FRESNO: Fat Tuesday, Skinny Inventory

Now is the time for homebuilders to open their stalled legacy projects. Beazer Homes recently closed out The Groves at Sunnyside Point, their neighborhood adjacent to KB Home’s Olive Lane new home community located in Sunnyside Fresno. New homebuilders will not have to compete as hard for new home buyers shopping the area.

HOME PRICES
According to the California Association of Realtors, Fresno County home prices increased 15.3%, but sales were down 22.2% from the previous year. Madera County saw prices increase 36.1%, but sales were down 24.4% from the previous year. However, sales are looking up with a 19.2% increase in sales from the previous month in Madera County.

December 2012 County Sales and Price Activity

Median Sold Price of Existing Single-Family Homes

# of Sales

County

12-Dec

12-Nov

11-Dec

MTM% Chg

YTY% Chg

MTM% Chg

YTY% Chg

Fresno

$157,620

$148,240

$136,740

6.3%

15.3%

-2.5%

-22.2%

Madera

$144,290

$113,330

$106,000

27.3%

36.1%

19.2%

-24.4%

Source: California Association of Realtors

UNSOLD INVENTORY & TIME ON MARKET
According to Land Advisors Organization research, unsold inventory in Fresno County decreased 7.3% from the previous year and Madera County decreased 47.4% from the previous year. The median time on market decreased 24.1% in Fresno County and increased 25.4% in Madera County from the previous year.

December 2012 County Unsold Inventory and Time on Market

Unsold Inventory Index

Median Time on Market

County

12-Dec

12-Nov

11-Dec

12-Dec

12-Nov

11-Dec

Fresno

3.8 Months

4.2 Months

4.1 Months

26.4 Days

26.3 Days

34.8 Days

Madera

2 Months

3.2 Months

3.8 Months

64.6 Days

27.9 Days

51.5 Days

Source: California Association of Realtors

FINISHED LOT INVENTORY
Home Buyer demand is escalating fast.  Quality resale inventory is sparse.  If you own 10 or more acres of land in the path of development, you should be at the City processing a subdivision map faster than Mardi Gras beads flying from a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.  If you are not familiar with the entitlement process please contact me so I can help get you started.

NEW DEVELOPMENT
Fresno developers plan medical campus at Millerton Lake. FULL STORY

Source: Mark Utman, Marketing Consultant, (559) 549-6326

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They’re Not Just Buying Cars (In San Bernardino Co.)

Chrysler Group, LLC posted increased sales of 34% in March, its biggest increase since 2008.  The private sector continued a 25-month job growth streak, adding 120,000 jobs.  Across the nation, foreclosures had the lowest quarterly total since the final quarter of 2007.

This frankly, is the kind of news that we’ve all been waiting… and hoping… and waiting, to hear.  But in our industry, home sales are all that matter.  So the question is: Do increased car sales, steady job growth and decreased foreclosures translate to the housing market?  We believe they do and want to highlight some of the recent activity in the land markets that “Team San Bernardino” covers.

  1. In Eastvale, Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM) has sold 35 homes since January 1st (yes… 35. It’s not a typo).
  2. In neighboring Mira Loma, Richmond American (NYSE: MDC) is averaging 4 sales per month through the start of the year.
  3. After opening just three weeks ago, Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH) has sold 5 homes in its Rancho Cucamonga project, Whispering Ranch.
  4. Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) is continuing to sell well in its Yucaipa and Upland projects, averaging approximately 4 sales per month in each project.

So Here’s the Trend…

Improved absorptions lead to decreased lot inventory.  Decreased lot inventory leads to dwindling pipelines.  And thus, dwindling pipelines lead to increased land acquisitions!

So stay steadfast brothers and sisters!!  We are nearing the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Source: Winn Galloway, Senior Marketing Consultant and Doug Jorritsma, Senior Marketing Consultant. You can reach them both at (949) 852-8288.

Lakers Game Anyone?

With all the negativity shared around the real estate industry these days, the California Division’s “Team SB” (known for its cheerful demeanor and rosy disposition) is pouring optimism from the half-full glass in this week’s Landed blog post:

  1. Despite volatile market conditions, single family lots are still trading to public and private builders in well-located sub-markets along the I-15 Corridor. Several properties zoned for residential use are currently in escrow in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga and Eastvale/Dairylands.
  2. New homes sales are slow throughout San Bernardino County, however, a few communities are selling quite well. For example, Beazer Homes’ (BZH), The Enclave at Crafton Hills, located in Yucaipa, has sold 9 homes in the last two months. Land Advisors originally sold the Crafton Hills lots in “finished” condition to Beazer in late 2010.
  3. Beaumont has been one of Richmond American Homes (MDC), strongest selling sub-markets this year. The public builder’s two actively selling communities are Kensington at Tournament Hills (from low $200s) and Woodhaven (from the upper $100s).
  4. If there is in fact an NBA season (please God!), don’t miss the Lakers game at Citizens Business Bank Arena (next to Team SB’s multi-family listing: Piemonte at Ontario Center) on October 12th.

Team SB covers residential land activity in San Bernardino and Northwest Riverside Counties. For more information on this sub-market (or more cheery market insight), please contact Doug Jorritsma, Senior Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 x13 and Winn Galloway, Marketing Consultant (949) 852-8288 x27.