Trendgraphix takes the statistics from Sandicor, our multiple listing service, and compiles them into graphs that give a picture of the marketplace.  What is interesting about this particular graph is the discrepancy between the average listing price versus the average sale price.  Notice there tends to be a $250,000 - $300,000 difference between the listing price and the average sale price.  It appears  that downtown San Diego condo buyers are in the lower-priced quadrant.  This can be attributed to affordability.  The lower end of the downtown San Diego condo marketplace is where a buyer can obtain a VA or FHA loan, which equates to low or no-down loan programs.  When rents and mortgage payments get close, most people want to purchase their own place. 

2010 will be an interesting year to follow.  We may start to see if the mid-range priced condos in downtown San Diego will recover.  Recovery generally starts from the bottom up,  so what will be the difference between listing and sale prices in six months? 

This is a series of articles by Sharyn and Victoria Crown, downtown San Diego realtors.