Single Family Home Inventory Rises

 www.ScottSorensonRealEstate.com

Naples, Fla. (November 20, 2015) - Inventory rose 4 percent in the single-family home resale market during October according to the October 2015 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). This rise in single-family home inventory is needed to meet seasonal demand. Broker analysts reviewing the report said it displayed familiar trends that - historically speaking - will set the stage for what is expected to be a busy winter season in real estate.

"The single-family home market is continuing its pattern of stabilization," said Cindy Carroll, SRA, with the real estate appraisal and consultancy firm Carroll & Carroll, Inc. "Except for Central Naples - where the single family home inventory decreased 17 percent - inventories in all other geographic areas rose, some dramatically."

Unlike the condominium market inventory, which dropped 7 percent, inventory in the single-family home market increased 4 percent overall in October from 2,128 single-family homes in October 2014 to 2,210 single-family homes in October 2015. In North Naples the the single-family home inventory rose 14 percent from 571 single-family homes in October 2014 to 650 single-family homes in October 2015. Single-family home inventory in the $500,000 to $1 million price segment rose 20 percent from 531 single-family homes in October 2014 to 637 single-family homes in October 2015.

John Steinwand, Broker and Principal at Naples Realty Services, Inc., said the report also showed a remarkable upswing in activity in the Immokalee/Ave Maria area. "Overall inventory in this area increased the highest percentage in this area compared to the other geographic areas we track. Single-family home inventory in the Immokalee/Ave Maria area rose 24 percent from 17 single-family homes in October 2014 to 21 single-family homes in October 2015. Despite the increase in inventory, this geographic area also had the highest increase in single-family home median closed price, going up 46 percent from a median closed price of $151,000 in the 12-months ending October 2014 to $220,000 in the 12-months ending October 2015."

"We are starting to see trends in the report that don't reflect the typical supply and demand scenario," said Carroll. "For example, the median closed price of single-family homes in the $2 million and above price segment rose 15 percent in the 12-months ending October 2015, yet the inventory in that same price segment rose 17 percent in the same time period, demonstrating an unexpected statistic."

To clarify, the term "median closed price" reflects a calculation wherein exactly half of the homes sold were above the median closed price and exactly half were below it. It does not reflect the average price of homes for sale.

Carroll, a 30-year Naples appraisal veteran, pointed out that supply and demand in the Coquina Sands, Moorings, and Park Shore neighborhoods is nearly balanced if you include new construction; while the same market sector including new construction in Old Naples is oversupplied, according to her data.

A balanced market occurs when there is between five to seven months of inventory. A seller's market occurs when there is less than five months of inventory. A buyer's market occurs when there is more than seven months of inventory.

Remarking on Carroll's insight, Rick Fioretti, NABOR® President Elect and Broker Associate with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Realty, said, "Buyers really need to listen closely to advice from their REALTOR® because REALTORS® know how to interpret this Market Report properly. For example, just because there was a 14 percent increase in overall median closed price in October doesn't mean every home's price increased 14 percent. The reality is that the median closed prices for most of the market [homes between $300,000 and $2 million] stayed about the same. With that said, the median closed price in the $300,000 and below price segment rose 11 percent and the median closed price in the $2 million and above price segment rose 14%. And while the overall inventory decreased 1 percent, every geographic area we track - with the exception of Central Naples - saw an increase in single-family home inventory from 9 percent to 21 percent in October 2015 compared to October 2014."

The NABOR® October 2015 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® October 2015 sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings: 

• Overall pending sales decreased 11 percent from 911 homes in October 2014 to 807 homes in October 2015.
• Overall closed sales increased 1 percent from 9,746 homes in the 12-months ending October 2014 to 9,828 in the 12-months ending October 2015.
• Overall median closed price increased 14 percent from $265,000 in the 12-months ending October 2014 to $302,000 in the 12-months ending October 2015.
• Overall median closed price for homes over $300,000 decreased 4 percent from $542,000 in the 12-months ending October 2014 to $520,000 in the 12-months ending October 2015.
• Overall inventory decreased 1 percent from 3,939 in October 2014 to 3,903 in October 2015.
• Single-family home inventory increased 4 percent from 2,128 single-family homes in October 2014 to 2,210 single-family homes in October 2015.
• Condominium inventory decreased 7 percent from 1,811 condominiums in October 2014 to 1,693 condominiums in October 2015.
• There is a 4.63 months supply of inventory.
• Average days on market increased 3 percent from 71 days in October 2014 to 73 days in October 2015.

A buyer interested in purchasing a single-family home near the beach will experience some challenges in the coming months, as pointed out by Coco Waldenmayer, a managing broker at John R. Wood Properties, who said, "Anyone looking for a single-family home under $2 million in the Naples Beach area will find most of the remaining properties are ready for tear down. However, there are condominiums available west of 41 in a broad range of prices."

Navigating through the complex Naples real estate market can be challenging. Buyers and sellers can benefit from the guidance of a local REALTOR® who is familiar with the current market. To ensure your next sale or purchase in the Naples area is a success, contact a REALTOR® on Naplesarea.com to guide you through your real estate transaction.

 

View October 2015 Market Statistics

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

Inland Home Sales Activity Outpaced Shoreline During Third Quarter

www.ScottSorensonRealEstate.com   Naples, Fla. (October 23, 2015) - Broker analysts were pleased when they reviewed the Third Quarter Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). The report showed positive trends during the summer months of 2015, with increased activity in neighborhoods located inland (east of 41) including South, East and Central Naples. Overall closed sales for single-family homes in the $1-million to $2-million price category outpaced all other price categories with a 79 percent increase (quarter over quarter) from 56 single-family homes sold in the Third Quarter of 2014 to 100 sold in the Third Quarter of 2015.   "The third quarter report confirmed to us that summer was strong for home sales," said Mike Hughes, NABOR® president, Vice President and General Manager of Downing-Frye Realty, referring to double-digit increases in closed sales for homes priced above $300,000. "I'm especially impressed at how well the high-end single-family home market did in the past three months because we typically see more people buy in this range between Christmas and Easter."   Geographically, activity was most remarkable during the Third Quarter in inland neighborhoods of Naples with activity in the South Naples condominium market leading the pack. According to a quarterly comparison of the Third Quarter of 2014 versus the Third Quarter of 2015, South Naples saw an 8 percent increase in pending sales for condominiums, a 9 percent increase in closed sales for condominiums, and a 24 percent increase in median closed price for condominiums.   Broker analysts agreed that a renewed interest in homes located east of U.S. 41 was not a surprise. "Sales of homes near the beach happened faster following the recession because of their prime location," said Pat Pitocchi, NABOR® media relations chairperson and corporate trainer at Downing-Frye Realty. "But the latest reports show us the housing market in all geographic areas within Naples has recovered as buyers are showing increased interest in our inland properties."   Bill Coffey, Broker Manager of Amerivest Realty Naples, agreed with Pitocchi, noting that the reports also showed a strong trend in how people are purchasing homes, cash versus financing. "There was an 11 percent decrease in cash sales from 66.8 percent in September 2014 to 55.6 percent in September 2015," said Coffey. "When the number of homes being financed continues to increase through the summer months, it's a good indicator that more full-time families are being attracted to the area."   Other inland areas that saw heightened activity during the Third Quarter were Central and East Naples. Of note, Central Naples (which includes neighborhoods between U.S. 41 and Collier Boulevard) saw a 24 percent increase (quarter over quarter) in overall median closed price from $185,000 in the Third Quarter of 2014 to $230,000 in the Third Quarter of 2015, and single-family homes in East Naples (identified as homes located east of Collier Boulevard) experienced a 29 percent increase in median closed price from $221,000 in the Third Quarter of 2014 to $285,000 in the Third Quarter of 2015.   NABOR also released its September 2015 Market Report which showed a 10 percent decrease in pending sales (homes under contract) from 829 homes pending in September 2014 to 749 in September 2015. According to Hughes, the dip in September's pending sales may have been tied to the stock market's erratic behavior, which tends to shake consumer confidence and cause people to delay big purchase decisions.   The Third Quarter and September 2015 Market Reports also uncovered a possible new trend in inventory as the number of homes for sale in the $300,000 and below price range was no longer the largest category of inventory as in the past. As pointed out by Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, "Out of the 945 homes for sale under $300,000, only 291 are single-family homes. However, there are 505 single-family homes for sale in the $300,000 to $500,000 price category, and 598 single-family homes for sale in the $500,000 to $1 million price category. Due to the increase in home values, many homes previously listed in the lower price categories have crept up to the next higher price category, which is referred to as bracket creep."   The NABOR® Third Quarter 2015 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® Third Quarter 2015 sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:  Overall pending sales decreased 1 percent from 2,304 homes in the Third Quarter of 2014 to 2,270 homes in the Third Quarter of 2015. Overall closed sales increased 3 percent from 9,658 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2014 to 9,956 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2015. Overall median closed price increased 15 percent from $262,000 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2014 to $300,000 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2015. Overall median closed price for homes over $300,000 decreased 5 percent from $545,000 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2014 to $520,000 in the 12-months ending the Third Quarter of 2015. Overall inventory decreased 3 percent from 3,702 in the Third Quarter of 2014 to 3,606 in the Third Quarter of 2015. There is a 4.24 months supply of inventory. Average days on market decreased 1 percent from 77 days in the Third Quarter of 2014 to 78 days in the Third Quarter of 2015.  The NABOR® September 2015 Market Report was also released and reflected these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:   Overall pending sales decreased 10 percent from 829 homes in September 2014 to 749 homes in September 2015. Overall closed sales increased 3 percent from 9,658 homes in the 12-months ending September 2015 to 9,956 homes in the 12-months ending September 2015. Overall median closed price increased 15 percent from $262,000 in the 12-months ending September 2014 to $300,000 in the 12-months ending September 2015. Overall inventory decreased 3 percent from 3,702 in September 2014 to 3,606 in September 2015. Average Days on market increased 7 percent from 74 days in September 2014 to 79 days in September 2015. "The third quarter report also showed us that a lot more people purchased single-family homes above $1 million this summer than in the same quarter last year," said Steve Barker, Advising Broker for Equity Realty. Indeed, the Third Quarter Market Report reflected the median closed price for single-family homes in the $1 million and above price category decreased 2 percent from $1,350,000 in the Third Quarter of 2014 to $1,325,000 in the Third Quarter of 2015, which may have spurred sales.   Hughes remarked that, "Historically, we see an upswing in the number of homes that go up for sale in October in anticipation of seasonal buyers. It will be interesting to see how this plays out because it appears the increased demand for single-family homes from full-time residents has the potential to keep absorbing our existing inventory."   To ensure your next sale or purchase in the Naples area is a success, contact a REALTOR® on Naplesarea.com to guide you through the process.    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 5,000 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 3Q 2015 Market Statistics View September 2015 Market Statistics    To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com

Fla.’s single-family home sales rose 21.8% in July

www.scottsorensonrealestate.com

 

 

NAR's national home sales

Total existing home sales up 2% despite stubbornly low inventory

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 20, 2015 – Florida's housing market had more closed sales, higher median prices, more pending sales and a tighter inventory in July, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors^®. Closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 26,916 last month, up 21.8 percent over July 2014.
"Homebuyers and sellers are benefiting from the positive momentum of Florida's housing market," says 2015 Florida Realtors President Andrew Barbar, a broker with Keller Williams Realty Services in Boca Raton. "July's completed or closed sales for single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties both showed double-digit gains over the previous year. Meanwhile median prices keep steadily rising: July marked the 44th consecutive month that median sales prices increased year-over-year for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties.
Statewide, new pending sales for single-family homes in July rose 6.5 percent year-over-year, while new townhouse-condo pending sales rose 3.8 percent."
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $199,900, up 8.1 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in July was $150,000, up 9.1 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in June 2015 was $237,700, up 6.6 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $226,500. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in June was $489,560; in Massachusetts, it was $364,900; in Maryland, it was $281,031; and in New York, it was $237,301.
Looking at Florida's townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales rose last month with a total of 10,235, up 13.9 percent compared to July 2014.
The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales in July: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 39.3 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 31.2 percent. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
"The Florida real estate market continues to boom along, fueled by job growth, immigration and fear of higher interest rates," says Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. "Tight inventories are beginning to get worrisome, even in price tiers where they had not been a problem. But we're not in any great danger of a runaway market because mortgages are still difficult to get for most households, keeping demand down."
Inventory continues to tighten, with a 4.5-months' supply in July for single-family homes and a 5.3-months' supply for townhouse-condo properties. Most analysts consider a 6-month supply of inventory as the benchmark for a balanced market between buyers and sellers.
According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.05 percent in July 2015, down from the 4.13 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.

2Q Report Indicates Housing Market is On Pace to Be a Great Year

Naples, Fla. (July 17, 2015) - According to the Second Quarter 2015 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), 60 percent of the market experienced inventory growth, and overall sales activity remained on pace with activity experienced in the second quarter of 2014. The report also indicated a 9 percent increase in pending sales (quarter over quarter) for homes priced above $300,000. These factors and other statistics in the 2Q 2015 Market Report have led broker analysts to conclude another great year is very likely.

 

"In this quarter last year, 44 percent of pending sales [homes under contract] were for homes in the price category over $300,000," said Brett Brown, a Broker/Salesperson for Premier Sotheby's International Realty. "The current report shows us that the number of pending sales has increased to 53 percent of the market."

 

Brown pointed out that from 2010 to 2012 80 percent of all pending sales were composed of homes under $300,000. But second quarter reports for 2014 and 2015 identify a shift took place in pending sales activity to homes at higher price points within the market. And while inventory in the under $300,000 price category decreased 24 percent in the 2Q of 2015 (the same rate as in the 1Q of 2015); this price segment no longer makes up the majority of the market's inventory.

 

Broker analysts contend that the market was quite different 10 years ago with a lot of flipping and loose financing going on. But the consumer and industry setting is different today. The 2Q 2015 Market Report revealed where the differences occurred like median closed price, where prices for homes between $300,000 and $2 million leveled out increasing or decreasing 0 to 2 percent. Other differences revealed in the 2Q Report are a gradual increase in financed homes to 38.3 percent of the market in June 2015, and a non-traditional market (short sales and foreclosures) that is dwindling at just 7 percent of the market.   

 

"Prior to 2014, prices in all segments were going up," said Tom Bringardner, Jr., President/CEO of Premier Commercial. "But a side-by-side comparison of overall activity for the first six months of last year to this year signifies a different climate where the market has reached stabilization."

 

According to the 2Q 2015 Market Report, the Naples area experienced a 14 percent increase in overall median closed price from $255,000 in the 12-months ending 2Q of 2014 to $290,000 in the 12-months ending 2Q of 2015. Yet this increase was driven by increases at both ends of the market spectrum during this time period; i.e., an 11 percent increase in homes under $300,000, and a 15 percent increase in homes $2M and above. Incidentally, the median closed price for homes in price categories over $300,000 and under $2M decreased 1 percent.

 

Pockets of market highs and lows will continue to appear in the area, as demand and location continue to be major market influencers. For example, the report showed an 83 percent increase in inventory for condominiums in the $2M and above price category from 29 units in the 2Q of 2014 to 53 units in the 2Q of 2015, and a 23 percent decrease in condominium inventory in the Naples Beach area from 476 units in the 2Q of 2014 to 368 units in the 2Q of 2015.

 

Inventory for single-family homes continued to rise in the 2Q of 2015 with a 9 percent increase from 1,964 single-family homes in the 2Q of 2014 to 2,133 single-family homes in the 2Q of 2015. Whereas the condominium market saw an 11 percent decrease in inventory for 2Q 2015 from 1,759 condominiums in the 2Q 2014 to 1,565 condominiums in the 2Q of 2015.

 

The NABOR® 2Q 2015 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® 2Q 2015 sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings: 

• Overall pending sales decreased 4 percent from 2,949 in the 2Q of 2014 to 2,843 in the 2Q of 2015.
• Overall closed sales remained flat with no increase or decrease reported in the 2Q of 2015.
• Closed sales for condominiums in the $300,000 to $500,000 price category increased 38 percent from 682 in the 2Q of 2014 to 938 in the 2Q of 2015.
• Overall median closed price increased 14 percent from $255,000 in the 12-months ending 2Q of 2014 to $290,000 in the 12-months ending 2Q of 2015.
• Overall inventory decreased 1 percent from 3,723 homes in the 2Q of 2014 to 3,698 homes in the 2Q of 2015.
• Overall inventory for homes in the under $300,000 price category decreased 24 percent from 1,366 homes in the 2Q of 2014 to 1,036 homes in the 2Q of 2015.
• Inventory for single-family homes in the $500,000 to $1M price category increased 32 percent from 456 single-family homes in the 2Q of 2014 to 604 single-family homes in the 2Q of 2015.
• Average days on market decreased 20 percent from 94 days in the 2Q of 2014 to 75 days in the 2Q of 2015.  

The NABOR® June 2015 Market Report was also released and reflected these overall (single-family and condominium) findings: 

• Overall pending sales increased 5 percent from 840 homes in June 2014 to 882 homes in June 2015.
• Overall closed sales remained flat with no increase or decrease reported in the 12-months ending June 2015.
• Overall median closed price increased 14 percent from $255,000 in the 12-months ending June 2014 to $290,000 in the 12-months ending June 2015.
• Overall inventory decreased 1 percent from 3,723 homes in June 2014 to 3,698 homes in June 2015.
• Average Days on market decreased 22 percent from 94 days in June 2014 to 73 days in June 2015.

"Overall inventory is almost the same number as it was this time last year. That is amazing when you consider the fact that we have had 9,850 closings over the last twelve months. Overall, this tells you that the properties are being listed almost as fast as we are selling them. Certainly we would like to see more listings come on the market than the 3,698 properties that are currently listed," said Mike Hughes NABOR President, Vice President and General Manager of Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. "If there is a perception that inventory is dramatically shrinking, the 2Q Market Report shows us that this observation is unfounded."

 

"I saw a lot more locals selling and buying homes in the second quarter of 2015," said Steve Barker, Advising Broker for Equity Realty, who added that market conditions are right for this type of transition. "People are no longer underwater in their homes and are confident it's a good time to sell and move into a new community."

 

View June 2015 Market Statistics

View 2Q 2015 Market Statistics

  

Millennials getting ready to buy in next 2-4 years ( 50 Millions purchases)

www.ScottSorensonRealEstate.com

 

WASHINGTON – May 15, 2015 – Seventy percent of millennials who do not yet own a home expect to become homeowners by 2020, and most expect to make the downpayment with money they've saved, according to a survey of 1,270 members of millennials (age 19 to 36) conducted by the Urban Land Institute.
The report finds that contrary to popular belief, most millennials aren't settling into downtowns of large cities; instead, they're living in less centrally located, more affordable neighborhoods, "making ends meet with jobs for which many feel overqualified and living with parents or roommates to save money," according to the report. "Still, despite their current lifestyle constraints, most are optimistic about the odds for improving their housing and financial circumstances in the years ahead."
There are almost 79 million millennials. It's the largest generation in U.S. history, even larger than the Baby Boomers.
The survey found that many millennials still rent, paying a median rent of $925, with the majority living in city neighborhoods or in the suburbs, and only 13 percent living in or near downtowns. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed are still living at home with their parents or other family members.
Millennials say they prefer to live in neighborhoods with urban characteristics, such as those that feature walkability, transportation alternatives, and easy access to shopping and entertainment.
Millennials "want to live where it's easy to have fun with friends and family, whether in the suburbs or closer in," says Leanne Lachman, president of Lachman Associates LLC in New York City, the report's author. "Their desire for an urban lifestyle suggests that the current trend of urbanizing suburbs will present lucrative opportunities for the development community for decades to come. This is a generation that places a high value on work-life balance and flexibility. They will switch housing and jobs as frequently as necessary to improve their quality of life."
The survey found that 45 percent of millennial respondents moved at least twice in the past three years – "which reflects the high mobility of the generation," the report notes.
About 26 percent of the millennials surveyed currently own homes, with the majority of those falling between the ages of 31 to 36 years of age. Of those who do own, less than half (46 percent) say they purchased a home because they believe that owning is a good long-term investment; 41 percent said it offers stability; and 40 percent said they wanted more privacy and space.
Sixty-two percent say they're very satisfied with homeownership, and 64 percent listed the stability and safety of their neighborhood as the most positive feature of their home's location.

Fla.’s housing market continues growth in March

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

 

 

Related:

NAR: Existing-home sales spike in March.
 

ORLANDO, Fla. – April 22, 2015 – Florida's housing market continued its positive track in March with more closed sales, higher median prices, increased pending sales and new listings, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
Closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 24,811 last month, up 24.6 percent in a year-to-year comparison.

"Positive growth in Florida's housing market is encouraging sellers and buyers," says 2015 Florida Realtors President Andrew Barbar, a broker with Keller Williams Realty Services in Boca Raton. "Inventories for existing single-family homes and for townhouse-condo properties remain in a stable range with a 5 to 6 months' supply.

"On the buyers' side, new pending sales for existing single-family homes in March increased 12.9 percent year-over-year, while pending sales for townhouse-condo units increased 1.4 percent. On the sellers' side, new listings for single-family homes rose 8.6 percent year-over-year and new townhouse-condo listings rose 5.5 percent."

March marked the 40th consecutive month that statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year.

"Strong price growth has helped many Florida homeowners rebuild home equity, but it can also pose a challenge for first-time buyers hoping to close on their dream home before rates rise," Barbar adds.
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $190,000, up 9.2 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in March was $152,000, up 8.6 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in February 2015 was $204,200, up 8.2 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $190,200.

Looking at Florida's townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 11,083 last month, up 13.7 percent compared to March 2014.

The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales in March: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 36.9 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 30.5 percent. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

"The housing market continues to thrive on the growing Florida economy – jobs are up and so are sales," says Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. "The continued fall of cash sales as a percentage of total sales suggests that demand is increasingly coming from household owner-occupants, a trend that bodes well for market stability. Days on the market are down, as is inventory, particularly at the low end of the market. This points to a potential sweet spot for homebuilders.
"If there is a concern in the market, it lies in the upper-middle price ranges, where inventories and time on the market are up even though sales growth is strong," adds Tuccillo. "This will bear watching over time."

Inventory was at a 5.1-months' supply in March for single-family homes and at a 6.1-months' supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.77 percent in March 2015, down from the 4.34 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors' website under "Research." Association members (login required) also have access to local data specific to their market.

Buyers Shift Focus to Condominium Market

www.ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com   Naples, Fla. (April 17, 2015) - Overall activity in the Naples area real estate market across all price categories remains steady, according to the First Quarter 2015 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). Most notable in the report was the $300,000 - $500,000 price category for condominiums in which the overall closed and pending sales increased by double digits in the first quarter of 2015. Statistics show a recent shift in buyer focus from single-family homes to condominiums.   Broker analysts reviewing the First Quarter 2015 Market Report agree that a new trend may be emerging, as the report showed condominiums outperforming single-family home sales. As such, these analysts predict condominiums will see continued rise in activity moving into summer.   "Pending and closed sales in the mid-level price range [$300K - $500K] for both March and first quarter outperformed all other areas of the market," said Phil Wood, President & CEO of John R. Wood Properties.  "Perhaps this is reflective of vacation home buyers who want a place to escape the winter weather. Condos are the easiest way for them to do so, since exterior maintenance issues are handled by the associations."   "The difference in performance between the single-family home market and condo market in the $300,000 -$500,000 price category for the first quarter is quite impressive," said Steve Barker, Advising Broker for Equity Realty. "Pending sales for condominiums in the $300,000 - $500,000 price category increased 53 percent. Yet, while the single family home market is very good, pending sales for single-family homes in this same price category increased only half that, at 26 percent."   Supporting analysis presented by Cindy Carroll SRA, with the real estate appraisal and consultancy firm Carroll & Carroll, Inc., at NABOR®'s Economic Summit earlier this month, several brokers including Kathy Zorn, Bill Coffey and Mike Hughes pointed out that the First Quarter 2015 Market Report indicated location as a big factor in home sales activity.   Hughes remarked that, "the overall median closed price in all geo-specific areas of the county increased double digits compared to the same quarter last year." Zorn added, "in both the Central Naples and South Naples areas, the median closed price rose 17 percent compared to the first quarter of 2014."   Overall inventory for the $300,000 - $500,000 price category in the first quarter of 2015 increased 14 percent from 934 homes in the first quarter of 2014 to 1,061 homes in the first quarter of 2015. Only the inventory in the over $2 million price category had a larger increase - 18 percent - expanding from 400 homes in the first quarter of 2014 to 471 homes in the first quarter of 2015.   "The number of people paying cash for their homes remains strong," said Barker, who added, "a stunning 73 percent of all home sales in the first quarter of 2015 were cash-only purchases. Strict lending standards combined with low inventory continue to give the advantage to cash buyers in this housing market."   "We also see that in March, traditional sales dominated the market at 91 percent," said Bill Poteet, owner and broker at Poteet Properties. "There were 921 traditional sales and only 19 non-traditional [short sale and/or foreclosed] sales." He went on to note that March's market performance is typically a leading indicator of the trend we can expect going in to the summer.    The NABOR® 1Q 2015 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® 1Q 2015 sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:   Overall pending sales increased 3 percent from 3,532 in 1Q 2014 to 3,628 in 1Q 2015. Pending sales in the single-family home market increased 5 percent from 1,563 single-family homes in 1Q 2014 to 1,634 single-family homes in 1Q 2015. Pending sales in the condominium market increase 1 percent from 1,969 condominiums in 1Q 2014 to 1,994 condominiums in 1Q 2015. Overall closed sales decreased 4 percent from 2,409 in 1Q 2014 to 2,312 in 1Q 2015. Closed sales for single-family homes decreased 13 percent in the $0 - $300,000 price category from 473 single-family homes in 1Q 2014 to 412 single-family homes in the 1Q 2015, Closed sales for single-family homes increased 14 percent in the $300,000 - $500,000 price category from 264 single-family homes in 1Q 2014 to 300 single-family homes in 1Q 2015. Overall median closed price increased 13 percent from $265,000 in 1Q 2014 to $300,000 in 1Q 2015. Overall median closed price for homes over $2 million increased 11 percent from $2,877,000 in 1Q 2014 to $3,200,000 in 1Q 2015. Median closed price for condominiums in the $2 million and above price category decreased 13 percent from $2,775,000 in 1Q 2014 to $2,405,000 in 1Q 2015. Overall inventory decreased 3 percent from 4,405 homes in 1Q 2014 to 4,253 homes in 1Q 2015. Inventory of single-family homes in the $0 - $300,000 price category decreased 28 percent from 537 single-family homes in 1Q 2014 to 385 single-family homes in 1Q 2015. Inventory of single-family homes in the $500,000 - $1 million price category increased 21 percent from 529 in 1Q 2014 to 640 in 1Q 2015. Inventory for condominiums in the $2 million and above price category increased 77 percent from 39 in 1Q 2014 to 69 in 1Q 2015. Average days on market decreased 11 percent from 95 in 1Q 2014 to 85 in 1Q 2015. The NABOR® March 2015 Market Report was also released and reflected these overall (single-family and condominium) findings:  Overall pending sales increased 9 percent from 1,399 homes in March 2014 to 1,520 homes in March 2015. Overall closed sales increased 3 percent from 981 homes in March 2014 to 1,014 homes in March 2015. Overall median closed price increased 12 percent from $248,000 in the 12-months ending March 2014 to $278,000 in the 12-months ending March 2015. Overall median closed price in the $0-$300,000 category increased 9 percent from $165,000 in the 12-months ending March 2014 to $189,000 in the 12-months ending March 2015. Overall inventory decreased 3 percent from 4,405 homes in March 2014 to 4,253 in March 2015. Average days on market decreased 16 percent from 94 days in March 2014 to 80 days in March 2015. "The statistics show that the lower the price category, the faster the home will sell and the higher the price category, the longer it takes to sell," said Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. "For example, homes in the $0 - $300,000 price range sold in an average of 64 days in the first quarter of 2015, while homes in the over $2 million price category stayed on the market 152 days before they sold."   The First Quarter 2015 and March 2015 Market Reports reflect exactly what all three economic experts predicted at NABOR®'s 4th annual Economic Summit: that the real estate industry in Florida is very good and will continue to stay very good through 2015.    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 5,000 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 March 2015 Market Statistics  View 1Q 2015 Market Statistics     To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com

Owning cheaper than renting in 76% of U.S. metros

IRVINE, Calif. – April 9, 2015 – RealtyTrac released its Residential Rental Property Analysis the first quarter of 2015 and found that the monthly house payment (median-priced three-bedroom home) is more affordable than the monthly fair market in 76 percent of U.S. counties included in the analysis.
The report also ranked the markets with the best – and worst – potential returns on residential rental properties from a real estate investor perspective, along with the most affordable – and least affordable – markets for renting from a renter perspective.
The analysis included 461 U.S. counties with a population of at least 100,000 and sufficient home price, income and rental data.
On average, fair market rents (set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) were 28 percent of estimated median household income; monthly house payments on a median-priced home (10 percent downpayment with property taxes, home insurance and mortgage insurance included) were 24 percent of the estimated median income.
"From a purely affordability standpoint, renters who have saved enough to make a 10 percent downpayment are better off buying in the majority of markets across the country," says Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac.
However, Blomquist says "factors other than affordability are keeping many renters from becoming buyers – a reality that means real estate investors buying residential properties as rentals still have the opportunity to make strong returns in many markets across the country." He also notes that the data RealtyTrac analyzed are not the only variables in a buy-versus-rent decision.
Florida
Only two metro areas and cities in Florida ranked in any of RealtyTrac's top 10 or bottom 10 lists for renting or investing. Miami-Dade (including Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach) ranked No. 4 nationwide in the "least affordable rental markets" list. The analysis finds it takes 45 percent of an owner's median income to rent, while it takes only 34 percent of median income to buy a home.
For real estate investors, only Pasco County made the top 10 list for annual investment return. According to RealtyTrac, the annual gross rental yield for a cash buyer in February 2015 at 19.20 percent compared to the nation's top investment city, Baltimore, Maryland, which saw 24.82 percent returns.
Nation
Among the 56 counties with most favorable conditions for buying, the most affordable for buying was Bay County, Michigan in the Bay City metro area, where it takes only 11 percent of the area's median income to make house payments on a median priced-home.
The top U.S. market for renting is Delaware County, Ohio, in the Columbus metro area, where it takes only 14 percent of the area's median income.
While the Miami-Dade area ranked fourth for high market rents, Bronx County, New York, led the list. In the Bronx, a median-income home pays 69 percent monthly in rent. However, the cost of ownership is so high that renting remains the preferred option there.
Investment returns
The average potential annual gross rental yield for homes purchased in February 2015 was 9.34 percent for all metro areas, calculated by annualizing the rental income and dividing that amount into the purchase price of the property.
Markets with the highest potential annual gross rental yields for homes purchased in February 2015 were:

• Baltimore City, Maryland (24.82 percent),
• Clayton County, Georgia (24.26 percent),
• Wayne County, Michigan (21.08 percent)
• Pasco County, Florida (19.20 percent)
• Trumbull County, Ohio (18.36 percent)

Markets with lowest returns on residential rental properties:

• New York County/Manhattan, New York (2.34 percent)
• San Francisco County, California (3.20 percent)
• Kings County/Brooklyn, New York (3.63 percent)
• Marin County, California (3.84 percent)
• Williamson County, Tennessee (3.89 percent)

Investment markets with rising rental returns

• Douglas County, Oregon (potential returns up 119 basis points from a year ago)
•  Linn County, Iowa (109 basis point increase)
• Henderson County, North Carolina (109 basis point increase)
• Kendall County, Illinois (89 basis point increase)
• Sussex County, Delaware (80 basis point increase).
• Cook County, Illinois (43 basis points increase)
• King County, Washington (12 basis point increase)
• Long Island, New York (49 basis point increase)
• Nassau, New York (24 basis point increase)
• Wake County, North Carolina (30 basis point increase)

© 2015 Florida Realtors®  

Articles about Real Estate Growth in Naples

ScottSorensonRealEstate.com

Naples Area Among Top 10 in Nation for Growth -  Naples News

 

Naples Leads State in February Job Growth - Naples News 

 

Naples Area Home Prices Jump 25% - Naples News

 

 Talis Park Sales Momentum Continues into the New Year - Naples News 

 

Naples Expected to Lead State in Economic Growth - Naples News 

 

Naples Homes Soar to Record Breaking Prices - Naples News 

 

Florida Leads Nation in All Cash Sales - Florida Realtor 

 

Home Sales Heading to Fastest Pace Since 2006 - Marketwatch.com 

 

Real Estate Market Hits Era of Good Feelings - Ft Myers News-Press

 

House Prices within 6% of peak levels of 2007! - Market Realist

 

Naples Home Prices Jump 13% - Naples News 

 

Naples Ranked 4th Happiest City in the US - News-Press

 

Talis Park Phase II Site Work Begins at Talis Park -  Naples News

 

Naples Job Growth #1 in Nation - Forbes 

 

Median Home Prices Rose 9% in June Compared to a Year Ago - Naples News 

 

Talis Park marks major milestones in second quarter - Naples News

 

May's Real Estate Market Stays a Steady Course - NABOR 

 

Talis Park YTD Sales reach almost $49M after strong May - Naples News 

 

Southwest Florida has slim inventory of finished new houses - Herald Tribune 

 

McGarvey Builds Model at Talis Park - Naples News 

 

Naples and Bonita Make Top 10 beaches in US - FoxNews 

 

43% of 2014 Buyer paid all Cash - Marketwatch

 

Prices of Naples-Marco Houses up 26% in Quarter - Naples News 

 

Talis Reports 16 Sales, 21 Reservations in April - Naples News

 

Talis Park Reports $26.3M in first quarter sales - Naples News 

 

Naples-Marco Island Area lead the State in job Growth - News-Press 

 

Naples Ranks #7 as Happiest and Healthiest Place in the Country - Business Insider 

 

Home Prices Soar in February - Naples News 

 

Prato Estate Neighborhood 66% Sold! - Naples News 

 

Kitson to start Phase II of the Vyne House at Talis Park - Naples News

 

Naples Area Fastest Growing Metro Area in the Country - USA Today  

 

That boom you heard is Southwest Florida building industry: It's back - Naples News

Housing's Strength Report from Merrill Lynch - Video
Naples-Marco market No. 1 in home price forecast, research firm says - Naples News

Hertz execs to officially start in SW Fla. on Monday - Naples News

 

North Naples entertainment center would include hotel, more dining, brew house - Naples News

Collier County home prices jump nearly 15 percent - Naples News

 

Overall Median Home Prices Rises for 14th Consecutive Month - Naples

 

Collier, Lee population growth among top three in state, new study shows - Naples News

CoreLogic: Prices to Rise 12.3 Percent in August - Real Estate Economy Watch

Fairgrove at Talis Park nearly 50% sold - Naples News

"Naples Packed with High Concentration of Millionaires" - Fox4

"Scholten Construction Inc. to start estate home at Talis Park - Naples News

"Million Dollar Home Sales Jump in US" - Bloomberg

"The New Housing Bubble Illusion" - Motley Fool

"US home prices rise 12.2 percent, best in 6 years" - AP

"Naples Ranks #3 of Where Millionaires Live in America" - Kiplinger

 "Naples Ranked #2 Among Top Retirement Spots for Real Estate Investors! - Marketwatch.com 

"Pending home sales highest in more than six years" - Reuters

"Foreign Investors Eyeing U.S. Real Estate, What it Means for Buyers" - Fox News

"Home Prices in Naples Increase 17% - Naples News

"US Homes Sales Rise to 5-Year High - AP

"Surprise Shortage Boost Home Prices" - Marketwatch.com

"Florida Housing Market Continues Upswing in November" - FAR

"Florida Ranks 3rd in Population Growth" - Naples News

"Naples Residents Among the Nations Weathiest" - Naples News
"New Foreclosures Lowest in 6 Years" - RealtyTrac
"Housing Market Post Gains" - Wall Street Journal

"Naples Home Prices up almost 10%" - Zillow.com

"Prices Rise in October" - DS NEWS
"New Home Sales Climb 5.7% in September" -ABC News

"Naples Makes Top 10 Housing Markets through 2016" - Housing Predictor