January 2024 is Here. Hard to Believe, Right?

January is here in Marin, but before we get to that and what it may bring to the real estate market, I have to ask. Can you believe it’s 2024? It sounds so, so futuristic. Much of what we envisioned of what the future would look like is already here, some of it has been for quite some time. We’ve carried computers in our pockets or on our wrists for years. Self driving cars are here, though not in full swing yet, and I’ve yet to see only a few prototypes of cars that fly, let alone a working, affordable hoverboard. The one thing we haven’t seen is any changes in what our homes may look like in the future. Some have gotten smaller, tiny even. Others have gotten more monstrous. But we basically live within a rectangle of four walls with a roof overhead. That’s it. The stacked, glass towers exist in some cities, just not in my rural county. People still want a little yard, a little view, a little privacy and a lot of quality of life. That’s Marin for you and there’s no indication (yet) that people will stop wanting this. Hard to blame them. It’s a great place, as any homeowner knows. But what about those who want to live here? What’s a buyer to do with so little for sale and so much competition. Fear not, I for one think we’re in for a healthy, more balanced market in the months to come. I just don’t know how many months that may be. The forces that drive that are well out of my control. All I can tell you is, things change, even if it’s just a little. Change is good and I think we’re going to see a bit of that this year.

That means more inventory for all you patient buyers out there. No matter where you want to own a home, you should have more choices come early spring. There are a lot of sellers out there, waiting on the sidelines also, ready to make a change of some kind. Interest rates should benefit both parties. Lower is better when it comes to real estate. Let’s hope the economy provides for that.  

Until next time, enjoy January wherever you are, along with all of 2024. Please stay safe and as always, thanks for reading.

Ted

415.377.5222

ted@gomarin.com

Filed under: Marin Real Estate Blog by Ted Strodder