Sound Off: How has the market changed this year?

A: The current Bay Area real estate market has shifted quite dramatically. In past years, we have a lull in July and August, when sellers must typically weigh the benefit of being the only game in town with the risk of a reduced buyer pool and while buyers hope for better prices but can worry that the nicer homes will only come to market after Labor Day.

This year is especially favorable for higherend sellers, as the few buyers in the $4 million range live near enough to come to see a compelling house.

Another difference is that buyers are moving past high rise condos with the many amenities offered in it. Instead, the new desire for ongoing safety has driven condo buyers to lowrise options — where the serendipitous design of our unique housing stock is such that almost none of the two and fourunit buildings have shared interior common space. This makes condo purchases on the western parts of the city a great option for ongoing safety.

This year’s summer lull came in March and April. The summer is now shaping up to be more like our spring market.

Daria Saraf, Sotheby’s International Realty, 4153172970,

dariasaraf@gmail.com.

A: All bets are off with respect to this year’s real estate market compared to last year’s — at least here in the Bay Area. In spite of COVID19, a wildlyfluctuating stock market and an uneasy presidential race, market demand is exceptionally high.

So while overall volume is down, prices are actually up. Perhaps it’s because interest rates are historically low, while supply has dwindled. Perhaps it’s because many of us are working from home or educating shelterinplacestyle. Perhaps city living just got a whole lot tougher with kids in tow. Whatever the reason, the market is not only hotter, it’s much swifter too as a desire for space outweighs the fear of moving in a crisis.

Without public open houses, there are no set marketing period. Consequently, houses are selling in a few days, not a few weeks. Because in a world where none of us know what tomorrow may bring, why wait?

Julie Gardner, Compass, 5103260840, julie@juliegardner.com.

A: This year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs for the real estate market and compared to years past at this time, we are on another upward climb.

People are coming out from sheltering in place, to buy whatever they can get their hands on and taking advantage of such low interest rates. My business takes me from San Mateo County to Stockton and Modesto, where mid range homes are in the $300,000’s and sell quickly with multiple offers.

As we get closer to the Bay Area, the prices double and triple but still face a lot of buyer competition.

In San Mateo County with their soaring price tags, the most attractive list prices are the ones that generate the most activity. Super low interest rates and the relaxation of shelterinplace restrictions have sent the Bay Area real estate market into a whirlwind.

Karin Cunningham, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, 6504383504, karinc@bhhscalreal.com.