Our inventory is up 10% since the last report, but sale activities are down a bit too, especially in the Closed Escrow column.  May should be a strong month, but without inventory, it's hard to see strength in sales.   It is still very much a Seller's Market in the Santa Maria Valley, as it is in most of California, as...Read More!

Real estate sales activity was slower this past week, with listings down about 10% from the week before.  Naturally, we would prefer to see inventory rising rather than falling, as it is still difficult for buyers to compete with multiple offers on nearly every new listing!  But alas, life is not always fair, and we don't always get what we...Read More!

It is a pleasure to report that our inventory has just reached double digits for the first time in a very long time!   As of May 4, we have 100 Active residential listings (single family, condo & PUD) for sale, and that is a very positive sign, especially for buyers!  We have had such little selection --- the good ones...Read More!

Last week  inventory went up slightly, and there were 30 accepted contracts, with not very many so-called  "distress" sales.  Take a look at the "Average Days on Market" in the last column, though, for a good example of how fast homes are selling.  When priced right, a listing will get multiple offers, over asking price, and many  are all-cash.  The...Read More!

We added a few new listings last week.  Although not many, every week that we are on the positive side means a little more breathing room for buyers.  Inch by inch, yard by yard (pun intended), we absolutely must get more listings in the Santa Maria - Orcutt marketplace!  We are now relying on traditional sales, with a low inventory...Read More!

A few more new listings, and a few more sales than the week before --- we are really stable, but stuck in a sellers market that is hurting buyers.  Things will change, but that isn't easy to digest when you as a buyer, have written a dozen offers on various homes, none of which have been accepted because there always...Read More!

Another week of disappearing inventory and homes being snapped up practically the minute they are listed!  Our inventory has shrunk to only 65 residential listings, making it very tough for buyers.  Considering there were only a few "distressed property" sales, it is obvious that traditional sales are dominating the market here in the Santa Maria Valley.  Here are the stats...Read More!

What do you suppose is one of the most important features of a property to a home buyer?  If you guessed the neighborhood, you would be correct!  In a 2012 survey of new home buyers, the California Association of REALTORS® reports that nearly 50% of all respondents identified "neighborhood" as the number one factor in choosing a home.  Convenience to...Read More!

  While sources may differ about how positive the move in the residential housing market has been, they mostly concur that the worst is behind us and we are in recovery. Last year ended on a positive note, with C.A.R. reporting a 27 percent year-over-year increase in median price, and this year is not off to a bad start, with a...Read More!

I wish I could tell you this is an April Fool's joke, but unfortunately the truth is, we have extremely low inventory in the Santa Maria - Orcutt real estate market.  We are down 12% from last week in total housing units, which is an awful lot.  And I see a growing trend of agents from out of this market...Read More!