July 2010 Pinellas County real estate stats

July 2010 Market Stats Click Here

Some interesting things to notice here with the housing stats, the number of available single family homes in Pinellas County is up for the 1st time based on a year over year comparison since 2007. July 2009 active listings in Pinellas County were 6,525, July 2010 6,675 that’s a +2% increase. Sales were also down by -23% from July 2009. This I fell is due to the huge number of sales over the last 4 month where sold homes were up from 2009 number ranging from +7.5% to +31.5% this was due to the tax credit.

If you have any questions about the real estate market in your neighborhood in Pinellas County call us!

The tax credit expired, but it’s still a great time to buy a home thanks to low mortgage rates and motivated sellers. Here are five reasons why now is a great time to buy:

1. Low mortgage rates serve as an equity shock absorber. When buyers borrow at today’s record-low rates, they start building equity as soon as they close. That means they can absorb a few ups and downs as the still-recovering housing market gains traction.

2. Houses are in move-in condition. Homeowners continue to spend on maintenance and repair, according to the Harvard Joint Center on Housing. As these houses enter the market, they stand in marked contrast to tattered foreclosures.

3. Terrific houses are coming on the market. Foreclosures are finally starting to clear the system, and they are being replaced by some very attractive properties.

4. Appraisal regulations are finally aligned with market realities. Fannie Mae has adjusted its appraisal guidelines, giving appraisers more flexibility to set values that reflect the current market.

5. Plenty of programs. Many programs that encourage middle-class families to buy homes still exist, despite market downturns. Buyers who qualify can get a big boost by combining one of these programs with today’s low mortgage rates.

Source: ForSaleByOwner.com (07/29/2010)

June 2010 Real estate MLS stats, there are some very good signs here.. Download the PDF file below.

MLS Stats for June 2010 “Click to download”

If you are considering buying or selling a home and would like additional info or a market study done on your property please call us, we are happy to help.

Check out this market update including data of active, sold and pending home sales in the downtown St. Pete Pinellas County area.

May 24, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 27 percent in April, which means that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison for 20 months, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Another positive sign: Last month’s statewide existing-home median price of $140,100 was 1 percent higher than the statewide median price in April 2009.

Existing home sales rose 27 percent last month with a total of 16,781 homes sold statewide compared to 13,244 homes sold in April 2009, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased nearly 3 percent over statewide sales activity in March. Meanwhile, April’s statewide existing-home median price was 2.3 percent higher than March’s statewide existing-home median price of $137,000. It marks the second month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month’s median.

“Buyers responding to the federal homebuyer tax credit before it expired helped to boost home sales across Florida,” said 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. “And buying conditions remain favorable, with a variety of housing options available in local markets at attractive and affordable prices. Plus, current mortgage interest rates are at historically low levels, which gives buyers more ‘bang’ for their buck.”

Florida Realtors also reported a 55 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in April compared to the previous year’s sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 2 percent over the total units sold in March. Though April’s statewide existing-condo median price of $103,600 was down 3 percent compared to the year-ago figure, it was 6.9 percent higher than March’s statewide existing-condo median price.

Seventeen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales in April while all but one MSA had higher condo sales. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for 22 consecutive months.

Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $140,100; a year ago, it was $138,100 for a 1 percent gain. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in March 2010 was $170,700, up 0.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). In California, the statewide median resales price was $301,790in March; in Massachusetts, it was $280,000; in Maryland, it was $235,785; and in New York, it was $209,900.

According to NAR’s latest outlook, two trends are influencing a broader stabilization of home prices in housing markets across the nation: months of increased sales activity and lower levels of inventory. “Foreclosures have been feeding into the inventory pipeline at a fairly steady pace and are being absorbed manageably,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “With home values stabilizing, a revival in homebuying confidence will likely help the housing market get back on its feet even as the tax credit impact disappears.”

In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 7,291 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,703 units in April 2009 for an increase of 55 percent. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $103,600; in April 2009 it was $107,200 for a 3 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $170,600 in March, according to NAR.

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.10 percent in April, up from the average rate of 4.81 percent during the same month a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac. Florida Realtors’ sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Among the state’s smaller markets, the Panama City MSA reported a total of 128 homes sold in April compared to 108 homes a year earlier for a 19 percent increase. The market’s existing home median sales price last month was $160,000; a year earlier it was $156,800 for an increase of 2 percent. A total of 65 condos sold in the MSA in April compared to 53 units sold the same month a year earlier for an increase of 23 percent. The existing condo median price last month was $187,100; a year earlier, it was $172,900 for an 8 percent gain.

© 2010 Florida Realtors®

Salesof existing single-family homes in Florida rose 24 percent in first quarter 2010 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 38,846 existing homes sold statewide in 1Q 2010; during the same period the year before, a total of 31,410 existing homes sold. It marks the seventh consecutive quarter that Florida has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales, according to the state association.

Statewide sales of existing condominiums in the first quarter rose 67 percent compared to the same time the previous year. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter for increased statewide sales in both the existing home and condo markets compared to year-ago levels.

“The first quarter data release from the Florida Realtors paints a picture of a housing market continuing down the long road to recovery,” said Dr. Sean Snaith, director for the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness. “Transactions in the single family market have extended quarterly year-over-year gains for nearly two years, and condo sales have also risen sharply. Median prices in most areas of the state continue to fall; however, the rate at which they are falling has diminished significantly and this is indicative of a bottom approaching.

“How long prices stay at the bottom and when price appreciation will reappear will depend in a large part on the improving fundamentals in the economy and credit markets.”

The University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies’ latest quarterly survey of real estate trends also notes positive signs of recovery in the state’s real estate industry. The survey polls market research economists, industry executives, real estate scholars and other experts.

“Results indicate that the real estate market in Florida has hit bottom and is in the process of stabilizing across most property types,” said Timothy Becker, the center’s director. Private capital – both foreign and domestic – continues to enter the state in search of quality investment deals, he added.

Seventeen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased sales of existing homes in 1Q 2010 compared to the same three-month-period a year earlier, while all of the MSAs showed gains in condo sales.

The statewide existing-home median sales price was $133,800 in 1Q 2010; a year earlier, it was $140,900 for a decrease of 5 percent. According to industry analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

Inthe year-to-year quarterly comparison for condo sales, 16,897 units sold statewide for the quarter compared to 10,131 in 1Q 2009 for a 67 percent increase. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $95,800 for the three-month period; in 1Q 2009, it was $110,000 for a decrease of 13 percent.

Low mortgage rates remain another favorable influence on the housing sector. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5 percent in 1Q 2010; one year earlier, it averaged 5.06 percent.

If you have been waiting for a clear signal that the real estate market is recovering than look no further, home sales were up +9% in the West and +7% in the south. In most major markets including Tampa Bay we have see a large jump in home sales in the 1st qtr of 2010 over the 1st qtr of 2009

Builders are also starting to feel inventory move and new housing starts were up 1.6% for March 2010. This references the number of permits pulled to build new homes. These homes will be available in 6 months.

Consumer confidence was up by 6 point over just last month, inventory levels are down to the point where we have a 6 month supply of single family homes in Pinellas County, we have not see this level of inventory since 2006. This is just where we need to be, not a buyers market not a sellers market. From this point we should start to see more communities/neighborhoods showing price increases. However, there are still a huge number of foreclosure and short sale listings on the market which could slow this down.

Banks are getting faster at approving short sales so don’t shy away from them.

Wan to know what your home is worth today? Call us!

While many home-buying hopefuls are racing to the bank to close their deals before the $8,000 tax credit disappears, not every potential home-buyer thinks the best deals are out there yet.

But the money one might save by looking for a better home price could pale in comparison to the huge cost of waiting if the mortgage market doesn’t hold steady, and most mortgage brokers & banks expect a rise in rates later this year.

“Rates are almost at an all-time low,” said John Fenech at Sunbelt Lending with Coldwell Banker in St. Petersburg. “We’re still at about 5% for a 30-year-fixed loan (for someone with good credit and a good job).”

John says even a 0.5% change in interest rates means a $56/mo. difference for someone looking at a $180,000 30-year fixed-rate home loan. That translates to $672 a year. And $20,160 over the course of a 30-year loan.

Click here to get approved on line

With inventory shrinking and supply at the 6 month mark a place we haven’t see in Pinellas County in 4 years buyer are starting to feel pressure they haven’t experienced in years. This translates to good news for sellers, and after the losses they have seen in the past 3 years it’s the light at the end of the tunnel for many.

If you were looking for a sign that right now maybe the best time to buy, “it is”. Here is your sign! Don’t put off buying the home a home.

Don’t forget to check out “Search the MLS” or the list of “Bank Owned Homes”

A very hot March
(MLS stats Click Here .pdf)

Absorption Rate: With falling inventory and the trend for increased sales, the absorption rate continued to rise to 11.5 percent for single-family and 9.5 percent for condos. Currently the months’ supply of inventory is 5.5 single-family and 7.6 condo.

Inventory: The number of listings on the market continues to drop on a year-over-year basis. After a slight increase in listings earlier this year, listings dropped again in March. They were down nearly 16 percent for single-family and over 17 percent for condos since March 2009.

Units Sold: The biggest gain took place in sales. Single-family unit sales were up dramatically at nearly 27 percent over March 2009. Condo unit sales increased a whopping 58.5 percent over last year. That’s a pretty torrid pace considering how difficult the condo market has been for the past three years.

Median Price: The median sales price for single-family homes was barely below the March 2009 level, with a 1.1 percent decline. The condo median price fell 12 percent from last year.

Contracts Pending: With single family pending contracts up 60 percent and condo pending contracts up 32 percent from last year, there is great promise of a couple more good months ahead.

Most of the single-family home sales were in the $100,000 to $200,000 range at 37.4 percent and the second highest grouping was in the below $100,000 range at 33 percent. In the higher ranges, 24.7 percent sold in the $200,000 to $400,000 category while 4.7 percent were sold at more than $400,000. Around 1 percent were sold for $1 million or more.

Condo sales were brisk in the below $100,000 range at 46.7 percent. It is interesting to see 12.1 percent selling in the over-$400,000 category, with a surprising 3.1 percent sold at more than $1 million. Are we seeing recovery in the luxury market? The $100,000 to $200,000 range pulled in 26 percent of the sales, while 15.3 percent were in the $200,000 to 400,000 segment.

Pinellas County looks attractive again!

Don’t miss out on this GREAT TIME to buy or you could be sorry!