Beyond hard statistics like time on the market, inventory levels, and properties under agreement, which are all improving, there is another, subtle sign that the market is improving-the high-end is heating up. In the last two weeks, there have been two high-end sales, 18 Rabbit Run Road for $7,000,000 and 59 Shawkemo Road for $7,747,500, and two high-end properties went under contract, 4 Salt Marsh Road, listed at $6,500,000, and 183 Polpis Road, listed at $9,850,000. This may not seem like much of a sign, but the high-end has led the market out of the bust cycle many times before. Think of successful fund managers; other managers mimic the successful managers’ moves because the successful managers are successful for a reason-they make smart investments. Buyers who can afford high-end properties typically can afford them for a reason-they make smart investments. Does anyone remember what happened when Lou Gerstner bought 10 and 17 Berkeley Avenue in 2003?!
