Your move.

A great chess player can glance at the board and quickly assess which side is winning. She can also foresee best next moves. It’s the same with real estate. Staying attuned to the metrics of local market conditions can guide you in plotting strategy to maximize your profits and achieve your goals. Let's review two... TWO METRICS TO KNOW

1.   MSI – Months Supply of Inventory

This number reveals the status of the market and indicates whether it favors buyers or sellers. How many months would it take to sell all of the homes currently available if no more listings came onto the market? Balanced market = 5-6 months Buyer’s market = Over 6 months Seller’s market = Less than 5 months   In Marin, MSI is presently below 1 month in every town (but for the priciest enclaves of Belvedere, Ross and Stinson Beach), indicating a raging seller’s market with multiple offers received on almost every property listed for sale. As such, a seller would want to take advantage of this golden opportunity by listing their property now to obtain top dollar with limited concessions to the buyer. A buyer, knowing he/she will likely be engaged in a bidding war with other buyers, would search for properties priced below budget to provide room to compete without overextending him- or herself. 

2.   SP / LP – List-to-Sell Ratio

Calculated by dividing sales price by final list price, this number reveals how negotiations concluded. When calculated as an average for a specific area we can glean which direction the market is moving. A ratio above 100% indicates a seller's market, i.e., a competitive multiple offer environment with strong buyer demand where sellers hold the upper hand with less negotiating over price. e.g., SP-$1.2m/LP-$1.0m = 120% Conversely, a number below 100% reveals a buyer’s market, i.e., excessive inventory giving buyers leverage to bid sellers down from their asking price: e.g., SP-$950K/LP-$1.0m = 95% Presently, the SP/LP ratio in Marin exceeds 100% in every city (climbing as high as 112%); but for Belvedere, Ross and Stinson Beach where it hovers at 96%. (Be advised: Closing cost concessions made during escrow are not reflected in the SP/LP ratio.)

BOTTOM LINE: In this environment, any property in Marin properly prepared for the market can expect to sell quickly and for a high price.

Please reach out to me when you are even thinking about moving, so that I may prepare you, and your property, for an advantageous outcome. ⚜️

1 Stay in-the-know by reviewing these metrics monthly: Marin Market Statistics* San Francisco Market Statistics** *BAREIS MLS data **SFAR MLS data

2 RETURN OF THE OPEN HOUSE Effective immediately, guidelines have been amended to allow for open houses with more lenient protocols: No appointment necessary; Multiple groups allowed; Face masks required; Attendees must sign-in.

3 GET OUTSIDE!

Carve out time for YOU and get outside! 🌻 Studies have proven that time in nature: Decreases anxiety, negative thinking; Lowers levels of depression and stress; Improves mental and physical well-being more so than indoor activity; Is associated with better cognitive development in children  POPULAR MARIN HIKES Your body, mind and soul will thank you.

CHECK IT OUT: Terwilliger's WildCare in San Rafael to view rescued wildlife, including falcons, living in enclosures that mimic their natural environment.

4 DID YOU KNOW? The fastest bird on earth is the Peregrine Falcon. When it dives for its prey, it "falls" out of the sky at speeds that no other bird nor animal can achieve: More than 200 mph!

I am here to help you navigate all things real estate. Whether you are selling your home, interested in a complex investment exchange, a first-time home purchase or charting a move across country, I will ensure your experience is an exceptional one. Through our vast Global Relocation Network, I can connect you with an excellent agent anywhere in the world. Please reach out whenever I may be of service to you, a family member or friend.

Isabelle V. Laub Cell: 415.533.2332 isabelle.laub@cbnorcal.com isabellelaub.com VIP Client Newsletter ‌ ‌ ‌

Your trusted Real Estate Professional specializing in Marin and San Francisco

When purchasing real estate, be sure to work with an Agent to represent and protect your interests during one of the largest purchases you may ever make. Commission is paid by the Seller, inherently structured and agreed to in the listing contract set forth between the Seller and the Seller's representative, the listing agent.