Daily Business Report — March 15, 2010
Median Home Sales Prices on the Rise
The median sales price for single-family homes in San Diego increased 1.6 percent while multiple-family units increased 2.4 percent since January, reports the San Diego Association of Realtors. When comparing median sales price to February 2009, the increase is 10.4 percent for single-family homes and 16.2 for multiple-family units.
Overall, median sales price is up 14 percent compared to February of last year, according to the association. February sales statistics show a 9.6 percent increase in sold listings for detached properties since January, while sales for attached units decreased 3.6 percent. However, compared to February 2009, sales decreased 5 percent for detached and increased 6.6 percent for attached properties.
“February is normally a slower month in the real estate market, so I’m glad to see the increase in sales of single-family homes during this time,” says SDAR President Mark Marquez. “We are confident that sales will increase in the coming months as March, April, and May are considered to be the busy real estate season. Overall, prices in the county are still very affordable, so this is a great time to buy or to start preparing for homeownership.”
Highlights:
Total Sold Listings Comparing February 2010 to January 2010
• Detached: 9.6 percent increase
February = 1,274 — January = 1.162
• Attached: 3.6 percent decrease
February = 708 — January = 735
Total Sold Listings Comparing February 2010 to February 2009
• Detached: 5 percent decrease
February 2010 = 1,274 — February 2009 = 1,343
• Attached: 6.6 percent increase
February 2010 = 708 — February 2009 = 664
Median Sales Price Comparing February 2010 to January 2010
• Detached: 1.6 percent increase
February 2010 = $370,000 — January 2010 = $364,000
• Attached: 2.4 percent increase
February 2010 = $215,000 — January 2010 = $210,000
Median Sales Price Comparing February 2010 to February 2009
• Detached: 10.4 percent increase
February 2010 = $370,000 — February 2009 = $335,000
• Attached: 16.2 percent increase
February 2010 = $215,000 — February 2009 = $185,000
Public Comment on Silver Strand Training Complex EIS Reopened
The Navy has re-opened the public comment period on the Silver Strand Training Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) so that it runs until March 30. The previous comment period ended on March 9. The extension gives citizens and organizations additional time to review the documents and to submit comments. The document can be downloaded online at: silverstrandtrainingcomplexeis.com. All comments must be received by March 30 to be considered in the Final EIS. Written comments may be submitted via the project Website or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest. Attn: Mr. Kent Randall – Silver Strand Training Complex EIS, 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, Fifth Floor, San Diego, CA 92132. The Navy said various improvements are needed at the Silver Strand Training Complex to improve the availability and quality of training and to prepare for future training requirements.
To meet training requirements, the Navy proposes to: continue current training activities; increase training frequency and types of training; conduct existing routine training activities at additional locations within established training areas; introduce new platforms and equipment; and increase access and availability to existing beach and inland training areas.
Port Provides Wi-Fi Service at Cruise Ship Terminal
The Port of San Diego has activated Wi-Fi Internet service within the B Street Pier Cruise Ship terminal to lead cruise ship passengers to local businesses and attractions. The service, called OpenPort, offers users four hours of Wi-Fi access, free of charge at a lower bandwidth. Higher speed access is also available for all-day use at $5 per day. The Wi-Fi landing page site includes information about the most popular San Diego attractions as well as Port tenants within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, such as the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Also available on the site are maps and links to Port tenant dining specials and hotel accommodations via TheBig Bay.com. Visitors can also learn more about the Port of San Diego.
OpenPort allows travelers to gain access to their e-mail, share photos or browse the Internet when embarking or disembarking from cruise ships. Currently, the service is available only within the B Street Cruise Ship terminal but there are plans to expand the service in the near future. The Broadway Cruise Ship Terminal, currently under construction, also will have the service.There also are plans to expand coverage outdoors onto the Embarcadero in front of the cruise terminals. The system was installed at a cost of $10,000.
SBA Signs Alliance With Disabled Veterans Group
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) district office in San Diego has signed an alliance with the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Alliance, pledging to work together to improve business access to technological information through educational opportunities and SBA resources. The agreement was signed by SBA District Director Ruben Garcia and Alliance President Robert Brown. Veterans compose about 17 percent of all small business owners nationwide and veteran-owned firms tend to stay in business longer than non veteran-owned companies, according to SBA’s Office of Advocacy.
Business Datebook
March 17
BREAKFAST MEETING: Influenza experts will discuss lessons learned from the swine flu pandemic at BIOCOM’s monthly breakfast meeting, 7 to 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego. Speakers: Brian Plew, head of public health, Life Technologies; Larry R. Smith, v.p., vaccine research, Vical Inc.; John D. Tamerius, senior v.p., clinical and regulatory affairs, Quidel Corp. For information, call Valerie Sanderson (858) 455-0300, Ext. 112.
MEETING: The March meeting of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) San Diego will feature Jo Dee Jacob presenting “Building and Nurturing a Winning Team.” 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton La Jolla, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla. Jacob is CEO of The San Diego-Imperial Council of Girl Scouts. $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers. For more information, visit nawbo-sd.org.
LUNCHEON: “Retrofitting Buildings Green” is topic for presenters Sarah Friedman, Southern California sustainability director for Jones Lang LaSalle, and Dawn McFadyen, associate partner with Syska Hennessey Group, at Urban Land Institute luncheon. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10300 Campus Point Drive, first floor conference room. Members $20, nonmembers $40. To register, call (800) 321-5011 or visit ulisd.org.
March 18
MEETING: Web content strategist Shelly Bowen, principal of Pybop LLC, will speak on “Virtual Story Telling: How to Grow Your Business with Social Media,” at the meeting of the San Diego Professional Editors Network (SD/PEN), 6:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center, Uptown Shopping Center, Hillcrest. Free and open to nonmembers. For more information, call (619) 281-6951 or visit sdpen.com. $45 for BIOCOM members, $90 for nonmembers.
March 23
LUNCHEON: Asian Business Association holds its March Rice Club Luncheon with guest speaker Ron Roberts, member of the county Board of Supervisors. noon to 1:30 p.m., San Diego Hall of Champions, Balboa park. Cost is $25 for ABA members, $30 for nonmembers, $35 at the door. To reserve, visit abasd.org.
March 24
EMPLOYMENT LAW: Brown Law Group will present an update on 2010 employment law, including latest court decisions, legislative amendments and proposed bills employers must be aware of to properly manage their businesses. 7:45 to 9 a.m., University Club, 750 B St., Downtown San Diego. To reserve space, e-mail Valeina: jack@brownlawgroup.com. Or call (619) 330-1700.
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.
