With roughly 600 new condominiums actively for sale in San Francisco, the lowest new condominium inventory level since August of 2014, October sales (103) were 17 percent lower on a year-over-year basis and prices slipped 1 percent from September, according to the Mark Company’s Condominium Pricing Index.

The Mark Company’s index, which is susceptible to changes in mix, both in terms of the type of units selling and the buildings in which they’re being sold, remains 10 percent higher versus the same time last year, but that’s down from 20 percent higher on a year-over-year basis in August, at which point sales were 12 percent lower, year-over year.

There are currently 8,900 net-new units of housing under construction in San Francisco and building permits for another 5,900 units either issued, approved or in the works.

11 thoughts on “New Condo Sales in SF Drop YOY, Prices Slip from September”
  1. Things do seem to be slowing down and backing off a bit. Lots of little signs as shown by some of the SS posts.

    Is this just a fall going to winter slowdown? Will things pick up again in the spring as many here feel?

    I don’t know. I don’t think so. I think the current cycle is peaking. Admittedly, I am a contrarian of SS with regards to this.

  2. I think it is a slowdown magnified by the seasonality. Market most likely will rise again next year, but the rate of appreciation may be slower. A 5-10% appreciation is not a bad market.

    1. Agree. The market took next years increase a little early, so to speak.

      Inventory is sitting longer than normal, in part because of the climate. People are tentative. If they have to buy, that will turn to panic, and urgency, which is where the overbids come in.

      1. “Inventory is sitting longer than normal, in part because of the climate”

        Yes, those endless rains of October are to blame!

  3. Declining sales volume appears to be a leading indicator.

    In the last cycle, sales volume peaked in 2004 while prices continued to rise until 2007. In this cycle, sales volume peaked in 2013. So, 2016 is a good bet for the next peak in sales prices.

    I think the possibility of a black swan event is higher this time though, given more instability in the system due to Fed policies. A couple of dead unicorns would probably send the market into a tailspin.

  4. The real estate market has reached a permanently high plateau and is re-grouping for the next upward leg. You heard it here first!

  5. Its time for a recession given the normal cycle.

    Exports and imports to China falling.

    Commodity prices falling. Hurting especially brazil and Australia as China was buying up much of their mineral base. That demand is waning.

    Jobs report good in October but this year the US is, on average, creating fewer jobs than last year.

    Impact on real estate?

    Harry Dent who happens to be a bit dramatic and has a mized record says housing prices in Silicon Valley could drop 30% or more from their peak.

    Others see the plateau happening with a march up again of real estate prices by next spring.

    I think both scenarios are wrong. Certainly so if the US slips into recession.

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