Marin County Real Estate - December 2020

Though Covid-19 upended many normal seasonal trends this year, the market did begin its typical “holiday season” slowdown in November - however activity remained well above levels of last year. It is unknown how the latest pandemic circumstances may affect the market in December, which is usually by far the slowest month of the year. 

Below is a survey of Q3 2020 median home prices around the Bay Area. 

Highest priced listings on the market in early November, and the highest priced MLS home sales occurring May through October 2020, by Bay Area County. 

As is typical, the number of new listings plunged in November. In the first week of December - not illustrated on this chart - new listing activity ticked back up from the short Thanksgiving week, but remained well below pre-November numbers. December is usually the month with the fewest new listings coming on market.  

A major factor in the Marin market has been the relatively low number of active listings available for purchase. 

Market activity as measured by the number of listings going into contract, though dropping in November - as is the normal seasonal trend - was significantly higher on a year-over-year basis: 37% higher than in November 2019.  

A standard measure of supply and demand, months-supply-of-inventory has been bumping along at extremely low levels in recent months. 

A stronger, higher demand market = fewer price reductions. 

Marin County has seen one of the highest year-over-year increases in dollar volume sales, exceeded only by Napa and Monterey Counties. 

4 charts and tables on the Marin County and Bay Area luxury home markets. Most counties have seen an explosion of demand for big homes in exclusive locations. Sales volumes in several counties would certainly have been higher if not for the terrible fires. 

Annual median sales prices for houses of 5+ bedrooms, 3+ baths, 3500+ square feet in the more expensive communities of the 4 most expensive counties. 

If you're looking for a home priced $5 million and above, these are the places where you will have the greatest choice of listings. In Marin, most of the highest priced markets are quite small as measured by the number of listings and sales.