There are any number of reasons people sell their homes.
But when you see one go up for sale almost exactly two years after it was last purchased, you might first guess that the sellers are thinking: Tax-free profit!
Thanks to our tax code, you can reap up to $500k in capital gains (for a couple) on a home sale…
There are any number of reasons people sell their homes.
But when you see one go up for sale almost exactly two years after it was last purchased, you might first guess that the sellers are thinking:
Tax-free profit!Thanks to our tax code, you can reap up to $500k in capital gains (for a couple) on a home sale tax-free. You just have to have made it your primary residence for 2 years.
Today in MB (west of Sepulveda), records indicate these active listings were purchased in late 2004 or in 2005:
- 3009 Highland – paid $1.225m in 7/05, selling for $1.369m
- 737 36th St. – paid $1.230m in 3/05, selling for $1.785m
- 2812 Elm – paid $1.584m in 6/05, selling for $1.769m
- 1800 Laurel – paid $1.6m in 12/04, selling for $2.35m (remodeled)
- 225 1st St. – paid $1.685m in 12/04, now selling for $1.995
- 746 31st – paid $1.7m in 1/05, now selling for $2.399m
- 718 Poinsettia – paid $1.85m in 9/05, selling for $2.199m (w/ plans)
- 601 Larsson – paid $2.0m in 9/05, selling for $2.395m
- 3011 Elm – paid $2.8m in 7/05, selling for $3.095m
Now, let's look at those again based on their markups, in $ and % increase in
(perceived) value since purchase:
- 3009 Highland – $144,000 (12%)
- 737 36th St. – $555,000 (45%)
- 2812 Elm – $185,000 (12%)
- 1800 Laurel – $750,000 (47%)
- 225 1st St. – $310,000 (18%)
- 746 31st – $699,000 (41%)
- 718 Poinsettia – $349,000 (19%)
- 601 Larsson – $395,000 (20%)
- 3011 Elm – $295,000 (11%)
Now, we know not all of these have hit the 2-yr. mark, and they may not all be owner-occupied. Regardless, MBC is interested in these listings because of what they might tell us about market direction.
Same-house sales are among the best indicators over time. Based on these listings, sellers' opinions about the state of our market range quite a bit, from people thinking their homes have appreciated a modest 11-12% in 2 years to others who think they're up 20-40% or more.
Now that the sellers have let us know what they think, as these homes move, we'll see what today's
buyers are saying.
Soon we'll have data from these recent sales with 2005 last-purchased dates:
- 2500 Pacific – paid $1.005m in 8/05, listed at $1.249m in 4/07
- 628 12th – paid $1.775m in 7/05, listed at $1.879m in 5/07
- 228 5th Pl. – paid $1.660m in 8/05, sold for $1.7m in 3/07
All three of the homes above are now in escrow.
5th Place was the only closed sale of the group we're studying, and it's interesting there that the sellers got
just $40k more, 19 months after paying $1.660m. However, that house went right back up for sale and is now pending at $1.769m. (An informant tells us the buyer this March got a job transfer during escrow, and had to sell again.) So we have to wait for the new closed sale price.
We've also seen two sellers with the two-year itch apparently quit:
- 864 12th Ct. – paid $1.469m in 8/05, was listed at $1.549m in 3/07
- 2909 Laurel – paid $2.6m in 9/05, was listed at $2.85m in 4/07
Both of these homes were listed less than 45 days before they vanished. It could be that they got no nibbles and thought they couldn't get more than they paid, but MBC has no real info on these.
For what it's worth, MBC has seen several examples east of Sepulveda, too, but since our focus is on the beach side of Hwy 1, we'll stick to these.
Please see our blog disclaimer.
Listings presented above are supplied via the MLS and are brokered by a variety of agents and firms, not Dave Fratello or Edge Real Estate Agency, unless so stated with the listing. Images and links to properties above lead to a full MLS display of information, including home details, lot size, all photos, and listing broker and agent information and contact information.
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of March 18th, 2024 at 6:15pm PDT. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.