Broad Improvement in Home Prices

Broad Improvement in Home Price According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices

New York, September 29, 2009 – Data through July 2009, released today by Standard & Poor’s for its S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show that, although still negative, the annual rate of decline of the 10-City and 20-City Composites improved compared to last month’s reading. This marks approximately six months of improved readings in these statistics, beginning in early 2009.

Click to Read the Entire Report.

New Price – Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg

Great Value here in Alexander Valley.This beautifully designed home’s centerpiece is its Great Room, looking out onto the pool, covered porches and patio. With three bedrooms and two and a half baths there is ample room to expand and update. This is the perfect wine country retreat, only minutes to Healdsburg and Calistoga. Imagine world class wineries and cycling in your own backyard.

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California Coastal Cleanup Day!

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday 19, September 2009
9:00am to 3:00pm

415-332-3871
www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc

With over 30 cleanup sites in Marin County to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone. See the Bay Model website for a cleanup site locations and safety tips. For more information contact Ranger & Marin County Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Keley Stock (415) 332-3871.

WSJ Article: Yes, the Housing Market Has Rarely Looked Better

By JAMES B. STEWART

Passing through the Fort Myers, Fla., airport a few weeks ago, I noticed people eagerly signing up for a free bus tour of foreclosed real estate—with all properties offering water views. During the ride to my hotel, the young driver volunteered that he had just bought his first house, paying $65,000 for a foreclosed property in nearby Cape Coral that last sold for over $250,000. He said he had never expected to be able to buy anything on a driver’s salary, let alone something that nice.

Last week, Standard & Poor’s reported that its S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price index of real-estate values increased this past quarter over the first quarter of 2009, the first quarter-on-quarter increase in three years. Its index of 20 major cities also rose for the three months ended June 30 over the three months ended May 31, with only hard-hit Detroit and Las Vegas experiencing declines. The week before that, the National Association of Realtors reported that sales volume of existing homes was up 7.2% in July from June.

Read the rest here.

SF Under Construction

From Socketsite:

”According to the San Francisco Planning Department and its 2004 and 2009 Housing Element Report, San Francisco’s big picture housing pipeline is as so:

· 156 projects with 6,510 housing units are currently under construction
· 168 projects representing 2,850 units have received a building permit
· 316 projects representing 4,480 units have applied for a building permit
· 92 projects representing 6,200 units have been approved by the Planning Department
· 130 projects representing 34,750 units have filed for Planning Department approval

From the Planning Department’s report:

Collectively, these 54,790 new units represent San Francisco’s pipeline projects….It is possible that some of these projects may not go forward due to shifts in economic and legislative conditions. However, production trends over the last decade show that as much as 85 percent to 90 percent of pipeline project units are completed within five to seven years.”

13th Annual Tomato Festival @ Kendall Jackson

Saturday, September 12, 2009

11 am to 4 pm

The 13th Annual Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival will feature more than 170 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in every size, shape and color imaginable.  They will be picked from KJ’s own Culinary Gardens and available to sample.

Pre-sale price:  $65

Wine Club Members: $60

www.kj.com/events/tomato-festival

Sausalito Art Festival

Event Name:  Sausalito Art Festival
Date:  Saturday 05, September 2009
Time:  9am to 6pm on Sat/Sun; 9am to 5pm on Monday
Phone:  415-331-3757
Website:  http://www.sausalitoartfestival.org

Special Notes:  Through September 7. Located on the Bay Model grounds and the Marinship Park. Ticket prices range from $5 – $20.

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