May 11, 2001
La Jolla, CA.—Home sales in the mid- and entry-level categories have picked up a lot of
dropped activity from the move-up and prestige categories during the past
few weeks. Sales counts overall are off by 5-7 percent compared to a year
ago, appreciation rates are still strong and most markets can expect to see
new price peaks in April and May.
Haves and have-nots: The 1990s widening gap in appreciation rates between
entry-level and move-up markets is leveling off and may even be reversing.
Entry-level homes increased in value at a 5% annual rate from 1996 to 2000,
while move-up homes increased at roughly twice that rate. The gap has
narrowed during the last half year and March numbers indicate that the
appreciation rate for smaller homes exceeded the rate for larger homes. More
next week.
Source: DataQuick Information Systems
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