House Hunt: Open House Guide and Current Market Information

OPEN HOUSES THIS SUNDAY,  1 – 4 p.m.

$650,000. 439 Piper St, Healdsburg, 2Bdrm, 2Bth, North County Properties

$299,000. 214 Cedar Circle, Healdsburg, 2Bdrm, 2Bth

$545,000. 1532 Oakleaf, Healdsburg, 3Bdrm, 2Bth Healdsburg Sotheby’s

$399,000. 544 Westmont Ct, Healdsburg, 3Bdrm, 2.5 Bth, Full Spectrum

$399,000. 400 Sunnyvale Dr, Healdsburg, 3Bdrm, 2Bth Full Spectrum

MARKET UPDATE

I believe that history often repeats itself. If that is true, then many experts may be wrong in their opinion as to how long this market will take to recover.

In each and every of our economic downturns, the rebound was always quicker and stronger than anticipated. This could happen again and there are so many factors that will sway the outcome.

This past week, we saw the lowest that the Treasury bond market had ever been and with it a glimpse of record low interest rates. The mortgage bond market did not have as wild of a ride and is another indicator that housing is still a good investment.

 “In December of 2008 we had an environment just like today and interest rates did climb over the next six months at a strong rate," said Hunt Conrad of Prospect Mortgage. "We are probably looking at that same scenario right now.”

If interest rates do start to climb, it will create some sense of urgency in the housing market by all of the people at the sidelines. It will create more traffic and get more people to make those hard decisions.

We had a jobs report come out that we have been waiting months for that reflects the magic under 400,000 job claims level. We also just saw that consumer spending is up by half a point. Not great and the bulk of that is for increased fuel and food charges but it is up and we will take what we can get at this point

We have record low interest rates with other investments falling apart at best. The housing affordability barometer is also indicating this is a great time to believe in real estate as an investment. This is all good news and at a time when we need it most.

I always feel strange when I point all of this positive stuff out. Being a Realtor and a columnist about real estate creates a tightrope for me to walk on. With that, I want to thank all of my contributors that feed me my weekly information.

For the latest information on Sonoma County market trends please click here.