Luxury Home Sales Trends

According to The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing formulas, the following trends have emerged:

Clatsop, OR. MLS: The average price for a residential luxury home in Clatsop County was: $ 490,000 for the time frame of: 9/25/08 through 9/25/09.  This figure is calculated by review of all closed sale for that time frame & represents the top 10% of sale for the market. Anything sold at: $ 500,000 and above would be considered an "upper tier" listing.  This number has adjusted significantly from the previous sales cycle of: 9/25/07 through 9/25/08 that reflected a average luxury home sales price of: $ 659,950. 

Evidence shows that the economy has had a huge impact on upper tier sales in this resort destination community where purchase of secondary homes drives the marketplace conditions. 

Marianne Pittard
RE/MAX River & Sea
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

Dare To Soar Award!

Regional Vice President of RE/MAX Pacific Northwest Region, Kevin Northrup recently announced top sales rankings for two RE/MAX brokers from Clatsop County.  Marianne Pittard and Bree Phillips, both of RE/MAX River and Sea, placed in the top ten in Oregon for sales volume in June of this year.  Pittard earned the number five spot, and Phillips placed ninth out of 1,300 RE/MAX sales associates in Oregon for that month.  "There are certainly many ways to measure success in our profession, but it all comes down to how many sales you close and families that you help," said Northrup.  "Although the current economy has greatly impacted the real estate industry, both Marianne & Bree are finding ways to be successful in any market.  They continue to demonstrate standards of professional excellence and integrity while building the RE/MAX brand."  RE/MAX River & Sea offices are located in both Astoria & Gearhart.

-article published in the October 2009 edition of the Coast River Business Journal

Real Estate Sales Activity For: Warrenton, OR. 97146

Amazingly enough, the first time home buyer is driving our market sales for the second year in a row.  On average, approximately 3/4 of all real estate sales are concentrated in the # 200k - $ 300,000 price brackets.  The sales are being driven by the first time home buyer tax incentives, the abundant amount of choices & the historically low price points.  I recently compiled sales data for the Warrenton, Oregon market place, where prices remain reasonable & new construction option are in abundance.  Following, please find a graph that outlines the sales year to date for fiscal 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR (National Association of Realtors) chief economist, said the housing market momentum has clearly turned for the better.  " The recovery is broad-based across many parts of the country.  Housing affordability  has been at record highs this year with the added stimulus of the first-time buyer tax credit," he said. 

Gearhart! Where The Mountains Reach The Sea & Your Vacation Lasts Forever!

Forbes magazine recently published an article on America's Most Stressful Cities, which was written by Sara Lynch.  Sara utlilized information from several federal agencies to compile her list of cities that have been impacted by everything from poor air quality to unemployment rates & free-falling home values.  While some might dispute her ranking of cities, I suggest a solution to those residing in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area which happened to rank # 11 and those who call Portland, Vancouver, Beaverton, OR-WA home and ranked # 14. 

Invest in a beach getaway on the beautiful North Oregon coast where living is more than just a day at the beach!  Our wonderful locale will provide you with much needed stress relief.  Our real estate values have adjusted, and inventory levels remain high, making this the perfect time to purchase a little slice of heaven.  What say you on a stress reduction plan that will benefit the whole family!

Check out my personal real estate website at: http://www.mariannepittard.com/ additional information.  for

Gearhart Beach Floats & More!

More than just a day at the beach.....I'm excited to spread the word on a very exciting event that will be happening in Gearhart on October 10th., 2009.  Geahart will be holding a treasure hunt for glass floats & more!  Well recognized local glass artist, John Cook will be creating the beautiful colored treasures, which will include hand blown glass floats & starfish.  A treasure map of the hunt site will be available at 8:00 am at the Gearhart Grocery store. Hunters will located the secret symbol on the beach & redeem it for glass treasures at: John Cook Studios. 

For additional information & to register stop by the Gearhart Grocery store at: 599 Pacific Way (503) 738-7312 or visit John Cook Studios at: 3427 Hwy. 101-N. (503) 738-512.  Updated information will be available at: http://www.johncookstudios.com/

Enjoy this Indian Summer weather!

Marianne