Wow – what an afternoon! Who says the real estate market is “dead”? We did an open house yesterday for our new listing at 1891 Harvest in Camarillo. Yes, it’s a cute 4+2 home in a great area of Mission Oaks, but we were surprised at the turnout, and even more surprised at who was looking for a home to buy.

The first 4 or 5 “looky lou’s” were looking as investors, then no more for the rest of the afternoon (that seemed unique). But that seemed to us that if investors are out there actively looking for value, then: 1) home price points are starting to look attractive to these folks, and 2) they must think prices will some day head back up again (or why would they be buying?).

But the big surprise was that almost all of the remaining 25 or so parties that came were 1) first time buyers and 2) they didn’t fit the stereotype of a first time buyer. They were different age demographics, marital status and so forth. What fun to see excitement at the prospect of a first home!

It was a hot afternoon – temperature wise, but also with the crowds that came through.