Jan. 2005 San Diego Area Real Estate News

The San Diego County real estate market had another spectacular year in 2004.
Although the number of home sales were off 3.2% from the
record setting year before, prices increased at their fastest pace in years.

The median home price rose 28.3% to $535,000 and the
average home price gained 26.7% to $653,102, both record highs.

The number of Condo sales were also down, falling 0.7%,
while prices soared with the median price gaining 27.1% to $356,000
and the average price rising 27.6%.

The Year Ends with a Bang!

The San Diego County real estate market ended the year on a high note
with the number of sales up 2% from November and the median price
gaining 3.7% to $560,000, setting a new record.
The median home price was up 23.3% over last year.

The condo median price also set a new record, gaining 1.5% in Dec to end the year at $379,450.

The number of Home sales started off strong the first half of the year
giving us reason to expect a new record, but the last six months of the year
saw the number of sales lower each month than the year before.
It is surprising that sales were only off 3.3% for the entire year.

BUYERS:
The inventory has increased so it is easier to find the right home.
Multiple offers are still showing up on some new listings if they are
priced correctly, or in areas with a shortage of homes for sale.

Many buyers are sitting on the sideline, but that will change very soon.
February activity picks up significantly and March is full on to the races!
If the inventory drops much from our current level,
we will again have multiple offers and higher prices.

We are in the best buying position that we have been in for over 3 years.
We have very low interest rates, a larger inventory of homes and
some sellers that really need to sell. That equates to a buying opportunity.

Are you ready to take advantage of this limited window?
I expect this opportunity to last only till late January.
Call me to get started now at 760-436-0087.

Please see my site or call me or click for available homes at:
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/MLS_Search.htm

SELLERS:
The market has slowed and the incredible appreciation we have seen
over the past two years appears to be gone. If you price your home in
anticipation of 2-3% appreciation a month, it will be sitting there a long time.
We are about even between a buyers & a sellers market.

Where we go from here depends on inventory levels and interest rates.

Call me to discuss the best plan for your situation.
Let me show you the best way to prepare your home for sale.
Generally, the longer time you have to prepare,
the less it will cost and the higher the return.

A good marketing plan is very important to maximize your investment.
Call me for a free "Right Price Analysis" on your property.
Let me show you how to maximize your profit on the sale of your home.

Our Guarantees to you:
1) Satisfaction: If you are not satisfied with the job I am doing for you,
you may cancel the contract for any reason except to avoid paying a
rightful commission (any buyer that came during the listing period).
2) 100% Exposure Guarantee: We guarantee that we will advertise
your property within 24 hours of listing, and advertise it EVERY DAY
thereafter, until sold!

Here is a link to my "Jan. Real Estate Articles":
http://realtytimes.com/c/DennisSunshineSmith
AOL Users Click Here

This additional newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think
you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Housing Is The New Economy";
"Why Broker Advice Will Become More Valuable";
"U.S. Home Value Appreciation Rate Breaks Record";
"Using Your IRA For Real Estate Investing";
"Home Equity Loans: Money Under Your Nose?";

Plus much more advice and information.

DIGITAL CAMERA UNIVERSITY!
www.imaging-resource.com

Did you get a new digital camera as a holiday gift?
Do you have any questions about it or about digital photography?
Or are you just thinking about buying a new digital camera?
If so you should visit this great place with deep and useful content
that has been described as "the most comprehensive, informative,
and factually accurate digital camera information available anywhere."
There's very little about digital cameras that you can't find here.
You can check the latest digital camera, scanner and printer reviews.
Get independent and understandable test results and online shopping/price comparisons.
There's good information here for everyone from novices to professional photographers --
including tutorials and a very unique "Comparometer" that lets you see identical shots
taken from hundreds of different camera models and compare the quality of the shots instantly.

Lions Club International Fundraiser - Tsunami Relief
There are many great charities with varying percentages going to the needy.
With the Lions, 100% goes to the victims because ALL overhead is paid for out of investments.

Please see the following page for more information.
http://sandiegohomes4u.com/tsunami_relief.htm

To learn more about the Lions Club's activities in support of the vision and
hearing impaired, see our local site at www.Encinitas-Lions-Club.com or
the International site at www.LionsClubs.org
Or just call me to talk about Lions.
I am the president of the Encinitas Lions Club and we are looking for more community minded members.

BUY OR SELL A HOME WITH ME, USE OUR MOVING TRUCK FREE! for life!
If you have EVER bought or sold with us...you can still use it too!
Our Truck is also available for use by Non-Profit & Community Groups.
See a picture on the web site at www.SanDiegoHomes4u.com/home.htm
Some restrictions will apply. Please contact us for more information, or to reserve the truck's use.

Nationwide Realtor Referral Service
Please contact me today if you want to buy or sell any home, anywhere.
I have a great network of top Buyers or Sellers agents, Nationwide.

I can also help you with New Construction
The builder states that I must accompany you on your 1st visit to
the development and before you register online, or I can not help you.
There are many advantages to my assistance and it does not cost you anything.

Free Real Estate Reports
We have over 20 free reports on buying, selling and more at:
http://www.homessold4u.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/FreeReports/Default.aspx

Please, feel welcome to forward this information on to anyone who may be interested.

Thanks for reading,

Donna "Sunshine" Smith &
Dennis Smith, SRES, ABR, e-PRO, Realtor

Median Home Price Up 28.3% for the Year

The Year Ends with a Bang!