The red-hot North Bay real estate market has responded to the climbing interest rates and growing inflation by slowing sales. For rates to go from 3% to 6% is a shock to the market. The current market still favors Sellers, however.
In the North Bay year-over year property sales in May were down in Sonoma County by 22% (385 homes sold); Napa County 12.1% (105 homes sold); Marin County by 10.1% (178 homes sold). In Solano County sales rose 5.8% with 328 homes sold in May. This increase was not a surprise to CAR Chief Economist, Oscar Wei, who knows that Solano County is the most affordable county in the North Bay.
There is a definite shift in the market. Buyers are realizing that they don’t need to put in an offer on the first thing they see, and there is a decrease in multiple offers and homes selling for more than the asking price. It is note-worthy that the economists see this as a shift to a more balanced market rather than a crash like we witnessed in 2005 to 2012.
In May, 16% of homes in the three counties sold at reduced prices, and by late June that number jumped to 19%. There is a slowdown of both the low end and the high-end Buyers. People are still buying, just not at the frenzied rate they have been in recent years.
Different demographics have influenced the real estate market in recently, but that could be changing. With baby boomers becoming seniors who may be more reluctant to downsize because of higher interest rates, much of the market will belong to the millennials.
We know that there will always be a demand for housing in the North Bay. So, while things may not be as hectic as they have been for the past 3 years, we can relax a bit and welcome the more stable, balanced market that we are experiencing today.
Whether it be a Buyers’ or a Sellers’ market, Sun Pacific Mortgage is here to offer our privately funded loans to those borrowers who need a fast close or have been turned down for a conventional mortgage. Give us a call at 707-523-2099 or visit our website at www.sunpacificmortgage.com to see what we can do for you.
