As the Central Valley land and homebuilding market continues to slog through foreclosures, short sales, and tepid new home sales, many potential homebuyers are waiting out the current real estate cycle until real signs of economic growth emerge.  

• According to Affiliated Appraisers, the median sale price of a single family home in Kern County rose 0.8% to $132,000 from September to October this year, but decreased by 2.2% year over year.
• The number of foreclosures dropped 9.9% from September to October of this year, and is down 36.1% since October 2010.
• October saw 522 closed homes sales (new and resale) throughout the County, down 11.4% for the month and off 7.1% for the year.
• Properties owned by lenders account for 40.5% of all sales compared with a national average of 30.1%.

Due to the lack of confidence in the economy and homebuilding market, many would-be homebuyers are now turning to renting instead of buying.  According to RealFacts, many potential buyers with good credit who can afford to purchase a home now are electing to wait on the sidelines, and rent an apartment or townhome for a while instead.

Indicative of demand, average monthly rent in Kern County rose 2.8% in the third quarter 2011. The County had the 16^th highest rent of 24 metropolitan statistical areas in California.  Its 98% occupancy rate earned it the State’s No. 4 spot on occupancy.  Over the last 3 quarters, rent for two-bedroom townhomes in Kern County increased by 10.7% compared to the previous three quarters.

Kern County is following a pattern typical of inland communities and other tertiary markets… They tend to be the first to collapse and the last to recover.

Source: Jason Hepp, Senior Marketing Consultant, (661) 702-9080 x14