As you can see from the first chart above, Position Realty Market Index, the first time home buyer tax credit created a great deal of demand in the market similar to the real estate boom from 2004 to 2006. Currently the numbers of transactions are slowing down as a result there is an increase in inventory because the number of listings is not being purchased at a fast enough rate but we saw a small increase in the number of transaction in December.
Since January 2013 (12 months ago), the average sold price has increased approximately +19.4% (up from last month), the average days on market have decreased approximately -1.4% (up from last month) and the number of transaction has increased approximately +0.2% (up from last month). The month of November showed signs the average sold price was decreasing but the average sales price increased back up to the October average sold price in the month of December. The current average sold price is approximately $254,000 which is up +5.2% from last month at $241,000. Also, the number of transactions in December is back up to the October figure of 5,800 transactions. Hopefully the average sold price and number of transaction will continue the upward trend throughout 2014.
The volume of REO purchases since January 2013 (12 months ago) has decreased approximately -53.6% and the volume of short sales have decreased approximately -57.1%. The volume of REO purchases are shrinking because the increase in real estate prices are causing consumer to stop letting their homes go into foreclosure and the existing supply of REO properties are getting purchased at a faster rate.
Since January 2013 (12 months ago), the number of homes for sale on the market have increased approximately +19.4%. This increase in the number of listings is caused by investors leaving the market and sellers that purchased during the real estate boom are putting their homes on the market to break-even or sell with a small amount of equity. Real estate prices have reached a point where sellers are listing their homes at a faster rate than buyers are purchasing. This may cause a decrease in real estate prices but hopefully buyers will resume their buying trend now that the holidays are over.
As more and more sellers enter the market and as more of the supply of residential homes increase, real estate prices may start to decrease (more supply and weaker demand causes prices to decrease).Real estate prices are still at an all time low (near 2008 prices), mortgage rates are still at a historical low and the market is improving both in terms of prices and the overall economy. Time to sell is NOW!! Give us a call to discuss your best selling strategy, TODAY!!
