Category Archives: Homeownership

Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County July 2014

HomeDex logo housing statisticsThe real estate market in San Diego County continues to move toward equilibrium. Appreciation is almost at a sustainable level with detached homes in North County showing a year-over appreciation of almost seven percent and those outside of North County almost eight percent. This isn’t the four to five percent appreciation that has historically been supported by income and inflation, but is getting close. It is certainly much more sustainable than the 22 percent price increase we experienced between July 2013 and July 2012.

July prices and sales in San Diego County were lower than they were in June, but our 3.5 month inventory is still tight and homes are selling quickly. Inventory is growing, but it hasn’t reached the five to six months worth of supply which usually indicates a balanced market.

To read the full housing statistics reports, click on the links below.

Continue reading Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County July 2014

Remodeling Projects Are on the Rise

Remodeling projects are on the rise! Last year the home improvement market grew by over five percent and one in five new homeowners undertook a home improvement project. This year the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) expects home improvement spending to continue to increase by as much as 9.9 percent over last year. Metrostudy’s Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) also predicts growth in home improvement spending. This is good news for job seekers and the economy in general.

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Record Capital Improvements Now

paper and pen to record capital improvementsThere is a significant difference in how the money you spend on your home is treated for income tax purposes.  Repairs to maintain your home’s condition are not deductible unlike those made by rental property owners that can be deducted as an operating expense.

On the other hand, capital improvements to a home will increase the basis and affect the gain when you sell which may save taxes.

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Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County June 2014

HomeDex logo housing statisticsMay housing statistics seem to indicate we are continuing to move toward a more balanced market.

Even though we are seeing signs of stabilization with price increases slowing down, more homes coming on the market, and fewer homes selling compared to last year, we are also experiencing a market in which homes are selling very quickly. The active market time for listings in San Diego County is the shortest it has been in the last 10 years! The median number of days on market for single-family detached homes sold in North County decreased to 19 in May 2014. Homes are getting snatched up quickly.

To read the full housing statistics reports, please click on the links below.

FULL COUNTY REPORT     NORTH COUNTY REPORT

Continue reading Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County June 2014

Another Down Payment Source

IRA and cash

Most taxpayers know that they will pay a 10% penalty if they withdraw funds from their IRA before they turn 59.5 years old.  There is an exception for first-time home buyers that allows a penalty-free withdrawal of up to $10,000 per person if they haven’t owned a home in the previous two years.

This would allow a married couple who each have an IRA to withdraw a lifetime maximum of $10,000 each, penalty-free for a home purchase.

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San Diego County Fires

San Diego County Fires Photo KNSD NBC San Diego
Fire Photo KNSD/NBC San Diego

All fire evacuations have been lifted, weather conditions have changed and the fires are either contained or getting close to containment. Even though the San Diego County fires are no longer forefront in our minds, there are still many people who had to evacuate, or who lost homes, pets or other property due to the fires.

If you’d like to give to the victims of the fires or give to the firefighters, NBC San Diego has provided organizations accepting donations:

Win a $10,000 Furniture Makeover

Win a Furniture Makeover Sweepstakes

As part of their 2014 consumer advertising campaign, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is offering a $10,000 furniture makeover sweepstakes. You could win!

Courtesy of NBC, one random winner will receive a $10,000 check to purchase new furniture and other home furnishings.

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Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County April 2014

HomeDex logo housing statistics
March housing statistics were a bit of a mixed bag in San Diego County. Hopefully this indicates that we are moving toward a more balanced market.

The housing statistics report for San Diego County overall showed an increase in the median price for single-family detached homes from $470,000 in February 2014 to $492,000 in March 2014 and a year-over increase of 13.1 percent from March 2013.

In North San Diego County, the median price for detached homes slipped slightly dropping from $564,500 in February 2014 to $556,000 in March 2014, but still increasing almost 6 percent compared to March 2013. This annual appreciation of approximately 6 percent is much more sustainable than the many months of 20 to 25 percent year-over median price increases we had been experiencing.

The median price of single-family attached homes increased both countywide and in the North County area in March 2014 showing a year-over gain of 5.44 percent countywide and 1.83 percent in North County.

To read the full housing statistics reports, please click on the links below.

FULL COUNTY REPORT    NORTH COUNTY REPORT

Continue reading Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County April 2014

Is the Window Closing?

window closingWith interest rates lower than they’ve been in over 40 years, it may be difficult to think of a “window of opportunity” closing.  However, it isn’t difficult to understand that it may very probably cost more to live in a home in the near future due to rising interest rates and prices.

Zillow recently reported results from a nationwide study that home values are expected to appreciate by 4.5% through the end of the year.  Coupled with Freddie Mac’s projection that rates are going up, the cost of housing for buyers by the end of the year will be higher than it is now.

Continue reading Is the Window Closing?

Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County March 2014

homedex logo housing statistics
The housing statistics reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County are showing a slowing of the rate at which prices are increasing, but are still indicating tight inventory for buyers and a strong market overall.

While the median price for all North County home sales remained the same, countywide single-family detached homes saw a one percent decrease in their median prices from January 2014 to February 2014 and single-family attached homes dropped 1.64 percent. Year-over countywide detached homes had a median price increase of almost 16 percent, and attached homes saw an increase of 20 percent.

The number of sales and listings countywide increased from January 2014 to February 2014 as is typical this time of year, but the greater increase in sales is still keeping inventory tight as shown below.

To read the full housing statistics reports, please click on the links below.

FULL COUNTY REPORT    NORTH COUNTY REPORT

Continue reading Housing Statistics Reports for San Diego County and North San Diego County March 2014