October 2019

There are some long-held beliefs about real estate that have proven resistant to change over the years

October 28, 2019Right on the cusp of another summer...and right on cue, the market is experiencing the same noticeable downshift that’s been a regular part of its seasonal cycle for the last six years. Sellers who’ve been a little tardy getting their homes ready for the market may be in for a surprise when they find this “shift” moving in a direction that’s different from the one they were expecting. There are some long-held beliefs about real estate that have proven resistant to change over the years,...

The reality of the summer market rarely lives up to the expectations most sellers have

October 22, 2019Continuing from last week...talking about the seasonal downshift in the market that accompanies the start of summer, despite a pervasive myth to the contrary. One that says it’s better to list a home in June, July and August. When the sun is shining, and the influx of families wanting to buy houses before the school year starts ramps up to fever pitch. Except that the reality of the summer market rarely lives up to the expectations most sellers have. Here’s why... There aren’t enough young...

Here we are…right on cue

October 15, 2019Here we are…right on cue. It’s the 6th day of summer and, not uncoincidentally, we’ve been talking about the seasonal downshift that often happens right about now, despite all the ad hoc wisdom that likes to insist that summer is the best time to sell a house. That’s when the weather is warm, the catfish are jumpin’ and the prices are high. But if you want to hear why that just isn’t the case anymore, read my recent columns that deconstruct the myth of an...

The myth of an always-bullish summer market

October 8, 2019Here we are…right on cue. It’s the 6th day of summer and, not uncoincidentally, we’ve been talking about the seasonal downshift that often happens right about now, despite all the ad hoc wisdom that likes to insist that summer is the best time to sell a house. That’s when the weather is warm, the catfish are jumpin’ and the prices are high. But if you want to hear why that just isn’t the case anymore, read my recent columns that deconstruct the myth of an...

Terry Ballantyne

- Terry Ballantyne

Harvest of a Lifetime

October 7, 2019It's harvest time. The light is golden, the cycle of the earth is coming to another close. The Harvest Moon of September has come and gone. There is a lovely peace in the fall, anticipation of the renewing aspect of winter. Things slow down, you turn inward to contemplate the lessons of the year, of your life, and how to apply them to 2020. We live currently with a backdrop of uncertainty and many feel these are the darkest of times, but I disagree. Any...

On one hand, the median price was significantly up, close to its all-time high

October 2, 2019Picking up the thread…taking a closer look at the state of the real estate market in Santa Cruz as we head into the summer months people traditionally regard as the “prime” selling season. Last week, we looked at 2019 sales data for the County through the end of May. (If you want to receive an expanded version and more detailed monthly stats in the future, just email me.) The results were decidedly mixed and seemed to portend a shift in the market over the coming...