A home zoned for PAUSD is a defensive asset with a history of strong, long-term appreciation. The persistent and high-stakes demand for elite education creates a floor for property values that is remarkably resilient to broader market volatility. Research confirms that properties in top-rated school districts tend to retain their value better and depreciate less during economic downturns.
The Palo Alto market reflects this stability. The effective annual appreciation in median price per square foot has been 5.0% over the last five years and 3.4% over the last ten. The market remains highly competitive, with homes selling in an average of just 11 days, often for significantly more than the list price—the average sale-to-list ratio was recently 106.1%. This inelastic demand makes a PAUSD-zoned home a "flight to quality" asset, protecting capital and ensuring its value as a long-term investment.
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