Welcome to the "Z" Team! Douglas and Bud Zeller

Home sales increased 2.5 percent in March in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home rose 20.8 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported 4/22/10.

“The end of the federal tax credit on April 30 will remove some urgency from the market, but is not likely to derail current market trends as favorable prices and low mortgage rates continue to attract buyers and investors,” said C.A.R. President Steve Goddard. “The March year-to-year median price gain of 20.8 percent was the largest in more than five years. With the number of homes for sale in the state expected to remain lean, gains in the statewide median price may well outpace the nation going forward.”

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 516,590 in March at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide. Statewide home resale activity increased 2.5 percent from the revised 504,200 sales pace recorded in March 2009. Sales in March 2010 decreased 2.5 percent compared with the previous month.

The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during March 2010 was $301,790, a 20.8 percent increase from the revised $249,790 median for March 2009, C.A.R. reported. The March 2010 median price increased 7.8 percent compared with February’s $279,840 median price.

“While the federal tax credit has helped drive sales, near record-high affordability resulting from current prices and low mortgage rates also has impacted the market,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “Four years ago, the median price to household income ratio was at a record high of 10 to one. It’s now near a historic low of four to one.”