As more people continue to identify their changing needs this year, some are turning to the luxury housing sector for more space or finer features. In their most recent Luxury Market Report, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) states:
“In a snapshot of 2020, despite the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the luxury real estate market has seen one of its strongest years since 2008. In comparison to experts’ predictions in early 2020, it is remarkable how significant demands for property type, location, and amenity preferences have changed amid the pandemic.”
This national observation is very clearly seen in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley as a whole. When breaking down Valley home sales for the past three months into price ranges (Nov-Dec 2021), and comparing them to the same period last year, the biggest increases occurred in the luxury home price ranges. Homes sold in the $900k-1M price bracket increased 118% YOY with an even more dramatic rise in the $1M+ price bracket at 146% YOY (see chart below).
Coachella Valley Home Sales In Aggregate**
With more opportunities to work from home and a growing interest in having extra space for things like virtual school, working out and cooking more meals, the desire to own a home that can meet these needs continues to increase. The Coachella Valley has become an attractive option for those looking to fill these needs. Additionally, record-low mortgage rates are creating opportunities for homebuyers to stretch their legs into higher price points or even expand their real estate portfolios. The ILHM report continues to say:
“Experts believe that the demand for exclusive residential properties outside the metropolitan areas will continue well into 2021; even with the introduction of vaccines, the pandemic is far from over.
For those who have moved to the suburbs and beyond, moving back to the city full time is unlikely while the work from home trend remains. Many of these affluent homeowners are now making their secondary properties their primary residences for the foreseeable future.”
If you’re interested in buying a home this year, it appears that some higher-priced markets may have more homes to choose from than those at lower price points. Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research at realtor.com, notes:
“Interestingly, markets, where new supply is improving the fastest, tend to be higher priced than those that have yet to see improvement, suggesting sellers are more active in the more expensive markets.”
Bottom Line
If you’re hoping to buy in the luxury market, this could be the year to achieve that goal. Let’s connect today to explore your options.
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