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Sales fell in San Luis Obispo County and Rose in Santa Barbara County

Arroyo Grande, CA – September 20, 2015— Home sales and prices in California’s Central Coast Region settled down in August following record growth earlier in the season.  Sales and prices were stronger in Santa Barbara County than in San Luis Obispo County, where sales in July set a five-year record.

Both home sales and prices ended the summer significantly higher than they were a year ago. Closed sales in the two-county Central Coast Region ended the summer 7.2 percent above last year and total dollar sold volume, at more than $290,495, 887urpassed 2015 by 18.4 percent.  The region’s median price reached $448,000 in August, 2.5 percent off July’s record price level, but was 10.6 percent higher than in August 2015. Homes took slightly longer to sell in the region, settling in a median of 80 days in August compared to 78 days in June.

“Home sales and prices in the Central Coast are consolidating the gains achieved earlier in the year.  As the market settles down, sellers can list with increased confidence that they will be able to realize significant gains above a year ago.  Stable inventories are moderating price increases and creating better market conditions for buyers,” said Amy Gallagher, corporate broker of record for CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

 August Home Sales, San Luis Obispo (blue) and Santa Barbara (red) Counties

San Luis Obispo County

August home sales in San Luis Obispo County fell 6.7 percent from July and ended the month only 1.4 percent above sales a year ago.  The county’s median sold price also fell 5.9 percent during the month, ending at $496,500, which is 5.1 percent above the median price in August 2015.  Homes are selling in a median of 78 days, the same time on market as July.

Sales fell 22.5 percent in the city of San Luis Obispo during the August, ending the month even with levels of a year ago.  The median sold price fell to $535,000, a drop of 7.8 percent from July but 2.9 percent above the median for August 2015.

Local market data and listings for San Luis Obispo County communities are available at  Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Oceano, Paso de Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Ynez, Shandon, and Templeton.

August Home Prices, San Luis Obispo (blue) and Santa Barbara (red) Counties

Santa Barbara County

In August, sales in Santa Barbara County rose 7.4 percent from July and ended August 19.4 percent higher than they a year ago.  The median sold price reached $367,000, just $1,000 below the five-year record set in May.  Prices were 2.8 percent higher than July and 20 percent higher than August 2015.  Homes sold 15.3 percent slower in August, taking a median of 83 days to settle.  Strong demand depleted listings as homes for sale fell 13.2 percent from last year.

Santa Maria saw sales rise 9.5 percent in August and 56 percent above a year ago, for the best sales month since August 2012.  Median sold price reached $349,000, slightly less than last month but 13.9 percent over 2015. Homes sold in 80 days.

Local market data and listings for Santa Barbara County communities are available at  Ballard, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and Solvang.

About Century 21 Hometown Realty

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast. Since 1947, it has supported the needs of home buyers and home sellers throughout California’s Central Coast region with 19 branch locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Our offices cover the California Coast from Paso Robles in the north to Camarillo to the south.

We offer specialty services including Luxury Real Estate, Agricultural and Ranch Real Estate, Vineyards, Ocean Front Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and Residential Real Estate.  Our agents have a keen focus on these areas and multilingual and generational expertise. Visit our website at C21Home.com  to see our California listings and our office locations.

Arroyo Grande, CA – August 15, 2016— Home sales and prices slowed in California’s Central Coastal Region in July as markets recovered from four straight months of  record growth. However, sales and prices in the Ventura region continued to rise, reaching peak levels and exceeding year-over-year levels by double-digit margins for the second month in a row.

Closed sales in the two-county Central Coastal Region fell 7.4 percent from June and 5.3 percent from July 2015 as the market adjusted to price increases.  Prices ended the month 13.5 percent higher than they were a year ago and 1.5 percent higher than in June.

The region’s median price reached $459,500, a five-year high.  Homes took slightly longer to sell, settling in a median of 78 days in July compared to 73 days in June.

“Home sales in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties slowed down in June as the market to absorb four months of rising prices.  Sellers are continuing to respond to price levels that are significantly higher than they were a year ago at this time.  Inventories are higher than they have been since last October.  With interest rates still at historic lows, conditions in the Coastal Counties are better for buyers than they have been all season,” said Amy Gallagher, corporate broker of record for CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

Sales in the five-county Ventura region rose 10.5 percent over July 2015 and 4.8 percent over June to reach a new five-year high.  Median prices also reached a new five-year peak of a $479,000, 1.7 percent over the median price in June and 12.7 percent above prices in July 2015.  Homes spent only 64 days on market, settling 4.5 percent faster than a year ago.

“In Ventura County, strong demand is still driving prices  and sales to new peak levels.  Inventories in the region are now nearly 20 percent higher than they were at this time last year, which may help to cool the market in the final weeks of summer,”she said.

San Luis Obispo County

July sales in San Luis Obispo County fell 4 percent from June and 9.1 percent from levels of a year ago.  However, at $527,500 the median price in the county still ended the month 14.7 percent higher than a year ago.  Homes are selling faster than they were in June, settling in 78 days.  Total listings in the county fell 2.7 percent from a year ago.

In San Luis Obispo city, sales rose 16.4 percent over last year but were down 14.5 percent from June, ending five straight months of sales increases.  The median sale price fell to $604,626, a drop of 1.7 percent from July 2015 but 5.1 percent above June’s median price.

Santa Maria saw sales fall 4 percent from a year ago but increased 5.2 percent from June.  Median price reached $351,000, an 8 percent increase over 2015 and 4.2 percent over June.  Homes sold in 73 days.

Local market data and listings for San Luis Obispo County communities are available at  Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Oceano, Paso de Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Ynez, Shandon, and Templeton.

Santa Barbara County

In July, sales in Santa Barbara County fell 3.6 percent from June, and 7.8 percent from July 2015.  Prices remained 6.5 percent above levels July 2015 and 0.8 percent above June. Homes sold 7.7 percent faster in July than June, settling in 72 days.

Local market data and listings for Santa Barbara County communities are available at  Ballard, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and Solvang.

July Home Sales, San Luis Obispo (red) and Santa Barbara (blue) Counties  

Ventura County

Ventura County prices and sales both rose for the third straight month in July, reaching new five-year peaks.  Sales rose 10.5 percent over levels of a year ago and 4.8 percent over June.  The county’s median price reached $479,000, up 12.7 percent from 2015 and 0.6 percent from June.  Properties sold at a record pace, spending 64 days on market, a decline of 4.5 percent from 2015 and 1.6 percent from June.

Ventura city prices reached a new five-year peak in June, reaching a median of $550,000, up 15.8 percent from 2015 and 5.3 percent from June.  Sales also rose o.9 percent over July 2015 and 20.7 percent over June.

Local market data and listings in Ventura County communities are available at:  Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Nipomo, Oak View, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty accessed data from the Central Coast Regional Multiple Listing Service and the Ventura County Regional Data Share to prepare its February market analysis

Ventura County Home Sales, July 2011 to June 2016

About Century 21 Hometown Realty

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast. Since 1947, it has supported the needs of home buyers and home sellers throughout California’s Central Coast region with 19 branch locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Our offices cover the California Coast from Paso Robles in the north to Camarillo to the south.

We offer specialty services including Luxury Real Estate, Agricultural and Ranch Real Estate, Vineyards, Ocean Front Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and Residential Real Estate.  Our agents have a keen focus on these areas and multilingual and generational expertise. Visit our website at C21Home.com  to see our California listings and our office locations.

Sales Rise Over Four Straight Months

 Arroyo Grande, CA – July 14, 2015— June home sales and prices reached record levels in California’s Ventura and Central Coastal Regions as demand continued to respond to low interest rates and fresh inventories of homes for sale.  Through the first half of 2016, sales in both regions exceed 2015 levels by double-digit margins.

Homes throughout both regions continue to sell at near-record rates of eight to ten weeks, and inventories of homes for sale are keeping pace as sellers respond to ideal market conditions.

Home sales in the two-county Central Coastal Region rose 13.1 percent above June 2015 and 11.1 percent over sales in May. The region’s median sales price reached $453,000 for the first time in more than five years, 6.6 percent higher than sales a year ago at this time.  Homes for sale spent a median of only 73 days on market, slightly slower than May.

Prices and sales in the four-county Ventura Region set a new five-year high for the fourth month in a row. Median prices in the region soared 12.7 percent over June 2015 and sales increased 10.5 percent.  Home sold 4.5 percent faster in June than May, settling in just and median of just 64 days.

“Regional real estate markets made history during the first half of the year, setting five-year records for both sales and prices.  Record low interest rates and healthy supplies of new homes for sale are creating extraordinary opportunities for buyers.  Houses are selling at record prices in record time, creating the best conditions sellers have seen in years,” said Amy Gallagher, corporate broker of record for CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

 San Luis Obispo County

Sales in San Luis Obispo County rose 14.5 percent over June 2015 and 22.5 percent above May, setting a new five-year record for the county.  The June median price was 2.3 percent on an annual basis and fell 2.7 percent from May’s record high.  Sales settled in 72 days, a 2.7 percent faster than a year ago and inventories reached a seasonal high.

In San Luis Obispo city, sales set a new five-year record, increasing every month since January.  However, homes sold at a slower pace, settling in 72 days compared to 58 in May.  The median sales price dropped 3.2 percent from a year ago, to $552,000.

Local market data and listings for San Luis Obispo County communities are available at  Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Oceano, Paso de Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Ynez, Shandon, and Templeton.

 Santa Barbara County

In June, both sales and prices dipped from May levels but remained significantly higher than a year ago.  Sales were 37.3 percent above June 2015 and the county’s median price, $354,000, was 8.9 percent above 2015.  Homes in Santa Barabara County sold at about the same pace as those in San Luis Obispo County, a median of 78 days on market.

Local market data and listings for Santa Barbara County communities are available at  Ballard, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and Solvang.

  June Home Prices, San Luis Obispo (red) and Santa Barbara (blue) Counties

 Ventura County

Ventura County prices rose to their highest median level in five years, $559,000 and homes sold faster in the county than they have since June 2014, a median of 63 days.  Prices were 8.1 percent higher than they were a year ago and 4.3 percent higher than May. Sales fell 5.9 percent below levels of a year ago but rose 7.6 percent from May

Sales in Thousand Oaks rose 45.2 percent over May and 7 percent above 2015.  The median price reached $702,500, 9.8 percent above June 2015 and 3.4 percent above sales in May.  Homes are moving fast, spending a median of only 58 days to settle.

entura city prices reached a new peak in June, reaching a median of $550,000, up 15.8 percent from 2015 and 5.3 percent from May.  Sales also rose 20.7 percent over May and 0.9 percent over June 2015.

Local market data and listings in Ventura County communities are available at:  Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Nipomo, Oak View, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

 CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty accessed data from the Central Coast Regional Multiple Listing Service and the Ventura County Regional Data Share to prepare its February market analysis.

Ventura County Home Prices, July 2011 to June 201

About Century 21 Hometown Realty

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast. Since 1947, it has supported the needs of home buyers and home sellers throughout California’s Central Coast region with 19 branch locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Our offices cover the California Coast from Paso Robles in the north to Camarillo to the south.

We offer specialty services including Luxury Real Estate, Agricultural and Ranch Real Estate, Vineyards, Ocean Front Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and Residential Real Estate.  Our agents have a keen focus on these areas and multilingual and generational expertise. Visit our website at C21Home.com  to see our California listings and our office locations.

Strong Demand Sets Records for Prices and Days on Market in San Luis Obispo County and Four-county Ventura Region

 Arroyo Grande, CA – May 26, 2015—April home sales in Calfornia’s Central Coast and Ventura regions rose briskly for the second consecutive month, reaching new heights for the year.  Strong demand set five-year price records in San Luis Obispo County and the Ventura Region, and homes sold faster than they have in years in several Coastal Counties and the entire Ventura Region, according to the latest market analysis from CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

In the Central Coastal Region, Sales in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties rose 5.9 percent over March and were 8.6 percent higher than in April 2015.  Median home prices rose 2 percent over March and were 4.9 percent higher than in April 2015.  At 72 days, the median time to settle in the region was the fastest since last April.  Strong sales and rising prices motivated sellers to list their homes, and inventories of homes for sale finished the month at the highest levels in six months.

In April, sales in the four-county Ventura Region rose 5.9 percent over March and 6.3 percent over sales in April 2015.  The median sale price for homes in the region set a 5-year record, at $469,000, up 3.3 percent from March and 13.3 percent above the median sale price in April 2015.  At a median of 63 days to settle, homes in the region sold at a slightly slower pace that in March.

“Strong demand this spring is driving up sales at a healthy pace and setting price records in some markets.  Properties throughout the region are selling in six weeks or less, motivating sellers to list their homes.  Healthy inventories throughout the Central Coast and Ventura regions provide buyers a wide choice in the months to come,” said Amy Gallagher, corporate broker of record for CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

In April, CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty closed on 153 homes worth $64,709,500, bringing its total year-to-date sales to 429 homes worth $174,930,039.  The firm’s top selling agents in April were Eddie Stanfield, Tom McNeill, Tim Riley, Christa Lowry, Kelli Marrufo, Billie Jean Chadwick, Louise Dickenson, Michael Casaceli, Byron Grant and April Hugh.

San Luis Obispo County

In San Luis Obispo County, sales were on fire in April.  Some 362 homes sold during April, 7.7 percent more than in March levels and 23.7 percent above total sales in April 2015.   Though median prices rose only 0.4 percent during the month, they were 7.1 percent higher than a year ago and at $497,000, the county’s median price set a five-year record.  Homes sold at a faster pace in the county than they have since October 2013, settling in a median time of only 71 days, 2.7 percent faster than March.  Despite strong sales, active listings in the county increased 7 percent during April, the largest inventory level since last April, providing a wide choice for home buyers in May.

In San Luis Obispo city, prices hit their highest level since last October, reaching a median of $589,000. Sales were up 22.2 percent over March but trailed the record sales recorded last spring by 8.3 percent.  Inventories of homes for sale closed the month at the highest level since January 2013.

Local market data and listings for San Luis Obispo County communities are available at  Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Oceano, Paso de Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Ynez, Shandon, and Templeton.

 Total Monthly Home Sales  

San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties

May 2015 through April 2016

San Luis Obispo is blue; Santa Barbara is red.

Santa Barbara County

Sales in Santa Barbara County also rose on a year over year basis, but at a slower pace than Sab Luis Obispo County.  Sales were just 2.3 percent higher than they were a year ago but they fell 12.6 percent from March levels. At $349,900, the county’s median price was 9.7 percent over 2015 levels and 1.4 percent higher than March prices.  Homes in Santa Barbara County settled in a median period of only 73 days, selling 9.9 percent faster than in March. Active listings of homes for sale in the county were 5 percent higher than they were in 2015 and 1.6 percent above March inventories.

Local market data and listings for Santa Barbara County communities are available at  Ballard, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and Solvang.

Ventura County

Sales in Ventura County fell 1.8 percent from March and 17.5 percent from April 2015.  However, at $530,000, the median sold price set a five-year record. Prices were up 8.4 percent over April 2015 and 5 percent over March.  Homes sold 1.5 percent faster than in March, settling in 67 days on market.  The county ended the month with the largest inventories of home for sale since last August.

Total Monthly Home Sales

Four-county Ventura Region

May 2015 through April 2016

In Ventura city, sales were down 12.5 percent from a year ago and 2 percent from March.  However, sold prices rose 3.3 percent over a year ago, reaching a median price of $470,000.  Homes settled in 82 days, 9.9 percent faster than a year ago and 8.9 percent faster than in March.

Local market data and listings in Ventura County communities are available at:  Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Nipomo, Oak View, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

About Century 21 Hometown Realty

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast. Since 1947, it has supported the needs of home buyers and home sellers throughout California’s Central Coast region with 19 branch locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Our offices cover the California Coast from Paso Robles in the north to Camarillo to the south.

We offer specialty services including Luxury Real Estate, Agricultural and Ranch Real Estate, Vineyards, Ocean Front Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and Residential Real Estate.  Our agents have a keen focus on these areas and multilingual and generational expertise. Visit our website at C21Home.com  to see our California listings and our office locations.

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Central Coast Regional Home Sales Rose in March
New Inventories Promise Greater Choice to Home Buyers

Arroyo Grande, CA – April 15, 2015—The spring home buying season in California’s Central Coast and Ventura Regions kicked off with a surge of home sales and rising prices in March that exceed last year’s levels. A wave of new listings of homes for sale throughout the region promises that sales will remain strong through the spring and summer months and provide greater choice for buyers, according to the latest market analysis from CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

In the Central Costal counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, closed sales were 5.5 percent higher than they were a year ago and annualized prices were 3.3 percent higher. Homes sold nearly 10 percent faster in March than in March 2015, and active listings of homes for sale were 5 percent higher than they were in 2015.

In March, the four-county Ventura Region posted an 11.7 percent sales increase over a year ago. The median sales price for the region rose 12.1 percent over March 2105 and reached a new five-year high at $454,000, With an influx of 27,127 new listings in March, supplies of active listings are 22.8 percent higher than a year ago. Homes in the region are selling in 26 days, the shortest time on market in more than five years.

“We see very strong demand from buyers throughout Central Coast and inventories are keeping pace. In San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, listings are more than 5 percent higher than a year ago. The Ventura region is on fire, setting records for prices and time on market. All signs point to 2016 being an extraordinary year for home sales,” said Amy Gallagher, corporate broker of record for CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty.

San Luis Obispo County
The median price for homes sold in San Luis Obispo County reached a five-year high of $495,000, up 6.6 percent from March 2015.  At $539,000, the median price for new listings in March also reached a new five-year high for the county, 7.8 percent higher than a year ago. Homes in the county sold faster as the spring buying season got underway.

Sellers are responding to higher prices. New listings increased 25 percent in March, and total active listings are 2.7 percent higher than they were a year ago. The median price for new listings is $539,000, 3.9 percent greater than in February.

In San Luis Obispo city, sales were down 13.5 percent from a year ago but rose 12.5 percent from February. The median sales price dropped 4.4 percent from a year ago, to $569,000.

In Santa Maria, sales shot up 22,6 percent over last year and 65 percent over February. Prices rose 11.7 percent over last year. At 217 homes, active listings are flat but lead 2015’s levels by 1.9 percent. Santa Maria received about 15 percent fewer new listings in March than it did a year ago.

Local market data and listings for San Luis Obispo County communities are available at Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Oceano, Paso de Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Ynez, Shandon, and Templeton.

Santa Barbara County
Both March sales and sold dollar volume rose 24 percent over last year in Santa Barbara County. Sales were up 97 percent over March. The median sold price rose 8.9 percent over the previous year as the county’s median price reached $345,000.

Santa Barbara County is experiencing inventories smaller than last year.  Days on market were up 21 percent from last year to 81 days. Active listings trail last year’s level by 10 percent and new listings are down 8.1 percent from a year ago.

Local market data and listings for Santa Barbara County communities are available at Ballard, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and Solvang.

Total Monthly Home Sales April 2015 to March 2016
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties

San Luis Obispo is red; Santa Barbara is blue.

Ventura County
Sales rose 51.5 percent in Ventura County over February but fell 5.6 percent below sales in March 2015. The median sold price in the county rose to $505,000, an increase of 9.3 percent from February and equal the median sales price a year ago. Homes are selling faster in Ventura County even though total listings increased slightly, by .7 percent. Home sales contracts are closing in 46 days, down 6.1 percent from a year ago. Median days to settles takes 66 days, the same as a year ago.

Ventura County Home Sales,
April 2015 to March 2016

Sales bounced back to December levels with the onset of spring.

Sales in Ventura City fell 8,1 percent from a year ago but were up 41.7 percent over February. Prices rose 15.1 percent over 2015 by fell 3.9 pedcn5 from March. Homes are selling faster in Ventura than last year at this time, 44 days until a contract is signed and 66 days to settle.

Local market data and listings in Ventura County communities are available at: Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Nipomo, Oak View, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty accessed data from the Central Coast Regional Multiple Listing Service and the Ventura County Regional Data Share to prepare its February market analysis.

About Century 21 Hometown Realty
CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty is the leading real estate firm on the central coast. Since 1947, it has supported the needs of home buyers and home sellers throughout California’s Central Coast region with 19 branch locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Our offices cover the California Coast from Paso Robles in the north to Camarillo to the south.

We offer specialty services including Luxury Real Estate, Agricultural and Ranch Real Estate, Vineyards, Ocean Front Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and Residential Real Estate. Our agents have a keen focus on these areas and multilingual and generational expertise. Visit our website at C21Home.com to see our California listings and our office locations.