Are things cooling off?

For the first time in 14 months I have found myself with time on my hands. My phone is quieter, my email inbox not overflowing. It’s lovely. I have time to think and plan instead of react and it’s really nice.

On top of the quiet, I’m noticing that a few properties on the two MLS’s (multiple listing services) that I belong to have dropped their prices. Not all nor any huge number, but it’s been months since I saw anything but properties going into escrow or even price increases. I’ve seen a few fall out of escrow as well.

All of this makes me wonder if we are seeing the end of the coronavirus boom. It hasn’t been this quiet since before the pandemic. This is what normal feels like to me - a few calls, a few appointments and a couple of escrows in the works - not seven at one time, plus multiple showings per week and endless phone calls and text messages.

I can’t say too much about what is happening on the coast - the coastal MLS contains a variety of properties for sale, from the mid-$400,000’s on up. The MLS that covers Anderson Valley has not one residential property for sale (not in escrow) under $1,000,000. This too is what is causing our cool down; buyers for properties over $1,000,000 are fewer in number, plus buyers in that range who want to be in Anderson Valley is an even smaller pool. Without more properties in the lower price ranges sales in Anderson Valley are going to slow down.

Until this too changes I’m going to enjoy a little quiet and peace. I can drink my coffee and watch the birds in the birdbath, take the time to cook and enjoy and do my crossword puzzles guilt-free. I hope you all are able to relax a little, especially in this heat and with this smoke. Stay safe and well.

Birds cooling off in my birdbath.