Sitella complex in 4-S Ranch.
• Great panoramic views from the rear of the property.
• Tile floors in the entry, laminate flooring in the living room and dining room and brand new carpeting everywhere else.
• Central air and fireplace in the lving room.
• Fire sprinklers in the ceiling.
• Beautiful backyard with freshly poured patio and pretty landscaping.

Listing available on www.coldwellbankerhomes.com. Click here for more information.

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest “One Cool Thing” to let you know where the hottest markets in California real estate are happening. 

It’s Hot, Hot, Hot in California

Of the 20 hottest U.S. real estate markets identified in a new survey by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, more than half were in California:

1. San Francisco, CA
2. Dallas, TX
3. Denver, CO
4. Vallejo, CA
5. Santa Rosa, CA
6. San Jose, CA
7. San Diego, CA
8. Midland, TX
9. Sacramento, CA
10. Columbus, OH
11. Ann Arbor, MI
12. Santa Cruz, CA
13. Detroit, MI
14. Los Angeles, CA
15. Oxnard, CA
16. Stockton, CA
17. Yuba City, CA
18. Austin, TX
19. San Antonio, TX
20. Nashville, TN

These markets receive 1.8 to 3 times the number of views per listing compared to the national average. They are also seeing inventory move 29 to 48 days more quickly than the rest of the U.S.

Source: Realtor.com

The Lawhead Team would like to share this beautiful home just listed in Carlsbad.

This beautiful home in Carlsbad is a must see! It is located at 2818 Avenida Valera, Carlsbad, CA 92009.

Immaculate and upgraded Fairways Plan 1 single level home in move-in condition. Beautiful hardwood flooring. Slab granite countertops. Central air. Ceiling fans. Plantation shutters. Covered patio. Drought-efficient landscaping. Remodeled master bathroom. Custom interior paint. Very desirable gated community adjacent to the Omni La Costa Resort’s golf course with 7 interior parks, private streets and two private walking trails accessed only from this neighborhood.

Take the virtual tour here: http://www.propertypanorama.com/instaview/snd/150047589

For Immediate Release

San Diego, CA

The Lawhead Team Awarded International Sterling Society

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage recently recognized The Lawhead Team by awarding them with the prestigious designation of International Sterling Society for their outstanding sales performance for the year 2014.

This achievement places them in the Top 4% of all of the Coldwell Banker agents in the world. Their demonstrated skills, performance, professionalism and their high level of client service have distinguished Marilyn and Creighton as recognized leaders and specialists in the residential real estate markets they serve.

The Lawhead Team came across this article from NBC San Diego stating that San Diego is the 5^th priciest housing market in the nation! Check out the article:

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2014 • Updated at 4:05 PM PDT

San Diego Has 5th Priciest Housing Market in Nation

In case you needed a reminder: The sunshine tax is very real.

San Diego was ranked as having the fifth priciest housing market in America, according to the National Association of Realtor’s latest report.

Of the top five most expensive housing markets, four are in California.

“It’s not a surprise because California has remained at the epicenter of the residential real estate boom this year, with prices now well above the levels of the last few years,” Jamie Duran, president of the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage San Diego, Orange County and Desert Region, said in a news release.

The report looks at the median single-family price for homes in cities in the United States over the second quarter of 2014. San Diego’s median price was $504,200, the report showed.

The most expensive housing market is San Jose, where the median home price was $899,500, followed by San Francisco ($769,600) and Anaheim-Santa Ana ($691,900).

Statewide, home prices were up 6.6 percent from June of last year, according to the California Association of Realtors.

The good news for buyers: Interest rates remain low and prices appear to be stabilizing, according to the news release.

Read entire article from NBC San Diego about San Diego‘s housing market: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Has-Fifth-Most-Pricey-Housing-Market-in-Nation-271921491.html