Wednesday, November 25, 2015

5 Key Housing Stats From NAR’s Latest Report

Mortgage rates are still below 4 percent but the low financing rates aren’t luring more buyers this fall. All four major regions of the U.S. saw a decrease in existing-home sales in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest housing report. Regional Snapshot Here are existing-home sales fared in October across the country: 

Existing-home sales – which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops – dropped 3.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.36 million in October. Despite the drop, sales are still nearly 4 percent above a year ago, when sales were at 5.16 million. “New and existing-home supply has struggled to improve so far this fall, leading to few choices for buyers and no easement of the ongoing affordability concerns still prevalent in some markets,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. 

“Furthermore, the mixed signals of slowing economic growth and volatility in the financial markets slightly tempered demand and contributed to the decreasing pace of sales. As long as solid job creation continues, a gradual easing of credit standards even with moderately higher mortgage rates should support steady demand and sales continuing to rise above a year ago.” 

 Here’s a closer look at the numbers behind NAR’s latest housing report for October sales: 

1. Home prices: The median existing-home price for all housing types last month was $219,600, which is 5.8 percent above a year ago. Last month marks the 44th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

2. Housing inventory: Total housing inventory at the end of last month fell 2.3 percent to 2.14 million existing homes for-sale. Inventories are now 4.5 percent lower than a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace.

3. Distressed sales: Foreclosures and short sales dropped to 6 percent in October, the lowest since NAR began tracking such data in 2008. Last year, distressed sales comprised 9 percent of the market share. In October, 5 percent of sales were foreclosures and 1 percent were short sales. Foreclosures sold for an average discount of 18 percent below market value while short sales were discounted on average 8 percent.

4. Days on the market: Properties typically stayed on the market for an average of 57 days in October, a drop from the 63 days in October 2014. One-third of homes sold in October were on the market for less than a month. Short sales were on the market the longest mount of time at a median of 90 days, while foreclosures sold in an average of 67 days and non-distressed homes took 57 days.

5. All-cash transactions: All-cash sales comprised 24 percent of transactions last month, down from 27 percent a year ago. Individual investors, who account for the bulk of cash sales, purchased 13 percent of homes last month, down from 15 percent a year ago. "All-cash and investor sales are still somewhat elevated historically despite the diminishing number of distressed properties," Yun says. 

"With supply already meager at the lower-end of the price range, competition from these buyers only adds to the list of obstacles in the path for first-time buyers trying to reach the market." 

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Real estate brokers expect only a modest holiday slowdown, saying strong economy, low inventory make this year “different”

With holidays approaching, real estate brokers usually expect a slowdown as buyers and sellers shift their attention elsewhere. “This year is different,” say some industry leaders.

Today we have one of the best markets we’ve ever seen for sellers. Buyers are still surging to the market and inventory is low. It’s a very good time to sell. Owners who are eager to make the next move don’t have to wait six months or until spring to act.

Newly released MLS figures for October show pending sales are up 7.8 percent from a year ago, rising from 8,643 transactions to 9,317. Nearly half the counties in its service area reported double-digit gains in the number of mutually accepted offers. For the four-county Puget Sound region encompassing King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, Northwest MLS members tallied 6,977 pending sales, the highest October volume in a decade.

For 19 of the 23 counties in the latest MLS report the number of pending sales surpassed the number of new listings added to inventory. System-wide there were 8,094 new listings that came on the market during October, about the same as 12 months ago when members added 8,102 listings. With those additions (the fewest monthly total since February) inventory at the end of the month stood at 18,068 listings, well below the year-ago total of 23,501 for a 23.1 percent year-over-year drop.

Closed sales rose 7 percent from a year ago, increasing from 7,257 to 7,769. Last month’s total slipped below 8,000 closings for the first time since April, with some brokers citing inadequate inventory as a factor.

Given the severe shortage of homes for sale, I’m not surprised to see that both pending and closed sales slowed down last month. If we just had more homes to sell the number of closed units would have increased even more during October.  Selling more homes at a faster rate than we are replenishing supply shows just how good the local real estate market really is.

The MLS reported 2.33 months of supply area-wide, well below the 4-to-6 months figure many in the industry say indicates a balanced market. The months of supply figure has not been above three months since February when the figure was 3.56.
Both King and Snohomish counties had less than two months of supply. The most acute shortages are in King County with only 1.29 months of supply; Snohomish has 1.91 months of supply.

Based on the gap between supply and demand, this is not sustainable and will create a market condition where buyers will overpay for a home.  Multiple offers are now being seen in outlying areas as buyers look farther out just to find a home that is a perfect fit while sacrificing distance to work and services.  Good schools remain the highest sought-after criteria.

Even with inventory shortages in some areas, strong open house traffic is expected for the coming weekend, thanks to the bye on the Seattle Seahawks schedule, suggested MLS director Frank Wilson. “A weekend without a Hawks game is good news for real estate brokers and sellers who hold open houses on Sundays, commented Wilson.

Open houses for new listings draw decent traffic, Wilson reported, adding. “New listings get picked through pretty quickly, and homes that are correctly priced are selling within days, with multiple offers.”

He also said homes that have been on the market for more than 60 days have little traffic unless they have had a price reduction. “Some sellers are tending to overprice their homes due to all the hype.”

Gain noted the Seattle area’s home price gains are outpacing the nation’s, earning the city No. 1 ranking on a recently released list of the hottest single-family housing markets in the U.S. He credits strong demand, rising prices, low interest rates and the area’s healthy economic conditions as reasons for the strength. “We will experience a hot housing market over the winter months,” who also expects 2016 to be “another fantastic year for sales activity.” Noting home sales activity is historically lower during this time of year, he believes activity this winter will be “red hot” in price ranges where inventory is low. He believes continued low interest rates and job growth will ratchet up demand as spring approaches. Despite general optimism among Northwest MLS leaders, some pullback is anticipated.

Jacobi, who last month commented on the market being on the cusp of a slowdown, faults scarce inventory. “I expect this trend (of slower pending and closed sales) will likely continue through the end of the year due to the lack of available inventory for buyers.” Jacobi also said appreciation may start to slow over the winter months, adding, “but overall the housing market continues to benefit from our thriving local economy.”

Diedre Haines, principal managing broker-South Snohomish County for Coldwell Banker Bain, said they are noticing some slowdown, but “not as much as we’ve seen historically.”

“There remains a lot of frustration with multiple offers and getting transactions to actually make it to closing,” reported Haines, a past chairman of the Northwest MLS board. She attributes failed sales to several factors including low appraisals, financing issues, and an increase in sellers and buyers not being able to come to terms on inspections.

Prices on last month’s closed sales jumped nearly 9.7 percent from a year ago. Area-wide the median price for sales of single family homes and condos that closed during October was $318,000. That compares to a price of $290,000 for the same month a year ago.

For single family homes (excluding condos), year-over-year prices increased nearly 8.4 percent, rising from $299,950 to $325,000. In King County, the median price for a single family home was $480,000, rising 7.3 percent from the year-ago figure of $447,250, but dropping from September’s median price of $490,250.
“Appreciation for most of Snohomish County has continued, but not exorbitantly,” noted Haines. Prices in that county are up more than 5.8 percent from a year ago. “Modest gains in value are in reality much better for the market than the rapid gains we’ve seen in the past. For us, this means no sign of a growing bubble.”

The MLS reported strong sales in the condo segment, with both the volume and prices rising by double digits. Area-wide, closed sales rose 13.2 percent, from 990 units to 1,121. Prices surged 16.2 percent, jumping from $228,500 a year ago to last month’s median price of $265,500.

Condo inventory is also depleted with the number of active listings down nearly 26 percent from a year ago. MLS figures show only about 1.6 months of inventory area-wide; in King County there is less than 1.2 months of supply.

Looking ahead, Gain and many of his colleagues expect the area’s housing market will continue on a “gradual upward trend” into 2016. “As rents continue to rise, it makes buying a home more affordable than renting in many cases. It also insures that the monthly payment will remain the same as rents continue to escalate,” he stated, adding “Buying a home today is simply a smart decision for most who have the ability and resources to do so.”

Wilson said low inventory in areas like Kitsap County where his office is based will pose challenges. Inventory in that county is down nearly 30 percent from a year ago, while prices climbed more than 5.7 percent. “Some buyers are feeling beat up having to put in multiple offers or offer more than they are comfortable with,” he reported. Nevertheless, “buyers realize as we move into 2016 both prices and interest rates are likely to move upward,” he noted, adding, “We are anticipating a difficult spring market. The numbers are lining up for double-digit price increases in the first half of 2016.”


Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 23,000 real estate brokers. The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., currently serves 23 counties in Washington state.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Know Before You Owe

Know Before You Owe

Consumers will face less stress when applying for most mortgages after October 3, when our new disclosure rule takes effect. The new rule and disclosures ease the process of taking out a mortgage, help you save money, and ensure you know before you owe.
Learn more about our Know Before You Owe mortgage initiative.

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/