Fast Facts from C.A.R.

June 30, 2011


I receive a weekly news line from the California Association of Realtors. It includes a section called "Fast Facts" I thought I would share this data. For many weeks, two locations in Southern California held the record for highest median price (Santa Barbara) and lowest median price (Hesperia). However , of late, these designations have been assigned to areas of Northern California.


"California median home price: May 2011: $291,760 (Source: C.A.R.)


Calif. highest median home price by region/county May 2011: San Mateo: $810,000 (Source C.A.R.)


Calif. lowest median home price by region/County May 2011:Merced $113,000 (Source C.A.R.)"

You can check the post of June 8, 2011 to see the median prices of the 14 communities that I check.

Sometimes Its Fun to Mulch

June 29, 2011


Summer is here and in our hot, dry climate, mulching around plants can help keep them moist. Here are some innovative mulching materials that I read about in a Yankee Magazine book entitled "Panty Hose, Hot Peppers, Tea Bags, and more - for the Garden".


"Recycle corks from your favorite wine bottles... Corks allow water to pass through but provide insulation from heat and cold."


Do you have old marbles? "Put those marbles to good use - as mulch in plant containers. Arrange them at least one marble thick over the soil. They'll be prettier and more effective, though, if you add a couple of layers so that the top ones can catch the light."


"That old used aquarium gravel makes a fine mulch for containers. Coordinate the colors of the gravel with the blooms of the plant."


These creative ideas always provide fun reading and are actually fun to implement.

Summer Is Here - Time to Look at Home Energy Use

June 28, 2011


The heat of summer has arrived ! Folks are turning on their air conditioning systems and the next utility bills may be huge. It is time to check your home for improving the energy efficiency. Some local utility companies will do an energy audit. You can give them a call or visit http://www.energysavers.gov/ and click on Your Home for tips on energy assessments.


Sealing windows, adding insulation and having your air conditioning unit tuned up can help reduce gas and electric bills. Have you changed the filter in your furnace. dirty and clogged filters really cut the efficiency of a system. If you find that you need a new air conditioning unit or a new hot water heater, tax rebates are still available this year.


Check your appliances. Is that old refrigerator in the garage using too much energy? Do you wait until you have full loads to run your dishwasher and your washing machine?


If you want a thorough audit of the energy efficiency of your home, you can contact a HERS home energy audit. You can find the nearest H.E.R.S. certified rater in your area at http://www.calcerts.com/


The Realtor's Energy Audit Program offers a $250 rebate to qualifying buyers of homes in California who have a HERS home energy audit within 60 days after close of escrow and before December 31, 2011.

Purchasing a REO Property

June 27, 2011


With one quarter of the active listings on the MLS being bank-owned (REOs) buyers need to understand that a lender or bank has a chief objective of getting the property sold without subjecting the bank to lingering liability.


A bank's asset manager is usually someone who has probably never seen the property. For this reason, most banks will do an addendum to a purchase agreement that usually clearly states that they will not be responsible for any repairs. They are not required to do the usual disclosures - the buyer must use the inspection time to check out the condition of the property. Buyers of REO property generally must assume responsibility for any repairs that are necessary.


Buyers should also carefully review the preliminary title report. While it is true that foreclosure will eliminate subordinate liens, it does not eliminate property taxes or items that may have existed when the foreclosed owner bought the property. Be sure that the bank does provide and owner's title insurance policy.


If the bank will not pay for a one year home warranty policy, it is in a buyer's best interest to purchase one. If there is a home warranty policy that will cover pre existing conditions, that is the one to select.


Once the transaction has closed and the buyer receives the keys. the buyer should call a locksmith and have the locks changed. It is also important to reprogram the garage door opener.


Paying attention to time frames and being patient are important to successfully close a REO transaction.

Opening Concert The Redlands Community Music Festival

June 24, 2011


Tonight the Redlands Community Music Association opens it's 2011 season at the Redlands Bowl. The San Bernardino Symphony will present "Pop Dreams 2011". Recording star, James Darren, will be the featured performer and Frank Fetta will be the conductor. The performance will show case great American standards. It will begin with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at 8:15 p.m.
There is no admission charge for the Redlands Bowl performances, but the the audience is urged to donate when the red bowls are passed at intermission. The Community Music Association works very hard to bring world class performers to the stage. They must totally depend on endowments and donated funds. The intention of the founders of these bowl concerts was that music would be available for everyone to enjoy with those who could contributing to the costs. In it's 88th season, it has been and continues to be one of the Inland Empire's jewels.


For additional information visit the website http://www.redlandsbowl.org/

"Catfish Recovery"

June 23, 2011


In an article by Steve Cook in RISMedia on June 8, 2011, Scott Sambucci, vice president of market analytics for Altos Research is quoted. I found the quote and the designation "catfish recovery" to be right on target. I share it with you.


"We've entered the catfish recovery. What is catfish recover? Housing prices will find their way back to a fairly stable and sustainable place near the bottom and they'll stay there for a while. Catfish live on the bottom of lakes and streams, bobbing up and down, moving around without any clear direction. The housing price trend will look like the path of a swimming catfish, and that's why it's the catfish recover." says Sambucci.


I personally love images and for me this is a perfect description of where we are in the housing market. In his Webcast he also adds : "We're heading into the single best time to make money in real estate, but only for smart people."

When it's Time to Buy a Home

June 22, 2011
Recently there have been many headlines and op ed pieces about "Why It's Time to Buy", How To tell If Your Housing Market Has Hit Bottom" and similar titles say the time is now or the time is not now. How is a person to make the decision to enter the real estate market as a prospective home buyer?
Here are a few non-statistical and non tangible suggestions for deciding you want a home of your own.
1. You love gardening - vegetable or flower and your rental place either will not permit it or has no place to garden.
2. You are a hobby person and your rental place has no place to work your hobby or will not permit you to do any hobby. No band practice, no craft messes, etc.
3. You are tired of plain white walls and want to brighten your environment with the latest fashionable wall colors.
4. You want a space where your kids can run and play outside or you can entertain friends for a patio party.
5. You love your job and you plan to put down roots and be a part of a community.
I could cite the usual statistical and financial reasons, but sometimes these intangibles can be more important in a person's buying decision.

Check for Yourself - Are Used Home Sales Declining?

June 21, 2011




The news media this morning were announcing the National Association of Realtors information on used home sales. The data reported suggested that in the month of May 2011 sales were down approximately 3.8% from May of 2010.

I realized that I had not posted the closed transactions for 2011. I had only posted the numbers for the years 2011-2003. I thought it would be interesting to trace the volume of units reported sold in the 5 months of 2011.

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


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


Colton.............................Jan/42......Feb/36.....Mar/38.......Apr/44........May/46


Fontana..........................Jan/212....Feb/177....Mar/265.....Apr/246......May/211


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


Highland........................Jan/47......Feb/37.....Mar/58.......Apr/58.........May/54


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


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


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


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


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


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


San Bernardino...........Jan/189.....Feb/141....Mar/213......Apr/220.......May/202


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


This data comes from the CRMLS reporting of closed single family home transactions. Several op ed pieces in the Wall Street Journal and other news media have begun to stress that real estate markets are local. The data for these 14 communities does give a picture of local activity. It is interesting to note that in most of these communities the closing numbers are in a pretty tight range. Riverside is a major area and it has shown increased volume in the past three months. Let's hope that this trend spreads and continues.

Forbes Magazine "Making Your Kid a Millionaire"

June 20, 2011


The June 27, 2011 issue of Forbes Magazine cover features the title of an article in the magazine : "The 10 Steps to Make Your Kid a Millionaire". Step #9 is entitled "Put Your Kids in a House". The writer suggests that the gift of a down payment is a significant step toward their wealth building. Even in today's negative housing environment looking long range gives home ownership an advantage.


Yes, the prices of homes have fallen and may still fall a bit further, but looking out over a longer horizon, property owners win. Here is a quote from the article that does get to the bottom line benefit. If you put capital into stocks and bonds and use the earnings to pay rent, you'll owe tax on the earnings. If you put the same capital into a home you will get a dividend in the form of living space - and the dividend is tax free."


"Cashing out is tax-favored, too. Up to $500,000 per couple of of homeowner capital gain is exempt. You don't get that with your stock portfolio."


How great it is to see writers in a financial magazine rooting for home ownership!

Calling All Bluegrass Fans

June 17, 2011


One thing is for sure - the Inland Empire offers a wide variety of venues and entertainments. This weekend, June 17, 18, 19, the 35th annual Huck Finn Jubilee will take place at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park in San Bernardino County, 1800 Yates Road, Victorville.


In 2001 this jubilee was named the Bluegrass Event of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. The event founder and executive director, Don Tucker continues to add new attractions each year. Attendees can build river rafts, go catfish fishing, take hot air balloon rides and enjoy country music. Roy Clark of "Hee Haw" fame will be the featured entertainer and will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday.


The hours of the jubilee are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $20 per day for adults; $5 for kids 6-12; free for children 6 and under. Parking is free.


More information at 909-780-8810 or http://www.huckfinn.com/

Planning to Buy This Summer?

June 16, 2011
You've heard the news. Interest rates are as low as they been in decades. Home prices are 30-40% less than they were 5/6 years ago (Yes, It was 2005/6 that the real estate market peaked). If you have a job and good credit, this is the time.
One small caveat: houses that are great value are sold the day the listing appears. This means that serious buyers need to be connected in some way to a real estate professional. One really valuable way is to have your real estate agent enroll your e mail in Listing Book. This on lone program will notify you by e mail when a property that meets your inputted needs and wants is listed on the MLS.
It also means that you can search the MLS for properties on your own.
There are great opportunities this summer to find a home and to obtain the necessary financing. The slogan "Just do it" clearly fits this summer's opportunities.

Water Conservation and Lush LAndscapes

June 15, 2011


Next week we will officially be in the Summer season of the year. Rainy weather will probably not occur in the Inland Empire until the fall season. The attractiveness of our landscapes depends on our being diligent in monitoring the water needs of our gardens and lawns.


Drought tolerant plants are being publicized as are drip irrigation systems. The proper plants and the proper watering systems will maintain pleasing landscapes. A lack of proper irrigation can lead to droopy plants an a neglected look to the property.


For some help on the subject of "Sustainable Landscaping" the university of California Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino County is offering a workshop this Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center in Highland. This workshop is free and open to the public.


RSVP through university horticulturist Janet Hartin at 951-313-2023 or jshartin@ucdavis.edu

Tracking the $400,000+ Market 2011

Did you just hear that loud scream? I just lost my bog post with all the data.
Once more, I will post the numbers for the closed real estate sales over $400,000. Riverside, Redlands and Yucaipa are beginning to show some life.
Banning/Beaumont.........Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Bloomington....................Jan/o......Feb/0......Mar/0.......Apr/0......May/0
Colton...............................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Fontana............................Jan/3......Feb/2......Mar/4.......Apr/4......May/0
Grand Terrace.................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Highland..........................Jan/0......Feb/2......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Loma Linda.....................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/1.......May/0
Mentone..........................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Moreno Valley................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Redlands.........................Jan/6......Feb/6......Mar/5.......Apr/7......May/8
Rialto..............................Jan/0......Feb/0......Mar/0......Apr/0......May/0
Riverside........................Jan/11.....Feb/10.....Mar/16.....Apr/22....May/18
San Bernardino.............Jan/2......Feb/0.......Mar/1.......Apr/0......May/0
Yucaipa/Calimesa........Jan/2......Feb/2........Mar/3......Apr/7.......May/4

Totals in 14 areas..........Jan/24...Feb/22.....Mar/29.....Apr/42....May/30
If you are a seller with a property priced $400,000 or more the competition for buyers is awesome.

Dont Let "June Gloom" Get You Down

June 13, 2011

Here we are - a week and a half into the month of June and as is almost always the case, the coastal fog has moved inland to create our overcast mornings commonly known as "June Gloom". For inland Southern Californians who like bright sunny days, the overcast skies can be a bit of a bummer.

Thinks of the positives. The days are cooler, but not cold. The sun does come out by the time you come home from work. The landscape is brightened by the wonderful purple Jacaranda trees and pink mimosa trees and the blossoms last longer in the cooler weather. If you have time for a day trip, drive on out to Highland Springs Resort and view the beautiful field of lavender. They can equal France's great lavender fields. Next weekend you could even enjoy the third annual lavender festival. These unique festivals put the Inland Empire on the map and certainly take away any feelings of gloom.

These cooler mornings are also great for the folks who walk or run to keep healthy. The fog is a welcome sight for a morning walker.

The cool nights and cool mornings are also positive for one's electric bills. No need to run your air conditioner. Just open up the windows at night and shut them in the morning. The cool air inside and out will remain comfortable most, if not all of the day.

And not least of all - real estate agents and their prospects can view properties in relative comfort when there is no need to cool the car down with blasts from the air conditioner.

Poker Players, Check This Out

June 10, 2011


This Saturday, poker players will have an opportunity to support the Art Institute of California - Inland Empire. At the Millionaire Hangar at San Bernardino International Airport, will be turned into oo7, Casino Royale. The third annual Fashion Empire event includes a student design competition. Ten fashion designers will be showing their fashion creations to be judged. The schedule includes:


6 p.m. VIP check-in and Red Carpet entry


6:30 p.m. General admission


7 p.m. Entertainment


7:30 p.m. Fashion show featuring Michael Costello


7:45 Student competition fashion show


8 p.m. Reception, appetizers and refreshments, casino and charity poker tournament and photo booth sessions.


The Millionaire Hangar is a huge space and can accommodate a large crowd. The price of admission is quite minimal. $5;$10 VIP; $20 Diamond VIP; high school students are free.


For additional information call 909-915-2000 or on the Internet check out www.artinstitutes.edu/inland-empire

Short Sales Today

June 9, 2011


My attention was caught by a headline in the Riverside Press Enterprise on Tuesday, June 7, 2011


It read:"Housing short sales boost fraud risk".


The article suggests that investors are purchasing properties that lenders have agreed to accept less than the amount owed on the mortgage. The article further suggests that these investors then "flip" the property and sell it for more than they paid and that the property was thus purchased fraudulently since the lender ought to have had the benefit of the second valuation. In my limited direst experience with short sales, lenders send appraisers, often more than one, to determine if the price offered by a potential purchaser is acceptable. It can take long periods of time for a lender to make a final decision as to accepting a short sale, hopefully sufficient time to determine a fair market value. According to the article, a "suspicious transaction" is one in which the property is resold less than month after the recording of a short sale - and sold for at least 10% more. A possible reason for the increased value might be that the short sale purchaser went in and rehabbed the property thus making it more appealing to a future buyer. (Many of today's buyers want to buy homes that are ready for immediate occupancy, not needing rehabbing.)


I can not speak to the data cited for the percentage of homes now selling short and the percentage of homes selling as bank-owned, but I ran the numbers as reported in the CRMLS for closed sales in May 2011. In the fourteen communities that I track, the percentage of short sale closed transactions ranged from a low of 18.2% (Mentone) to a high of 39.1% (Colton). For bank-owned closed transactions the percentages ranged from a low of 29.9% (Redlands) to a high of 57.9% (Banning/Beaumont). These percentages are the reverse of those quoted in the Press Enterprise article.


Lenders do seem to be getting a handle on short sale processing and I would hope that suggesting that sales are fraudulent would not have a dampening affect on getting these properties back into producing an income stream for the lenders.

Median Prices - January - May 2011

June 8, 2011


The following median prices are derived from a simple process of dividing the number of sold properties in half and then listing the price of the sale at that halfway point. As usual the data comes from the IMRMLS now called the CRMLS.


Banning/Beaumont......Jan/175,000......Feb/155,000......Mar/155,000


.......................................Apr/155,000......May/148,500


Bloomington.................Jan/165,000......Feb/130,000......Mar/149,000


.......................................Apr/150,000.....May/125,000


Colton............................Jan/93,000.......Feb/122,000......Mar/120,000


.......................................Apr/110,000.....May/117,000


Fontana.........................Jan/196,000.....Feb/195,000......Mar/211,000


.......................................Apr/200,000....May/185,000


Grand Terrace..............Jan/203,000.....Feb/242,000.....Mar/200,000


.......................................Apr/205,000....May/180,000


Highland.......................Jan/162,000.....Feb/180,000......Mar/155,000


......................................Apr/165,000......May/185,000


Loma Linda..................Jan/250,000.....Feb/219,000......Mar/220,000


......................................Apr/200,000.....May/235,000


Mentone.......................Jan/157,000......Feb/80,000........Mar/85,000


......................................Apr/130/155......May/95/130


Moreno Valley.............Jan/155,000.......Feb/154,000......Mar/148,000


.....................................Apr/148,000......May/148,000


Redlands.....................Jan/218,000.......Feb/203,500......Mar/205,000


....................................Apr/202,000......May/220,000


Rialto..........................Jan/160,000.......Feb/165,000......Mar/152,000


....................................Apr/160,000......May/164,000


Riverside.....................Jan/180,000......Feb/195,000.......Mar/187,000


.....................................Apr/189,000.......May/190,000


San Bernardino..........Jan/122,000.......Feb/105,000.......Mar/95,000


....................................Apr/109,000.......May/105,000


Yucaipa/Calimesa.....Jan/210,000.......Feb/190,000.......Mar/181,500


....................................Apr/198,000.......May/180,000


Note that communities with a small volume of sales will have more fluctuating median prices because this method takes noting but the sale at the halfway mark into consideration.

Closed Residential Sales May 2011-2003

June 7, 2011


For those of you who follow the numbers, here are the numbers for the single family residential properties reported sold though the CRMLS.


Banning/Beaumont......2011/121......2010/139......2009/141......2008/95


.......................................2007/56......2006/94.......2005/101......2004/92


.......................................2003/66


Bloomington.................2011/11.........2010/31.......2009/38........2008/12


.......................................2007/8........2006/31.......2005/19........2004/16


.......................................2003/22


Colton............................2011/46......2010/36........2009/65.......2008/19


.......................................2007/25.....2006/41........2005/43.......2004/31


.......................................2003/41


Fontana.........................2010/211.....2010/261......2009/377.....2008/196


.......................................2007/96......2006/240....2005/254.....2004/203


.......................................2003/225


Grand Terrace..............2011/8.........2010/12....... 2009/9.........2008/10


......................................2007/7.........2006/11........2005/9.........2004/5


......................................2003/9


Highland......................2011/54.......2010/51.........2009/55.......2008/46


......................................2007/39......2006/97.......2005/87.......2004/56


......................................2003/79


Loma


Linda............................2011/22.......2010/22.......2009/13.......2008/21


......................................2007/10......2006/21.......2005/20......2004/22


......................................2003/9


Mentone.......................2011/11.......2010/6..........2009/6........2008/6


......................................2007/10.....2006/8.........2005/11.......2004/8


......................................2003/8


Moreno


Valley...........................2011/232....2010/294......2009/402....2008/277


.....................................2007/93.....3006/300.....2005/264.....2004/237


.....................................2003/259


Redlands.....................2011/67......2010/61........2009/53........2008/41


....................................2007/47......2006/75.......2005/79........2004/83


....................................2003/70


Rialto..........................2011/108.....2010/120.....2009/150......2008/83


....................................2007/45......2006/118.....2005/116.......2004/100


....................................2003/116


Riverside....................2011/418.....2010/450.....2009/495......2008/340


...................................2007/231.....2006/431.....2005/464......2004/364


...................................2003/403


San Bernardino.........2011/202.....2010/235.....2009/352......2008/178


...................................2007/106.....2006/265....2005/231.......2004/212


...................................2003/257


Yucaipa/Calimesa....2011/50.......2010/63.......2009/55........2008/44


...................................2007/44......2006/61.......2005/76........2004/70


...................................2003/64


These numbers do see, to reflect the financial downturn in 2007/2008 with fairly significantly reduced volume. For the most part, even during the boom years, the volume remained consistent. Just an observation - in the boom years we did not have a very large inventory of resale properties. In these recession years, we have neither a large inventory nor a large pool of buyers yet the volume is not significantly less.

The Plus Side of Having a Mortgage

June 6, 2011


Here is a quote from an article in the February 14, 2011 issue of Forbes Magazine:"Millions of Americans hate their mortgages these days. To many they represent not only their biggest financial liability but also a once promising investment gone sour." The article continues with six ways to consider the pluses of having a mortgage.


While I am not sure that I totally agree with some of the ways to be positive about a home loan, the fact that it is possible to consider the loan in a positive light is an intriguing thought.


Leverage is one way that a mortgage can allow someone to control an asset. In a rising market, leverage can lead to increasing the amount of money actually invested. The flip side of leverage is that you can also lose all the money that you invested. However, unlike leveraging other investments in a margin account, if the value of the asset decreases, the lender cannot call the loan all due and payable. At least not if you continue to make your payments.


The federal and state governments also help you take some benefit from your home loan in the form of income tax deductions for interest and property taxes.
this deduction may also help to lower your taxable income enough to avoid paying the alternate minimum tax.


If you could afford the payments when you purchased the property, hopefully you can still afford to make them. In the meantime, you can have a place to live and at some time in the future you will see at least some if not all of your initial investment come back.


While it is dismaying to have negative equity, if you hang on long enough the economic cycles will be in your favor.

Cherry Festival Time

June 3, 2011


Washington, D.C. may have its Cherry Blossom Festival, but Beaumont, Cherry Valley, California has its Cherry Festival The city of Beaumont has added music, arts and crafts, as well as games and rides for visitors to enjoy. Most of these attractions will take place at Stewart Park. Admission is $5 and wristbands for rides are $25. Hours today are 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.


Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. there will be a pancake breakfast at the Beaumont Civic Center followed by a Cherry Festival parade at 10:30 a.m.


Cherries will be for sale and you might even have the fun of self-picking them.


There will be bands performing daily.


The Cherry Festival is one of our regions celebrations and is a big draw for fruit lovers. For more information visit the website; http://www.beaumontcherryfestival.org/

Where's the Glut?

June 2, 2011


In at least one of the many articles that were published yesterday and today in the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal, the writer suggested that the housing market would not improve until the "glut" of houses on the market was reduced.


Please check the numbers for the fourteen communities in the Inland Empire that I track. Where's the "glut"? The number of active listings has remained low. One of the most common complaints of current real estate agents is that there are so few houses available to show prospective purchasers.


Added to the low numbers for real sale properties currently on the market is the almost complete lack of new construction of single family residential homes.


I feel certain that the writers who refer to the "glut" of homes must be looking at data from other regions. The numbers that I tract seem to indicate that "glut" is not our problem.


Fear and desire have historically been the emotional drivers for the real estate market. Fear among potential home buyers is continuously being fed by the negative headlines about double dip recessions, large unemployment numbers and shadow inventory which banks will release and "glut" the market.


It may take some amount of courage to buy a home today. However, the courageous may have the last laugh at those who are waiting for the "bottom".

LIsting, Pending, Back-up Numbers for June 1, 2011

June 1, 2011


Here are the numbers for the active listings and the properties that are in escrow either as a pending or a back-up. The ratio number is calculated by adding pending and back-up numbers and then dividing by the total number of active listings.


Banning/Beaumont.......List/548......Pend/232......Back-up/107......Ratio/.619


Bloomngton....................List/66........Pend/58........Back-up/14........Ratio/1.091


Colton.............................List/124.......Pend/97........Back-up/35........Ratio/1.065


Fontana..........................List/764.......Pend/540.....Back-up/212......Ratio/.984


Grand Terrace...............List/35.........Pend/24........Back-up/8..........Ratio/.914


Highland........................List/200......Pend/112.......Back-up/55........Ratio/.835


Loma Linda...................List/47.........Pend/38........Back-up/22........Ratio/1.277


Mentone........................List/37..........Pend/12........Back-up/7..........Ratio/.514


Moreno Valley..............List/780........Pend/526.....Back-up/232......Ratio/.972


Redlands.......................List/276........Pend/98.......Back-up/78........Ratio/.638


Rialto............................List/296........Pend/230.....Back-up/95........Ratio/1.098


Riverside......................List/1402.......Pend/737.....Back-up/355......Ratio/.779


San Bernardino...........List/690.........Pend/431.....Back-up/125......Ratio/.806


Yucaipa/Calimesa.......List/250.........Pend/102....Back-up/74........Ratio/.704


If you were to check the posting of the numbers from previous months, I think you would find that the ratio numbers have been fairly consistent. They do reflect a market that is gradually showing some recovery.