Hollister benefits from Bay Area’s hot housing market

The Bay Area continues to rank number one in hottest housing markets. We’ve seen home buyers priced out and move south towards the Central Coast, including San Benito County.

“You can still drive downtown and see folks that you know,” said Christine Fortney, board president of the San Benito County Association of Realtors. “And I love that we still have downtown market, we still have a good old fashion fair, there is a lot of offer here.”

That includes affordable housing, which is appealing to potential home buyers who work in the Bay Area. Many are finding themselves priced out of South Santa Clara County altogether. But, they can find the American Dream affordable in San Benito County.

According to Trulia, the median home price in San Francisco is over $1 million. In Hollister, it’s more than half that at $450,000.

Because of Hollister’s location, it’s within an hour of some key destinations.

“I can be in Santa Cruz in 45 minutes and Monterey in 45 minutes and San Jose in 45 minutes,” Fortney said.

The city has taken notice also, and has been trying to lure more tech companies to relocate.

Fortney also says, it’s not just a buyer’s market, sellers can benefit also.

“Since the crash in 2007,” Fortney explained, “People are able to sell with equity in their home. They’re getting to that point again so they are able to sell, which is a good thing.”