Thursday, January 31, 2013

Outside remodeling has biggest return on investment

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

WASHINGTON – Jan. 30, 2013 – Homeowners looking for the most return on their investment when remodeling should consider exterior replacement projects. According to the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, Realtors® rated exterior projects among the most valuable home improvement projects.

“Realtors know that curb appeal projects offer great bang for your buck, because a home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see,” says National Association of Realtors (NAR) President Gary Thomas. “Projects such as siding, window and door replacements can recoup more than 70 percent of their cost at resale.”

According to the Cost vs. Value Report, Realtors judged a steel entry door replacement as the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 85.6 percent of costs recouped upon resale. A steel entry door replacement is also the least expensive project in the report, costing little more than $1,100 on average.

A majority of the top 10 cost-effective projects nationally are exterior replacement projects; all are estimated to recoup more than 71 percent of costs.

Three different siding replacement projects landed in the top 10, including fiber cement siding (expected to return 79.3 percent of costs), vinyl siding (72.9 percent) and foam backed vinyl (71.8 percent). Two additional door replacements were also among the top exterior replacement projects. A midrange and upscale garage door replacement were both expected to return more than 75 percent of costs.

According to the report, two interior remodeling projects, however, could also recoup substantial value at resale. A minor kitchen remodel is ranked fifth and expected to return 75.4 percent of costs. Nationally, the project’s average cost is just under $19,000.

The second interior remodeling project in the top 10 is the attic bedroom, with 72.9 percent of costs recouped. With an average national cost of just under $48,000, the attic project adds a bedroom and bathroom within a home’s existing footprint.

On the other side of the value spectrum, the least effective home improvement project is a home office, which would recoup less than 44 percent of the installation cost.

To read the full project descriptions and access national and regional project data, visit www.costvsvalue.com.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

What’s behind falling housing inventories?

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

NEW YORK – Jan. 29, 2013 – Home prices are increasing across the country as the number of homes for-sale continues to fall. But at a time when buyer demand is picking up, why is inventory still so low?

Inventories fell to 1.82 million at the end of last year, a 21.6 percent drop from one year earlier, the National Association of Realtors® reports.

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted several reasons behind the dropping inventories, including:

 Sellers hesitant to sell: About 22 percent of homeowners with a mortgage remain underwater, owing more than their home is currently worth. These homeowners don’t tend to sell unless a life-changing event occurs because they don’t want to take a loss on the sale. CoreLogic data finds constrained inventories in areas with the highest number of underwater borrowers.

 Not enough equity to trade up: Homeowners often rely on equity from their current home to make a downpayment on the next home. With fewer homeowners seeing equity, they may not have enough money to move into a pricier home – a constraint on the would-be “trade up” buyer.

 Investors continue to snatch up properties: Investors still snap up properties, but they’ve changed their strategy, which also constrains inventories. Now they’re holding onto properties and turning them into rentals instead of rehabbing and flipping them for profit. The result: fewer homes on the market.

 Banks slowing down foreclosures: Banks have new rules to meet with the foreclosure process, and it’s causing them to move at a slower pace. Banks also are showing a preference for short sales and loan modifications, which curbs the number of foreclosed homes on the market.

 Builders doing less building: Housing starts were at record lows from 2009 through 2011, so there’s less inventory added to the market. A rebound in the new-home market has only recently started to occur.

Source: “Six Reasons Housing Inventory Keeps Declining,” The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 22, 2013)

U.S. home prices accelerate in November

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

WASHINGTON (AP) – Jan. 29, 2013 – U.S. home prices accelerated in November compared with a year ago, pushed higher by rising sales and a tighter supply of available homes.

The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 5.5 percent in November compared with the same month a year ago. That’s up from a 4.3 percent annual gain in October.

The biggest yearly gain was in Phoenix, where prices jumped nearly 23 percent. Prices in San Francisco increased 12.7 percent.

Prices also increased in half of the cities measured by the index in November from October. That’s up from seven in October. The biggest monthly gains were in San Francisco, Phoenix and Minneapolis.

Monthly prices are not seasonally adjusted and frequently decline over the winter.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

2012 MEDIAN CLOSED PRICE INCREASED 17 PERCENT

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com
 
2012 MEDIAN CLOSED PRICE INCREASED 17 PERCENT  
 
Contacts:             Wes Kunkle, NABOR President & Media Relations Committee Chairman, (239) 216-2839
                            Marcia Albert, NABOR Director of Marketing, (239) 597-1666
  
Naples, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2013) - The Naples area overall median closed price increased a remarkable 17 percent from $175,000 in 2011 to $204,000 in 2012, 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).  
 
"At our annual Economic Summit held in April, Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of REALTORS®, predicted a 10 percent increase in the overall median price by the end of 2012," stated Brenda Fioretti, Managing Broker at Prudential Florida Realty. "At the time, many people were incredulous with his assessment, but now today we are delighted to see the real estate market's prices rebounding and surpassing estimates."
 
The NABOR® 2012 Annual Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the SunshineMLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. The NABOR® annual sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium units) findings: 
 
- Overall closed sales increased 9 percent, from 8,345 units in 2011, compared to 9,121 units in 2012. Overall closed sales increased 20 percent in the $300,000-$500,000 category, from 1,129 units to 1,357 units, and increased 29 percent in the $500,000-$1 million category, from 794 units to 1,022 units, from 2011 to 2012, respectively.
 
- Overall pending sales increased 6 percent, from 10,070 pending sales in 2011 to 10,683 pending sales in 2012.
 
- Overall inventory decreased by 13 percent, from 7,581 listed properties in 2011 to 6,557 listed properties in 2012. Pending sales with contingent contracts are included in the overall inventory number.
 
 
- Overall pending sales in the Naples coastal area increased 15 percent, from 1,791 units to 2,057 units, in 2012. Closed sales increased 14 percent, from 1,641 units in 2011 to 1,869 units in 2012.
 
 
"2012 was a very good year across the board for the Naples area real estate market," stated Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager of Downing-Frye Realty. "From overall pending sales to closed sales and higher median closed prices, along with a continued decrease in inventory, it was a strong year. So strong, in fact, that we now would like to see higher levels of available inventory."
 
Thomas A. Bringardner Jr., President and CEO of Premier Commercial, added "The continued economic recovery, both nationally and locally, as well as the decrease in the unemployment rate (dropping to 7.8 percent for Collier County in November 2012) and increase in tourism is benefitting the residential and commercial market."
 
"The overall commercial market has remained relatively steady and now we are seeing modest improvements," he said. "Recent large deals, including the sale of the Fifth Third Bank building and the Venetian Village, in addition to large land deals, highlight the improvement in the commercial market."
 
The NABOR® 2012 Fourth Quarter 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® fourth quarter statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium units) findings:
 
- Overall closed sales increased 22 percent, from 1,689 units in fourth quarter 2011 to 2,061 units in fourth quarter 2012. Overall closed sales increased 58 percent in the $300,000-$500,000 category, from 207 units to 328 units, and increased 51 percent in the $500,000-$1 million category, from 146 units to 221 units, from fourth quarter 2011 to fourth quarter 2012, respectively.
 
- The median closed price increased 24 percent overall, from $165,000 in fourth quarter 2011 to $205,000 in fourth quarter 2012.
 
 - Overall pending sales increased 8 percent, from 2,250 pending sales in fourth quarter 2011 to 2,422 pending sales in fourth quarter 2012.
 
- Overall inventory decreased 13 percent, from 7,580 units for fourth quarter 2011, compared to 6,557 units in fourth quarter 2012.
 
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.  
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Housing may loosen up

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

NEW YORK – Dec. 21, 2012 – Shrinking inventories of homes for sale, which have helped drive prices higher this year, may reverse course next year, economists say.

Rising prices are likely to persuade more people to sell and builders to add more homes, which would expand supplies.

In recent years, with prices nationally down more than 30 percent from their 2006 peaks, the only people selling were people who had to sell, says economist Paul Diggle at Capital Economics. But prices have been rising, up 6.3 percent in October compared with a year earlier, CoreLogic says. More increases are likely next year.

Supplies of homes for sale are “close to a low point now,” Diggle says and will “probably turn around over the next year.”

That will help keep a check on prices. Still, Capital Economics predicts prices will rise 5 percent next year. Economists surveyed by market watcher Zillow foresee a 3.1 percent jump.

The housing market continued to show signs of strengthening in November, with existing home sales climbing to its highest level in three years, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Total sales of existing homes rose 5.9 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million, up 14.5 percent from a year ago, NAR said.

Yet, the most important number in the monthly report dealt with the supply of homes for sale, says economist Patrick Newport of IHS Global Insight. Supplies have fallen to the lowest in more than seven years, based on the current pace of sales. NAR reported the supply fell to 4.8 months in November, down 38 percent from January 2011. Realtors consider a six-month supply to be a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

More people will likely step up to sell next year, assuming prices continue to rise, Newport says. “A lot of people have just been waiting.”

Phoenix, which leads the nation with a 25 percent rise in October prices year-over-year, saw its supply of active listings hit a low in June, then expand until December. That’s a normal seasonal pattern for Phoenix, but more ordinary sellers are also likely tapping into rising prices, says Mike Orr, real estate expert at Arizona State University.

A recent survey also points to more sellers. Fannie Mae’s November National Housing Survey showed the share of consumers who say now is a good time to sell a home jumped 5 percentage points in November to 23 percent. That’s the highest level since the survey began in June 2010.

Real estate website Trulia, with Harris Interactive, also recently surveyed homeowners and found that 22 percent of current homeowners said they’re at least somewhat likely to sell their homes next year.

Those most likely to sell are people who bought after 2009 and have seen prices rise, the survey showed. They will likely include “flippers” who buy distressed homes, fix them, then resell, says Trulia economist Jed Kolko.

Supplies of homes for sale have been tightening, given stronger sales and a reluctance among people to sell while prices were weak. Also, fewer distressed properties have been coming to market as the foreclosure crisis slowly abates.

© Copyright 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc., Julie Schmit

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Fla.’s housing market continues upswing in November

ScottSorensonRealEstate.com

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 20, 2012 – Closed sales, pending sales, median prices and average prices rose in Florida’s housing market in November, while the inventory of homes and condos for sale shrunk, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

“The sizzle is back,” said 2012 Florida Realtors President Summer Greene, describing the state of Florida’s real estate market. “With home sales strongly trending up and the supply of homes for sale drying up, the market is hot. And we expect these trends to continue into 2013 with the jobs market improving, low mortgage rates continuing and consumer confidence getting stronger.” Greene is regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale.

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 17,072 in November, up 24.4 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 but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 45.8 percent over the previous November. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in November was $150,000, up 11.2 percent from a year ago.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in October 2012 was $178,700, up 10.9 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in October was $341,370; in Massachusetts, it was $287,000; in Maryland, it was $239,802; and in New York, it was $209,000.

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 townhome-condos, a total of 8,079 units sold statewide last month, up 18.3 percent compared to November 2011. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhome-condos in November increased 30 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhome-condo properties was $112,000, up 23.1 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in October 2012 was $177,500.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.1-months’ supply in November; inventory for townhome-condo properties was at a 5.3 months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors. Industry analysts note that a 5.5-months’ supply symbolically represents a market balanced between buyers and sellers.

“Particularly striking in this market is the degree to which prices have risen,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “This might be expected to be the case for median prices as investors absorb the inventory at the lower end of the market, but average prices are up dramatically as well – and that suggests we’re seeing real appreciation occur in the marketplace, another sign of how solid Florida’s real estate recovery has become.”

The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.35 percent in November 2012, down from the 3.99 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 November report. Or go to Florida Realtors Media Center (http://media.floridarealtors.org/ and download the November 2012 data report PDF under Market Data.

Friday, December 14, 2012

TIGHT INVENTORY ALLOWS HOMEOWNERS TO SELL

ScottSorensonRealEstate.Com

Naples, FL (December 14, 2012) - Inventory levels continue to decline while the overall median closed price rose 14 percent, and the overall closed sales increased 6 percent for the 12-months ending November 2012, 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, "For property owners who wanted to sell but did not think the market was conducive to that outcome, the current trends and tight real estate inventory allow for the possibility that scenarios may have changed in their favor either through increased equity, improving Florida economic conditions, property values trending up, or historically low interest rates."

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

 - The overall median closed price increased 14 percent from $175,000 at the end of November 2011 to $200,000 for the 12-month period ending November 2012.

- Overall pending sales increased 6 percent from 10,057 units to 10,667 units for the 12-month period ending November 2012. Overall pending sales increased 20 percent in the $500,000 to $1 million category, from 960 units to 1,153 units, and increased 11 percent in the $1 million to $2 million category, from 429 units to 478 units, for the 12-month period ending November 2012.

- Pending sales increased 100 percent in the $2 million plus category from 16 units in November 2011 to 32 units in November 2012.

- Overall inventory decreased by 15 percent, from 7,625 listed properties in November 2011 to 6,518 in November 2012. Pending sales with contingent contracts are included in the overall inventory number.

-The average DOM (Days on the Market) increased overall from 168 days in November 2011 to 181 days in November 2012. 
 
- Overall pending sales in the Naples coastal area increased 14 percent from 1,801 units to 2,045 units, and closed sales increased 10 percent, from 1,640 units to 1,804 units, for the 12-month period ending November 2012.  

"We have been in a relatively stable market year-round," said Wes Kunkle, Managing Broker of Weichert, Realtors on the Gulf. "Many buyers are coming down earlier than in past years and we are finding that they often prefer to go to contract before they return north for the holidays. In the past, they would leave and make a purchase decision after they went back up north. The tight inventory has resulted in a greater sense of urgency. This, plus the market remaining strong is positive news for the real estate industry."  

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.