Saturday, December 11, 2010

Weekly Sales (11/28 - 12/4/10)

The weekly sales report is nearing its year end, and we have some good news coming out of the slow holiday week. Remember, the weekly sales report details the number of weekly sales along with where those sales took place and for how much they sold.

For the week of November 28th through December 4th, there were 38 residential sales in Leon County. That figure represents a big jump from last week and an increase in sales of over 30% from the weekly numbers we've been seeing throughout the 4th quarter. I hope to see these numbers continue to pick up. This year we've been selling about 40 properties per week on average, and we'll need to match that average in 2011 to keep the market from sliding any further.

Of the 38 sales, only 5 were sold under $100,000. A surprising 16 properties sold over $200,000 with 8 of those 16 selling over $300,000. Though the higher end market (in Tallahassee, that's basically over $250,000) has been slow for some time, it seems that the affluent buyers are seeing real value now and deciding to purchase.

This week, an incredible 63% of the sales (24) took place in the Northeast; 7 properties sold in the Northwest along with 7 in the Southeast, but no houses sold in the Southwest last week.

The average and median sales prices for the week were up big with the average price topping $200,000 for the first time in recent memory at $204,812 and the median price coming in at $174,250. Let's hope this keeps up!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Weekly Sales (11/21 - 11/27/10)

Welcome to the after Thanksgiving version of the weekly sales report. As always, this report will detail the total number of sales during the past week along with the prices and locations of those sales. Like most of us during Thanksgiving week, sales were sluggish.

For the week of November 21th through the 27th, there were a mere 18 residential sales in Leon County. That number is almost half of the prior week's sales (35), but most of that can be attributed to a week with only three working days. Averaged over a full week, we were extrapolated to have 30 sales and that would be consistent with our 4th Quarter weekly average in the mid-20s.

Of the 18 sales, almost half of those (8) sold under $100,000. Investment activity continues and there are a lot of good investment deals out there. Call me for advice and perspective on buying investment property (850-251-6643). 6 of the 18 sales were over $200,000 with only one of those being over $300,000.

Sales in the Northeast were not as strong last week as in weeks prior. 8 of the 18 sales last week were in the Northeast. Six sales took place in the Northwest; four properties sold in the Southeast; zero homes sold in the Southwest.

MY ADVICE: If you can afford it (and now-a-days, almost every can), I recommend buying in the Northeast. If you want to buy in the NW, SE, or SW, I would encourage you to wait another few months as prices continue to decline. Sell in these quadrants as fast as you can. Again, look to buy in the Northeast.

The average and median sales prices took a nosedive this week. Average price was $144,361 while the median price was very modest $138,500. Now is a great time to buy!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Should You Stop Paying?

In a previous blog, I cited a statistic that almost 1/3 of all foreclosures are "strategic defaults", that is, situations where a homeowner has the means to continue paying on his mortgage but decides to default instead because of a negative equity position.

In that blog, I said that Americans need to buckle down and honor the promises to repay that we made when we purchased our homes. To read an interesting counter-argument to mine, click HERE.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Weekly Sales (11/14 - 11/20/10)

Here is the second Thanksgiving helping of the weekly sales report. As always, this report will detail the total number of sales during the past week along with the prices and locations of those sales.

For the week of November 14th through the 20th, there were 35 residential sales in Leon County. This is a slight uptick from previous week (actually a 25% increase) but not a marked departure from our established pattern of sales in the mid-20s per week.

Of the 35 sales, over 25% of those (9) sold under $100,000. One of these purchases was a property that I bought personally for $13,500. I have reported on increased investor activity for several weeks, and I have put "my money where my mouth is". There are a lot of good investment deals out there. Call me for advice and perspective on buying investment property (850-251-6643). 12 of the 35 sales were over $200,000 with 7 of those 12 being over $300,000.

Sales in the Northeast were even stronger this week than in weeks prior. 60% (21) of the 35 sales last week were in the Northeast. Seven sales took place in the Northwest; three properties sold in the Southeast; four homes sold in the Southwest.

MY ADVICE: With increased sales percentage in the Northeast there is continued downward pressure on prices in the other three quadrants. If you want to buy in the NW, SE, or SW, I would encourage you to wait another few months as prices continue to decline. Sell in these quadrants as fast as you can. Look to buy in the Northeast.

The average sales price this week was $187,517 and the median sales price was $167,765 (slightly higher than the yearly average). Median sold price per square foot was $113.56. Expect that number to be significantly lower in future weeks.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Weekly Sales (11/7 - 11/13/10)

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! Today I'm sure that everyone is getting extra helpings of food, so we'll get a double dose of real estate sales as well. I am going to post last week's figures and this week's figures today.

There were 28 residential sales in Leon County the week of the 7th through the 13th. This figure is in line with our previous few week's of activity and is consistent with the time of year.

Of the 28 sales, 6 of those were under $100,000. This is evidence of investor activity continuing and the increased affordability that has allowed more and more lower income buyers to purchase a home. Adding more buyers increases demand and that is good for the market. 11 sales were over $200,000 and 4 of those 11 were over $300,000.

Almost half (13) of the 28 sales were in the Northeast. Nine sales took place in the Northwest. There were only two sales in the Southeast while there were four sales in the Southwest.

MY ADVICE: UNCHANGED - If you are looking to buy, then buy in the Northeast or in an established Northwest subdivision. If you are looking to sell, make sure that your home is in pristine condition and priced below the median price per square foot in your neighborhood.

This week's average ($193,687) and median price ($160,000) were similar to last week and stand above the yearly figures of $190,180 and $162,500, respectively.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Weekly Sales (10/31 - 11/6/10)

A new month, Daylight Saving Time, and now the 9th installment of our weekly sales report. Amid all the change, I'm still reporting on the total number of sales, the location of those sales, and the price ranges of those sales. Be sure to read through the entire blog, as I've started including a "My Advice" section at the bottom. Thanks for reading!

During the week of October 31st through November 6th, twenty-two (22) homes sold in Leon County. That figure represents roughly a 60% drop from the number of sales from last week but returns to the pattern of weekly sales in the mid-20s. I still think that, despite last week's aberration, we will see weekly sales hover in the twenties through next Spring.

Of the 22 sales, twenty-two percent (5 houses) were under $100,000; this is a sign of investor activity increasing. Seven of the 22 sales were over $200,000 and 3 of the 7 sold for more than $300,000. The median sales price per square foot this week was $84.91 (almost a $17 per square foot drop from last week - a sign of volatility in the market).

By quadrant, 12 sales (54%) were in the Northeast, 5 were in the Northwest, 4 were in the Southeast, and just one property sold in the Southwest. The northern half of town is still seeing the majority of sales, and the Northeast continues to dominate the market.

MY ADVICE: UNCHANGED - If you are looking to buy, then buy in the Northeast or in an established Northwest subdivision. If you are looking to sell, make sure that your home is in pristine condition and priced below the median price per square foot in your neighborhood.

This week's average ($191,328) and median price ($169,950) were similar to last week and stand above the yearly figures of $190,180 and $162,500, respectively.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Depression-Era Depreciation Nears

Nearly one-quarter, or 23.2 percent of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage, were underwater on the loan in the third quarter, meaning they owe more on the home than it is worth, according to figures released Wednesday by the real estate data provider Zillow.



The third-quarter underwater number rose from 22.5% in the second quarter and is the highest it’s been since Zillow began tracking negative equity in 2009. The subtle hints of stabilization in home values that started emerging earlier in the year began to wane last quarter.

Zillow’s home value index recorded a 4.3 percent year-over-year decline in Q3 and was down 1.2 percent from the second quarter. The Seattle-based company says its index reading has fallen for 17 consecutive quarters now. The company’s market data shows the median home value nationwide has dropped to $179,900.

With home values nationally 25% below their June 2006 peak, the current housing downturn is approaching Great Depression-era declines, when home values fell 25.9 percent in five years (between 1929 and 1933).

Source: DSNews