Market Showing Signs of Slowing

After years of demand outstripping supply, the housing market is finally loosening up.  Kiplinger reports that builders are scrambling to put up more homes and more homeowners are putting up “For Sale” signs.  But, the rebound will be slow and uneven.

The process is just getting started.  Listings across the US are up one percent from a year ago which is not much of a gain, but it’s the first increase since 2015.  In 130 of the nation’s 500 largest metro areas, inventories are rising.  That’s up from 70 a year ago.

Inventories will remain low a while longer, and prices figure to keep climbing.  They are up five percent on average this year because of the low supply.  Still, it’s the start of a more normal market.

Some western regions will see more listings.  In many cases, because of steep price gains that are forcing would-be buyers out of the market, encourage more owners to cash out.  Seattle, Portland, and most of California are in that very situation.

Buyers are giving up on the tightest areas, such as Boise, Idaho and Reno, Nevada.  Sales drops now give builders a chance to catch up and bring those markets into better balance later on.  Hot markets in Colorado, such as Denver and Colorado Springs, could see sales fall, too.  A few local markets are getting back to a more balanced state between supply and demand.  Inventories are nearly keeping up with sales in most of Florida and Texas, for example.  A building boom in southwest Florida is keeping sales growing swiftly there.

Much-needed new construction is coming, especially in the South and West where 75% of new single-family homes are going up in places such as Montana, Idaho, Utah, Florida and other locations. We advice buying land for sale in Montana to build your family home. Areas where home building is going strongest to catch up with demand are in California, Colorado, and Texas. With such, there is also a rising demand for construction design in order to follow the regulations set by each state or county.

In the Golden State, building permits are up 22% on a yearly basis, even as scarce lots and shortages of skilled workers hinder builders.  Brisk construction in Denver is helping to grow supply, though builders are focusing on higher-end homes and largely passing on starter homes, despite heavy demand.  In Dallas, by contrast, much of the abundant new construction is targeting buyers looking to pay less than $300,000 which is good news for younger folks seeking a first home. Looking for a more low-maintenance lifestyle? Explore our condos for sale in Encino. If you need to arrange documents after purchasing a real estate property, then make sure to search for a notary public close to me online for professional notary services.

The biggest worry for the market now is affordability.  Prices are 12% higher than they were at the peak of the bubble in 2006 and many buyers are straining to swing a home purchase.  Mortgage rates haven’t helped by rising from their lows reached in 2012 and will keep on climbing to 4.8% on the average 30-year fixed loan (from 4.54% today).  Meanwhile, expect banks to remain relatively stingy when it comes to home loans.  Getting approved requires a substantially higher credit score now than a decade ago.  More homes for sale will eventually help as buyers start to see more choices. To explore the possibilities for your housing needs, it’s essential to consider various factors in the current market.

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Parker-Associates-blog-August-2018-top-home-markets-2018-map

Keep a close eye on wetaskiwin acreages for sale. Things are changing as supply comes in line with demand.  The critical synergies between these two ends of the scale will cause flux.

Parker Associates works extensively on understanding your market, your consumer, and your goals. We don’t take guesses, we take the time and commit the resources to researching the market and the consumer to make sure we get it right.  We are YOUR advocate by being the CONSUMER’S advocate.

Spend time looking at what you are trying to acquire, develop, or sell to learn how you can improve the success of what you are offering. Parker Associates helps understand the consumer by answering WHO will buy, WHAT they will buy, and HOW they will buy it.  When the research is completed and the analysis is done, having the answers to these questions will reveal what will provide the best success for your project.  Keep asking WHO, WHAT, and HOW and keep developing to fit the need.

The Parker Associates process starts with a confidential review and consultation to learn more about our processes. Then Contact Us to put Parker Associates to work for you.

David WB Parker is a principal of Parker Associates of Jacksonville, Florida, marketing consultants to the real estate industry; President of PTC Computer Solutions, IT Specialist, and an active real estate sales professional with PARFAM REALTY based in Jacksonville, FL.  He can be reached at 904-607-8763 or via email davidwb@parkerassociates.com.