San Jose Real Estate * REALTOR ® * Richard Gonzalez

The California Association of REALTORS latest report tracks entry level housing requirements for the state of California over the second quarter of 2010. Santa Clara County has slipped slightly in the affordability index from 55% in Q1 2010 to 51% in Q2 2010.

The report also tracks income requirements for entry level housing and monthly  principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) payments a buyer should budget towards housing. A first time home buyer would need to make a PITI payment of $2,940. This is taking into account a Santa Clara County median purchase price of $535,500.

Read report here

Just when most buyers face the end of the $8,000 tax credit Governor Schwarzenegger has revealed a new incentive planned for May 1st that would give buyers up to $10,000.

The day after the federal government credit expires this new state credit would pick up where the federal one left off.
Details of the credit qualifications have not been finalized but the funding is coming from a $100 million dollar program crafted last year as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Read article here

The very first question most home-buyers ask is “How much do I have to earn to buy a home in Santa Clara County?”. The answer may be found in the California Association of REALTORS 2009 Fourth Quarter Housing Affordability Index report.

• 52% of Santa Clara County residents currently qualify based on current housing prices and personal incomes.
• The Chart below shows that you have to bring home a combined total of $85,200 in order to make an average payment of $2,840(taxes and insurance included).
• Based on this criteria you should be able to purchase a home on an average sales price of $497,250.

There are more affordable homes in Santa Clara County and as such you can qualify for less. Consult your banks loan officer or mortgage broker to pre-qualify yourself.

Click here to read C.A.R.’s full report

I decided to create an ongoing video update of the Santana Row neighboring area sales and will continue to do so on a quarterly bases to help you track sales activity along with financing terms used in the area. The video can be viewed on my youtube channel and can be viewed by clicking the video below.

Months Supply of Inventory

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July’s Market data shows a huge drought in available San Jose inventory complicated by the less than two months inventory we are currently experiencing. While there continues to be rumors of an influx of foreclosed homes my feeling is that investors holding the inventory will release it at a measured pace to maximize net profit.

Supply vs Demand

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Another chart showing the shrinking inventory compared to the up swing in sales activity.

Pending Home Sales

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A year ago the amount of inventory was evident but since then the introduction of FHA loans and low interest rates have obviously fueled pending sales activity. Furthermore the low affordable home prices are contributing to the frenzy and cash investors taking advantage of cash flow positive opportunities.

Median Sales Price

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Affordable homes prices between $250,000 and $350,000 are generating twice as many sales thus impacting the median sales price. This is not an indication that home prices are sliding, it shows the huge pool of affordable homes have been moving over the last 90 days.

New Listing Activity

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while we continue to see foreclosure activity and short sales driving the San Jose market more and more sellers are opting to wait out the volatility of the economy before considering trading up to another home. Remember that any seller may have to take consider taking a haircut in price ultimately preventing some sellers from entering the market.

Summary

Affordability continues to be the name of the game. The sweet spot for our market are properties under $500,000. Buyers considering purchasing a home should prepare themselves for a sellers market. Average months of inventory under six months are considered sellers markets. We are currently under two months of inventory.