The Weather Outside is ....

December 30, 2011


"The weather outside is frightful..." is the opening line of a popular holiday song. Our Inland Southern California weather is anything but frightful. It has been absolutely delightful - warm and sunny in the day times and just chilly enough to have a fire in the fireplace if that gets you in the holiday spirit.


You can go to Riverside and rent a pair of ice skates and take a spin around the rink out side the Mission Inn. You can take a scenic drive up the mountains and do a bit of skiing. You could, if you really are into rubbing our weather into those folks in the mid west and the east coast, take a dip in your pool or spa.


We have been blessed in 2011 with some pretty great weather.


As you spend the next few days preparing for a new year and welcoming 2012, celebrate sensibly, make aspirational resolutions and enjoy friends and family.

Some "Fast Facts" from the California Association of Realtotrs

December 29, 2011


Each week the California Association of Realtors sends a newsletter which has many interesting articles including a section called "Fast Facts". This section gives a short synopsis of median prices, affordability index and mortgage rates in California. This blog has mostly focused on our Inland Empire region, but as 2011 draws to a close, I thought I would share the latest "Fast Facts".





Fast FactsCalif. median home price: November 2011: $280,960 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. highest median home price by region/county November 2011: Marin: $736,410 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. lowest median home price by region/county November 2011: Madera: $103,330 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: November 2011: 109.8, an increase of 11 percent compared with the prior year. Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Third quarter 2011: 52 percent (Source: C.A.R.)Mortgage rates: Week ending 12/22/2011 30-yr. fixed: 3.91% fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 3.21 fees/points: 0.8% 1-yr. adjustable: 2.77% Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)

Count Up to 2012

December 28, 2011


I am calling this post "Count Up" rather than "Count down" because as we go forward into the year 2012, there are signs that the economy in the Inland Empire is looking "up".


According to Beacon Economics's December issue of "The Regional Report", our labor market is trending upward and the Beacon forecast is for a rather steep increase from now and continuing to the 4th quarter of 2016.


The other positive trend that Beacon cites is the increase in taxable sales. Again, they are predicting that there will be continuing increases in the number of taxable sales during the next five years.


I am witnessing increased truck traffic in and out of the warehouses that populate our region. While truck traffic can be an annoyance, it is a good sign that goods are moving again and empty spaces are being occupied by active businesses.


Housing remains a bit of a stagnant section of the economy, but it seems likely that it, too, will begin to trend upward - if not in price increases, certainly in sales volume. If lender/investors finally put into practice efficient short sale processes these short sales will finally close and the upside down inventory will decrease.


So.....Count up to 2012.

Our Growing Place in Energy Research

December 27, 2011


On November 9, 2011, the University of California, Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering named a building after a Chinese battery inventor who has provided more than $13 million in support to the campus in the past year for clean energy research.


"Engineering Building II will now be known as Winston Chung Hall. Winston Chung, the founder, chairman and CEO of Winston Chung Energy in China, donated a 1.1 megawatt bank of rare earth lithium-ion batteries that were developed by his company and are valued at $2.5 million. The batteries will power the first floor of the building that bears his name.


The system, the first of its kind in the United States, has the potential to reduce the electric bill for a comparable building by $22,000 per year. Eventually the system, will power the entire four-story, 90,000 square foot building. Excess power will be returned to the grid operated by Riverside Public Utilities.


In addition to the batteries, Winston Chung is funding six grants for faculty at the Bourns College of Engineering.


Sometimes the Inland Empire is looked down on as only cheap dirt and cheap labor, but there is much going on that is making for significant changes and opportunities in our region.

Count Down to 2012

December 26, 2011


We are entering the final week of the year 2011. It was a year with expectations of better times. For the most part it is ending as a year in which the economy was like a swimmer in a water polo game that just treads water. The economy did not see great improvement but it also did not see continuing decline.


The news for our Inland Southern California area is encouraging as we see some job growth, a small decline in the jobless rate and an inkling that construction may come alive. Not big changes from the past few years, but small steps are a welcome relief.


Christmas shopping numbers indicate that retailers have had a reprieve from a slow sales year. Yes, the Walmarts and the Coscos and the Dollar stores were particularly favored, but even local boutiques claim to have better than expected sales.


I will be doing housing numbers next week, but I predict housing sales will have been up for the year - not prices, but volume.


It will be interesting to note some positive events of 2011 as we count down to 2012.

Poetry Parody by For your Christmas Enjoyment

December 23, 2011


CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty had a poetry parody writing contest. The familiar "Twas the Night before Christmas was rewritten to fit our perception of the week before Christmas. Here is a sample written by Denise Fennel, our Systems Manager.


Twas the week before Christmas and all thru the office, not an agent was stirring,


To the muse of the bosses.


Carol and Pat, they minded the phones, In hopes for a call to sell a new home.


The holiday voice mails had been crafted with care,

But that one lone shopper still hoped someone was there.


With Vaughn at his desk and Dave at the front,

They just settled in for a short winter's slump.

When out in the drive there arose such a clatter,

Dave ran out to see what was the matter.


A seller arrived with his docs in his hand,

"My escrow!" he cried, must close as we planned.


When what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But all the disclosures were completed and clear.


With his trusty agent right by his side,

We knew in a moment why we warranted pride.


More rapid than stenographers they finished the file.

We cheered and acknowledged and called them in style.


Now agent, now escrow and lenders and staff,

On computers and phones and all PDFs.


To the top of the pile, to the top of it all,

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!


As the agents shook hands and said their goodbyes,

And giving a nod put this job aside.


They knew in their hearts it was mission complete,

There was no one in town who could ever compete.


But we heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."


From all of us at CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty, have a wonderful Christmas!!!!


More

Some Tips for Lowering Your Heating Bills

December 22, 2011


With the cold snap we have experienced the past week, we can probably look forward to an increase in our monthly gas bill. According to the Southern California Gas Company, home heating is the biggest winter energy expense for most of us - about 65 percent of a typical residential gas bill, followed by 20 percent for water heating and 15 percent for drying clothes, cooking meals and other uses.


The Gas Company offers these tips to help reduce your gas bills:


"Lower your thermostat by 3 to 5 degrees, health permitting.


Clean or replace furnace filters as directed by the manufacturer.


Remove dirt, lint and obstructions from all heating vents and furnace registers.


Bring the sun's warmth indoors by opening drapes, shades and other window coverings during the day. Close them at night to retain the heat."


I might add one more item. However, it will probably require having a professional heating technician come by. Often in property inspection reports, the inspector notes that some of the ducting has gaps which let hot air escape into the attic areas. Since this can be a significant heat loss, having therm re taped can bring a significant reduction in your heating bill.

Here's a Last Minute Gift Idea

December 21, 2011


The following information was written by David Danelski and published in the Sun newspaper on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.


If you have ever wanted a gas log in your fireplace, now is the time to make the switch. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has made $500,000 available on a first come, first served basis for fireplace inserts.


According to the agency, 1.2 million households in the South Coast Air Basin have wood burning fireplaces or wood stoves that can emit five tons of fine particle pollution per day, roughly four times the fine particle pollution produced by the region's power plants in the same period.


The agency is offering residents up to $200 to offset the expense of purchasing and installing natural gas fireplace logs. They estimate purchase and installation to be about $500.\People living in Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties below 3,000 feet in elevation are eligible for the subsides.


The gas logs must be purchased from participating retailers. To find a participating retailer and confirm eligible zip codes, you can visit http://www.healthyhearths.org/ and click on Gas Log Incentives or call 800-288-7664.

Treat Yourself to the Holiday Festival at the Mission Inn

December 16, 2011


The Historic Mission Inn in Riverside is a glow with the Festival of Lights. One half million twinkling lights illuminate Main Street and the entire block. If you have never treated yourself to an evening at the Mission Inn site, it is well worth the trip.


Not only are the lights and animated figures a thrill to see, there are booths and a skating rink for true wintertime fun. This is the 19th year of this spectacle that is quite unique in Southern California.


Of course Santa Claus will be there every evening through December 24 when he has to pack up and make his Christmas rounds.


The entire event reminds one of picture postcards of holiday festivities from times past. A visit will definitely evoke strong feelings of nostalgia.

More Positive Inland Empire News

December 15, 2011


It is a rare thing when I see a headline in a major print media that references the Inland Empire - unless it is listing us as the foreclosure capital. However on December 7, 2011, in the Wall Street Journal, on the Property Report page, a small article by Matthew Strozier was entitled "Stirrings in the Inland Empire".


Mr Strozier's piece discussed the fact that developers are moving forward with the region's first speculative warehouse and distribution center since the downturn. According to the article, the Inland Empire is the country's seventh largest warehouse market and leasing appears to be headed to an increase over last year's volume.


For those of us who inhabit the Inland Empire, we are well aware of the large number of warehouses that were built during the boom years. It is a fact of the economy of our region that the Riverside/San Bernardino areas are a major player in the distribution of goods that enter or leave the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We can deplore the way that these massive structures use up our land and replace our citrus groves but they seem to be an important element in our present and future economy.

A Positive Headline

December 14, 2011


On Sunday, December 11, 2011, in the Business section of the San Bernardino Sun, there was a column with a positive heading: "I.E. job market on the upswing". Since we have been constantly bombarded with articles focusing on how stagnant our economy is, it was a real holiday treat to read about some positive news.


The correspondent, Benjamin Wright, began by saying "Over the past few months, the Inland Empire has seen a sharp uptick in employment with the construction industry - believe it or not - playing a role in that equation."


He states that since June, the I.E. has added 22,100 jobs. He also says that these jobs have been spread across several areas with construction being one of those areas. Not single family homes, but non residential structures such as warehouses and office buildings. Some multifamily construction is also in the works.


Interestingly, even though some homeowners may be underwater, they are upgrading there homes with many improvements. He states "The value of these projects has increased by more than 20% since late 2009."


Bit by bit, we see positive changes for the outlook of our economy in 2012.

Median Prices - January Thru November 2011

December 13, 2011


What have the median prices done in the year 2011, the third or fourth year of the downturn, depending on when you think it began. These median prices are not the result of economic analysis. They are simply the prices of the properties that are at the halfway point of the transactions reported closed in the CRMLS. Add three zeros to the number reported.
Banning/Beaumont...........Jan/175......Feb/155......Mar/155......Apr/155......May/148


............................................June/165....July/161......Aug/165......Sept/151......Oct/159


.............................................Nov/155


Bloomington......................Jan/165......Feb/130......Mar/149......Apr/150......May/125


..........................................June/150.....July/155......Aug/140.....Sept/150.......Oct/145


...........................................Nov/145


Colton...............................Jan/93........Feb/122.......Mar/149.......Apr/110.......May/117


.........................................June/130....July/110.......Aug/120.......Sept/116......Oct/95


..........................................Nov/131


Fontana...........................Jan/194......Feb/195........Mar/211.......Apr/200......May/185


.........................................June/215....July/205.......Aug/200......Sept/200......Oct/210


.........................................Nov/200


Grand Terrace...............Jan/203......Feb/195........Mar/200......Apr/205.......May/180


........................................June/165.....July/220.......Aug/215.......Sept/222.......Oct/200


.........................................Nov/190


Highland.........................Jan/162......Feb/180........Mar/155.......Apr/165........May/185


........................................June/182....July/163........Aug/200......Sept/165........Oct/170


.........................................Nov/170


Loma Linda....................Jan/250.....Feb/219........Mar/220......Apr/200........May/235


.......................................June/250....July/220.......Aug/250......Sept/210.........Oct/195


........................................Nov/192


Mentone........................Jan/157......Feb/80.........Mar/85.........Apr/154..........May/95


......................................June/95......July/144.......Aug/159.......Sept/93...........Oct/80/150


......................................Nov/120


Moreno Valley............Jan/155......Feb/154.......Mar/148.......Apr/148..........May/148


.....................................June/153.....July/157.......Aug/159.......Sept/155..........Oct/152


......................................Nov/150


Redlands......................Jan/218......Feb/203.......Mar/205.......Apr/202.........May/220


.....................................June/225...July/205.......Aug/215........Sept/196........Oct/189


......................................Nov/190


Rialto............................Jan/160.....Feb/165........Mar/152.......Apr/160..........May/164


.....................................June/158....July/165.......Aug/170.......Sept/161..........Oct/160


......................................Nov/150


Riverside.....................Jan/180.....Feb/195........Mar/187.......Apr/160...........May/190


....................................June/189....July/190........Aug/200......Sept/195...........Oct/190


.....................................Nov/187


San Bernardino..........Jan/122.....Feb/105........Mar/95.........Apr/109...........May/105


....................................June/99.....July/123........Aug/100.......Sept/104..........Oct/108


.....................................Nov/104


Yucaipa/Calimesa......Jan/210....Feb/190........Mar/181.......Apr/198...........May/180


....................................June/188...July/195........Aug/212.......Sept/165...........Oct/180


.....................................Nov/177


There are the numbers. It would be great if they showed an upturn but at the moment we are satisfied with just a limited trading range and no big changes.

Monthly Closed Sales - January Thru November 2011

December 12, 2011


Here is a way to track the single family real estate market in our Inland Southern California area. For the fourteen communities that I regularly track, I post the number of closed sales for each month of 2011.


Banning/Beaumont...........Jan/93.......Feb/84.......Mar/147.......Apr/129.......May/121......June/147


............................................July/152....Aug/114......Sept/134.......Oct/126......Nov/110


Bloomington.......................Jan/25......Feb/15........Mar/20.........Apr/32........May/11.........June/32


............................................July/25......Aug/18.......Sept/20.........Oct/27.........Nov/23


Colton..................................Jan/42......Feb/36.......Mar/28.........Apr/44.........May/46........June/35


............................................July/49......Aug/50......Sept/41.........Oct/44..........Nov/45


Fontana..............................Jan/212.....Feb/177.....Mar/165.......Apr/246.......May/211......June/287


...........................................July/228.....Aug/239....Sept/242......Oct/227........Nov/232


Grand Terrace..................Jan/6.........Feb/9.........Mar/11.........Apr/10..........May/8.........June/13


...........................................July/10......Aug/11.......Sept/11.........Oct/8.............Nov/5


Highland............................Jan/47.......Feb/37.......Mar/55........Apr/62...........May/56......June/54


...........................................July/55......Aug/62......Sept/66........Oct/48...........Nov/63


Loma Linda.......................Jan/22......Feb/12.......Mar/15........Apr/12...........May/22.......June/18


...........................................July/14......Aug/15......Sept/13........Oct/26...........Nov/11


Mentone............................Jan/5........Feb/6.........Mar/12........Apr/4.............May/11.......June/7


..........................................July/11......Aug/6.........Sept/11........Oct/8..............Nov/14


Moreno Valley.................Jan/191....Feb/159.....Mar/273......Apr/246.........May/232....June/269


..........................................July/249...Aug/253....Sept/236......Oct/198.........Nov/220


Redlands..........................Jan/54......Feb/44.......Mar/55........Apr/67...........May/67.......June/75


.........................................July/56......Aug/78.......Sept/65.......Oct/65............Nov/49


Rialto................................Jan/104....Feb/66......Mar/132......Apr/116..........May/108....June/116


.........................................July/111....Aug/121.....Sept/109.....Oct/100.........Nov/83


Riverside.........................Jan/309....Feb/257.....Mar/368.....Apr/383........May/418......June/398


.........................................July/371....Aug/451.....Sept/411.....Oct/344........Nov/343


San Bernardino..............Jan/289....Feb/141......Mar/213.....Apr/220........May/202.....June/230


........................................July/197.....Aug/192.....Sept/182.....Oct/180........Nov/179


Yucaipa/Calimesa.........Jan/50.......Feb/41........Mar/66......Apr/58...........May/50.......June/68


........................................July/49.......Aug/76.......Sept/67.......Oct/62...........Nov/59


There you have the numbers. If I put them on a graph they would look a bit like a bouncing ball.


It will be interesting to see if the December closings bounce back up with buyers and sellers trying to close a transaction in 2011.

Palm Springs Celebrates the Holidays

December 9, 2011


Tomorrow Visitors to the Palm Springs Art Museum or the Palm Springs Air Museum will have some real treats.


The Desert Winds Freedom Concert and Jazz Bands will be providing an afternoon of traditional, contemporary and swing music at The Palm Springs Art Museum from 2 - 3 p.m.


While you are there enjoy the wonderful collection of art that is on display at the museum. The museum is located at 101 Museum Drive. You can obtain more information at http://www.psmuseum.org/


A 1:00 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive at the Palm Springs Air museum in a Stearman Biplane. He will be bringing a bag of goodies and children are invited to join him. He will seat himself in a bright red chair under the wing of a C-47. The Air Museum is located at 745 N. Gene Autry Triangle. For additional information http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/

Closed Sales - November 2011

December 8, 2011


Here are the numbers for residential real estate properties reported sold in the months of November 2011-2003. These numbers are obtained from the CRMLS.


Banning/Beaumont...........2011/110......2010/119......2009/109......2008/120......2007/47


.............................................2006/68.......2005/104.....2004/79.........2003/85


Bloomington.......................2011/23.......2010/30........2009/19.........2008/19........2007/10


.............................................2006/19.......2005/33.......2004/18.........2003/29


Colton..................................2011/45.......2010/45........2009/44.........2008/47.........2007/9


............................................2006/37........2005/54.......2004/47..........2003/30


Fontana..............................2011/232......2010/239.....2009/222.......2008/325......2007/82


............................................2006/160......2005/235.....2004/224......2003/192


Grand Terrace..................2011/5...........2010/4..........2009/4..........2008/8...........2007/10


............................................2006/11.........2005/14.......2003/14.........2003/8


Highland............................2011/63.........2010/44.......2009/57.........2008/58.........2007/35


............................................2006/36........2005/81.......2004/54.........2003/54


Loma Linda.......................2011/11.........2010/12.......2009/3...........2006/10.........2007/10


...........................................2006/10.........2005/7.........2004/12.........2003/7


Mentone...........................2011/14..........2010/7.........2009/11.........2008/4...........2007/13


...........................................2006/7...........2005/10.......2004/5..........2003/10


Moreno Valley.................2011/220......2010/221......2009/312......2008/415.......2007/72


..........................................2006/190......2005/347.....2004/216.......2003/237


Redlands..........................2011/49........2010/58........2009/59.........2008/37.........2007/38


..........................................2006/63........2005/60.......2004/71.........2003/61


Rialto................................2011/83........2010/104......2009/122......2008/133........2007/39


..........................................2006/56........2005/97........2004/106.....2003/111


Riverside.........................2011/343.......2010/349......2009/356.....2008/422........2007/142


..........................................2006/328......2005/467......2004/367.....2003/363


San Bernardino..............2011/179........2010/185......2009/234.....2008/248........2007/72


.........................................2006/174.......2005/236......2004/188.....2003/221


Yucaipa/Calimesa.........2011/59..........2010/50........2009/52.......2008/53..........2007/26


.........................................2006/51.........2005/61........2004/85.......2003/61


There you have the numbers. It is somewhat surprising that the number of closed transactions is remarkably consistent - boom times or bust times. Other than 2007 when sales really declined as potential buyers realized that the market had fallen. Then in 2008, following a substantial adjustment in the price of real property, sales bounced up and the volume in some communities was the highest in the past nine years.

Seventy Years Ago

December 7, 2011


For the United States, the world changed on December 7, 1941. We were attacked by a small foreign country and the Second World War began. At that time, the citizens mobilized and went all out in defeating the enemies. There were paper drives and scrap iron drives. There was food rationing. I remember that you had to have a ration book to purchase shoes. There was a grand unity of purpose.


Today there the United States is a different country. Just as then, we are recovering from a major economic downturn. However, now we are hampered by a political disunity rather than the unity of the 1940s. We do not need a world war to restore a vibrant economy. (We are already fighting two wars.) Perhaps a reflection on how we got from then to now would show us a path to true economic recovery.

Oh, The Stories We Hear

December 6, 2011


As professional real estate agents, we can be in the thick of the human costs of the real estate crisis. Homeowners come to us with questions about foreclosure processes, short sales, loan modifications and deed-in-lieu. Even with the many educational opportunities that are offered by the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, we share in the helplessness of these upside down homeowners.


Yes, some of them brought it on themselves when they refinanced at the peak of the market and took equity from their homes. However, some just purchased a home at the peak of the market. Most find themselves with a total equity loss and even with a loan that exceeds the present value of their property.


The government continues to propose programs to aid the homeowners who want to retain possession. Thus far most of these programs have not worked very well. Unfortunately when a lender is contacted by the homeowners they are told that they cannot have a loan modification unless they have missed payments. The homeowner follows this direction and then a program comes out that says the homeowner must not have missed payments.


Even after at least three years of the real estate crisis, it would seem that lending/banking industry has not figured out how to turn these upside down loans into positive assets for the lending banks. It is still taking 6 months for a short sale from most of the major lending institutions. Loan modifications are pretty well impossible to obtain and homeowners who were otherwise good borrowers are stopping their payments.


Why not modify a loan to the current market value of the home. Request shared equity or a note that gives the lender any additional monies if the property is sold for more. There must be a way.

Staging a Home For Sale

December 5, 2011


The practice of "staging" a home for sale began to be popular in the 1980s. Prior to the use of the word "staging" and the professionals who called themselves "stagers", real estate agents would walk through a home with a seller and make suggestions about putting away personal items and clutter in order to show the home to be as "crisp and clean" as possible. The theory always was that "crisp and clean" attracts more potential buyers and will help the seller achieve th "highest possible price" in any given real estate market - up or down.


I read an article in the LA Times written by a Mary Umberger. She was reporting on an interview with Andrea Angott who has a doctorate in psychology. She generally is studying how consumers make their decisions about healthcare but last year she did a project in which she research "staging" in real estate.


Andrea sent out a survey to a stagers' trade group and received back 457 responses with more still coming. The most important "staging" that a homeowner could do was to remove personal items from bathrooms, such as used bars of soap, toothbrushes, razors. This was number one in importance receiving a 6.55 on a 7 point scale. The number 2 concern was that sellers should furnish rooms in ways that the rooms were intended. For example: a dining room should have a dining room set, not desks and computers or other non-dining room furniture. Buyers seemingly cannot visualize spaces if they are compromised by inappropriate furniture.


The number 1 concern of personal items is an easy fix. The number 2 concern is perhaps not so easy as it could involve a seller's lifestyle. However, if you are really intending to move on, it may be a good idea to listen to the "stager" or to your real estate agent.

You Know it's December when....

December 2, 2011


Not the howling and cold winds tell the East Valley that December has arrived. It is all the traditional holiday festivities that welcome the month of December. Parades, tree lighting ceremonies, downtown Riverside skating, millions of lights on the Mission Inn and the Holiday Home Tour in Redlands.


For, I believe thirty-nine years, the Holiday Home Tour in Redlands has welcomed hundreds and even thousands of visitors. Begun by the YWCA and now sponsored by the YMCA, this home tour features six of Redlands very special homes. Decorated by local florists and the homeowners, these homes will be open to the public from9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 4. Advance tickets are $25.00 and the day of the tour $30.00 They may be purchased at any of the homes. There is also a Patron Package for $65 that will give you priority for entrance.


On Saturday and Sunday, the YMCA will be holding a craft boutique and pantry at the Y facility on Citrus Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


These events are fundraisers for the YMCA, but they are also great "fun" raisers for the community of Redlands.

Listing, Pending and Back-up December 1, 2011

December 1, 2011


We are beginning the final month of 2011. As I review the numbers, I see some positive movement in the ratios of properties in escrow to the properties that are listed for sale. There is nothing scientific in these numbers, but they do reflect the real estate activity that is taking place in our market area. It seems to me that as we bounce along the bottom of the real estate decline, we are seeing some improvement in the volume of properties going into escrow. We continue to have a bit of a shortage in the number of properties being market for sale. No glut here.


Banning/Beaumont..........List/456.......Pend/194.......Back-up/100......Ratio/.645


Bloomington......................List/58.........Pend/47.........Back-up/21........Ratio/1.172


Colton.................................List/96.........Pend/86.........Back-up/36........Ratio/1.271


Fontana..............................List/569.......Pend/488......Back-up/214.......Ratio/1.234


Grand Terrace...................List/38.........Pend/17.........Back-up/7...........Ratio/.632


Highland............................List/137........Pend/115.......Back-up/55........Ratio/1.241


Loma Linda.......................List/37..........Pend/34........Back-up/12.........Ratio/1.243


Mentone............................List/34..........Pend/19........Back-up/9...........Ratio/.834


Moreno Vallaey................List/686.......Pend/468......Back-up/206......Ratio/.983


Redlands............................List/254.......Pend/96........Back-up/43.........Ratio/.547


Rialto.................................List/290.......Pend/206......Back-up/66.........Ratio/.938


Riverside...........................List/1173......Pend/739......Back-up/380.......Ratio/.954


San Bernardino................List/643.......Pend/413......Back-up/125........Ratio/.837


Yucaipa/Calimesa...........List/226.......Pend/103......Back-up/63..........Ratio/.735


There you have the numbers. December 1, 2010, the highest ratio was Fontana at .910. The lowest ratio was Redlands at .450. It is interesting to note that Redlands has continued to be the lowest ratio of properties in escrow to properties listed for sale. This may be attributed to the fact that the over $400,000 market has not recovered to the same extent as the more moderately priced properties. It could be interesting to do a more in depth analysis.