Marian S Bennett

Half Moon Bay is subject of danorama’s panoramas

I was visiting one of my favorite Half Moon Bay Main Street shops, Abode, pictured above, and employee extraordinaire, Juliette, told me about a crazy creative local photographer who was taking one-of-a-kind images of local businesses.  Before long I was meeting with Dan Ambrosi over coffee to learn more about what he’s doing.  I was originally intrigued with his concept because I am always looking for fun ways to showcase Half Moon Bay’s community, and of course, homes, for sellers and to buyers.  When I learned that he was already photographing residences, I got even more excited.  Here is a Lake Tahoe living room .  Our Half Moon Bay Coastside has some spectacular residences.

Already a seasoned Entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley and residing in Half Moon Bay,  Dan’s combination of experience and skills in the fields of architecture, computer graphics, marketing and photography over 35 years propelled danoramas into a successful launch this year.

danorama images evoke Pride of Ownership!  Whether the picture is of someone’s home, business, or vehicle, “the owner’s response is usually one of awe” when seeing their labor of love in a danorama creation, Dan shares.  danoramas also showcase spectacular landscapes, of which Half Moon Bay has many!  The danorama below is Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.  Explore the website for Awesome Architecture, Splendid Shops, Dream Machines, Alluring Accommodations, and more!

 

Dan travels all over with his camera, so you may get him to visit your location.  This week he is in Half Moon Bay.  If you are a local business and want to showcase your storefront, Bed & Breakfast, or whatever makes you special, give him a call.  Check out local favorites It’s Italia, Abode, Nano’s Yogurt Shop, Cottage Industries, LaDiDa Café, Long Branch Saloon, and more.

Some time in the near future it would be fun to share these local favorites with the world – Oceano Hotel, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company outdoor patio, Sam’s Chowder House, Kevin Kobel’s Rogue Chef Farm-to-Table Kitchen, La Costanera, Amesport Landing Meadow, Moss Beach Distillery, Café Gibralter, Flying Fish Grill, Half Moon Bay Nursery, The Hasting House – just to name a few!

Hopefully we’ll see danorama’s panoramas at an upcoming Pumpkin Festival!

 

A Passionate Life – Margi Miller

Respectfully, I am letting my readers know of today’s passing of a very special Coldwell Banker colleague.  See update dated 1/10/2012 below.

Margi Miller was an amazing woman, Realtor, and spirit.  She was also a Mom and a loving Wife.  To have known and worked with her was a gift.  Two – of many – special gifts she gave to those who were fortunate enough to know her were her inspiration and fun-loving nature.  Our office mourns her loss; however, I know she would not want us to be sad.  She would want us to celebrate life, hers…and each of ours.

We met through a mutual friend in the early 1990′s, before I ever conceived of Real Estate as a career.  She had already been a seasoned real estate professional.  Margi had an inquisitive mind, a quick smile and a loving heart.  She will be missed but will always be in our hearts.

You may send cards for Margi’s real estate team, Miller-Derow-Kulda at Coldwell Banker, 248 Main Street, Suite 200, Half Moon Bay CA  94019.

Update Jan 10, 2012

A celebration of Margi’s life will be held at her and Bill’s home in Half Moon Bay on Sunday January 22, 2012 from 3:00-7:00 pm.  Flowers or an appetizer to share would be welcomed.  Her passing will be commemorated through song and a brief remembrance at sunset.  You are encouraged to share your memories of Margi by writing a note and taking it to the celebration or by sending it to Bill at P.O. Box 3258, Half Moon Bay, CA  94019.

Please contact the Coldwell Banker Half Moon Bay office for further information – 650-726-1100.

Comparing Dec 2010 & Dec 2011 Sales

This is for the entire Half Moon Bay Coastside (Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach and Montara) -

This quick comparison of sales activity shows that our market has not drastically changed from a year ago but we do see some changes.  Average Sales Prices have stayed fairly level; however we continue to see more sales in the lower half of our market ($300K to $700K price ranges), consistent with the higher price per square foot average, and low $1Million+ sales.  The other sign of continued softening is the difference between the last list price and the actual sold price.  This year that percentage has increased a little, showing that downward pressure continues.

That being said, sellers who take an aggressive approach by preparing their property, pricing appropriately, and market like crazy will sell.  Twenty one sellers succeeded in December alone this year and last.

A Year Ago  in December (2010):

• Twenty-one (21) sales
• Average sold price $665,788
• Sold price was 11.05% off the (last) List Price
• $322 per square foot
• Three (3) properties sold over $1 Million

The Market Today – December 2011:

• Twenty-one (21) sales
• Average Sold Price $672,095
• Sold price was 14.19% off (last) List Price
• $357 per square foot
• One (1) property sold for over $1 Million

Finally, a few tips for selling right now:

1. “As Is” properties generally sell for less than top dollar.
2. Staging works – if the other factors are in place.  Staging alone will not sell a house.
3. The market will shift during the listing period and sellers need to be on top of those shifts to stay competitive.

Happy New Year!

 

 

Half Moon Bay Homes Already Bursting with Tangerine Tango!

We are surrounded by the colors of red, green, gold and silver right now.  In a few short weeks, that will change.  I’ve seen a few articles and homes already that are incorporating the 2012 Color of the Year according to Pantone, Tangerine Tango PANTONE 17-1463.

If you are already thinking about remodeling or selling in Spring 2012, planning and listing appointments are happening now.

If you are remodeling, consider these excellent design resources that are Half Moon Bay based, but do work in other areas also.  The ones I know of and can recommend are InteriorStyle, Abode, and Eco6Design.  There may be others, I just haven’t used them yet to be able to recommend them.

If you are selling, our discerning stagers (if you decide to use a Stager) will know how to incorporate the latest color trends to create vision for buyers.  Some sellers live in beautiful interiors, which can translate to the smart staging called for to sell in today’s market.  Realtors work with different stagers based on the client, the property, and the budget, so we have plenty of resources.

Here is a touch of this color in the staging done by local firm Divine Designs for 801 1st Avenue, Half Moon Bay (Arleta Park/Wavecrest neighborhood), asking $599,000).

From one of my favorite web resources for ideas, here is Houzz’s Ideabook gallery of Tangerine Tango room ideas… Have Fun!

Market Morsel: HMB Coastside Q3 Summaries

Here’s a look at 3rd Quarter sales figures in 3 key years.

2001:  dot-com bust, 10 years ago;

2008:  in the downturn but just before the financial crisis; and

2011:  3 years post financial crisis.

I also broke down 3 popular neighborhoods to show you some “micro” market variables.  There are many more than 3 popular neighborhoods, I just picked 3!

Number of Sales:  Sales are significantly lower than 10 years ago.  From 93 sales in 2001 to 52 in 2011 supports some extensively reported trends -  financing continues to be a challenge,  some buyers & sellers are tentative about  the market, and some sellers are unwilling or unable to sell while holding an underwater loan.

Median Sold Prices:  About 23 percent higher in 2011 than in 2001.   More higher-end homes are selling than 10, or even 2 years ago.   In the 3rd Quarter, sales prices $1Million or more amounted to 7 in 2001, 9 in 2008, and 17 in 2011!  The high-end ocean view, golf course view, and designer beach homes account for a small portion of all the available local homes.  In my opinion, the high asset base we have in San Mateo County allows for some homeowners to hold on to their properties longer (meaning very limited distress sales in our market).

Average Sold Prices:  Similar to the Median Prices, the average prices show the market activity described above in a more pronounced way, 43% increase.  Of the 7 million-dollar homes in 2001 none sold for $2 Million or more.  In 2008, two homes sold between $2-3 Million.  In 2011, one sold in the $2-3 Million range and one sold in the $3-4 Million range (the highest sale in 2011 so far was a 20+ acre oceanfront property with multiple buildings in unincorporated Half Moon Bay.)

Both median and average sold prices in Half Moon Bay can fluctuate greatly due to the limited sales in our area.  The numbers are meant to give you general ranges of market activity.  You can see that Half Moon Bay and surrounding Coastside real estate is not not as expensive as mid-peninsula’s Palo Alto but more expensive than east-bay’s Fremont, as just two examples.

I also broke down Half Moon Bay and El Granada neighborhoods of Ocean Colony, Clipper Ridge, and Miramar.

Ocean Colony:  The Spyglass development inaugural sales were between 2003-05. In 2008,  Spyglass homeowners had there homes 3-4 years yet no sales had taken place in Q3-08.  The recent Average Sales Prices are helped by 2 Spyglass home sales in Q3-11.

Clipper Ridge:  Prices are now 11% lower than 10 years ago.  However, the price per square foot price has increased 23% since 2001.  Move-up buyers who have saved and maintained good credit are in a prime position to take advantage of local move-up opportunities from this great entry level neighborhood to something they’ve been waiting for.

Miramar:  Similar to Ocean Colony, the sales price numbers have gone up, but this is only part of the story.  Between 2001 and 2011, the average price per square foot has decreased, wreaking havoc with values in our neighborhoods.  For Miramar, in 2001 alone, price per square foot values ranged from $345 to $580.  In 2011, price per square foot was $275 to $332.

So when the larger, waterfront and/or ocean view homes sell these days, the seller may be getting what seems like a high price, but the buyers are getting more for their money than they did as far back as 10 years ago!  The prices of some  smaller homes are less now but you may be paying more per square foot.

If you want to read on, here is the Data:

Coastside Number of Sales in Q3:

• 2001 – 93
• 2008 – 40
• 2011 – 52

Median Sold Prices in Q3:

• 2001 – $538,000
• 2008 – $750,000
• 2011 – $906,163

Ocean Colony – Q3 Average Sold Prices:

• 2001 – $997,375
• 2008 – $1,192,500
• 2011 – $1,271,944

Clipper Ridge – Q3 Average Sold Prices:

• 2001 – $535,000
• 2008 – $645,222
• 2011 – $480,000

Miramar – Q3 Average Sold Prices:

• 2001 -$879,833
• 2008 -$909,675
• 2011 – $1,130,571