Fla.’s housing market continues positive trends in Oct. 2012

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 19, 2012 – Pending sales, closed sales and median prices rose, while the inventory of homes and condos for sale dropped in Florida’s housing market in October, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

“With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we have a lot to be thankful for here in Florida,” said 2012 Florida Realtors President Summer Greene, regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale. “The state’s latest unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, the lowest in nearly four years – and combined with the momentum of the housing market, it clearly shows that Florida is on a positive path and has been for months. Pending sales, closed sales and prices are trending up.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 17,779 in October, up 25.3 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department and vendor partner 10K Research and Marketing. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed by not yet completed or closed – of existing single-family homes last month rose 56.7 percent over the previous October. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in October was $145,000, up 9 percent from a year ago.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in September 2012 was $184,300, up 11.4 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in September was $345,000; in Massachusetts, it was $294,900; in Maryland, it was $244,357; and in New York, it was $225,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that 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.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhomes-condos, a total of 8,252 units sold statewide last month, up 16.4 percent compared to October 2011. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhome-condos in October increased 47.1 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhome-condo properties was $107,000, up 20.2 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in September 2012 was $181,000.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.2-months’ supply in October; inventory for townhome-condo properties was also at a 5.2-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors. Industry analysts note that a 5.5-months’ supply symbolically represents a market balanced between buyers and sellers.

“Once again, everything that should be going up in the market is going up, and everything that should be going down is going down,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “As impressive as the year-over-year gains for October are, far more impressive are year-to-date gains of 2012 over 2011. They indicate the depth and resilience of this recovery.”

The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.38 percent in October 2012, down from the 4.07 percent averaged during the same month a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac.

To see the full statewide housing activity report, go to Florida Realtors website and click on the Research page; then look under Latest Housing Data, Statewide Residential Activity and get the October report. Or go to Florida Realtors Media Center and download the October 2012 data report PDF under Market Data.

© 2012 Florida Realtors®

SINGLE FAMILY HOME MEDIAN CLOSED PRICE

SINGLE FAMILY HOME MEDIAN CLOSED PRICE 

RISES IN ALL ZIP CODES  

Condo Market Remains Strong 

 ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

Naples, FL (November 16, 2012) - The single family home median closed price rose 10 percent overall with increases in all zip codes for the 12-months ending October 2012. In addition, the condominium median closed price increased 4 percent in all zip codes for the same time period, according to a report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island).  

Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Prudential Florida Realty stated, "The overall Median Closed price of $197,000 is the highest we have seen since July 2009 and in combination with our low inventory, has continued a trend in the Naples area with the move away from a 'buyers' market to a solid 'buyers and sellers' market."

Kathy Zorn, Broker/Owner of Florida Home Realty added, "We continue to see the overall median price trend upward slowly and steadily."

The NABOR® October report provides annual comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an Overall Market summary.  

The NABOR® October sales statistics are presented in chart format, with these overall (single-family and condominium units) specifics:   

- The overall median closed price increased 11 percent from $177,000 at the end of October 2011 to $197,000 for the 12-month period ending October 2012.

- Overall pending sales increased 21 percent in the $500,000 to $1 million category, from 947 units to 1,149 units, for the 12-month period ending October 2012. Overall pending sales increased 17 percent in the $1 million to $2 million category, from 418 units to 490 units, for the 12-month period ending October 2012.

- Overall inventory decreased by 13 percent, from 7,325 listed properties in October 2011 to 6,409 in October 2012. Pending sales with contingent contracts are included in the overall inventory number. 

- The average DOM (Days on the Market) fell in all price segments except in the $0 - $300,000 price zone, resulting in a one percent increase from 169 days on the market in October 2011 to 170 days on the market in October 2012.

- Overall pending sales in the Naples coastal area increased 14 percent from 1,783 units to 2,037 units, and closed sales increased 10 percent, from 1,615 units to 1,776 units, for the 12-month period ending October 2012.

The result of the inventory decline from 12,157 in February 2007 to 6,409 in October 2012 is that buyers, in many cases, are desperate for inventory," said Jo Carter, President of Jo Carter & Associates. Plus, homes are selling more quickly, as shown by the average Days on the Market decreasing in every price category above the $300,000 range. Therefore pricing remains crucial."

To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com

The Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) is an established organization (Chartered in 1949) whose members have a positive and progressive impact on the Naples Community. NABOR® is a local board of REALTORS® and real estate professionals with a legacy of nearly 60 years serving 4,000 plus members. NABOR® is a member of the Florida Realtors and the National Association of REALTORS®, which is the largest association in the United States with more than 1.3 million members and over 1,400 local board of REALTORS® nationwide. NABOR® is structured to provide programs and services to its membership through various committees and the NABOR® Board of Directors, all of whose members are non-paid volunteers.

The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.  

View the October 2012 Statistics