Pending home sales rose in May to the highest level since late 2006, implying a possible spark as mortgage interest rates began to rise, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 6.7 percent to 112.3 in May from a downwardly revised 105.2 in April, and is 12.1 percent above May 2012 when it was 100.2. Contract activity is at its strongest pace since December 2006, when it reached 112.8. Also, pending sales … [Read more...]
The 10 Hottest U.S. Housing Markets of 2013
May 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
After a long and painful downturn in the housing market, home prices in many—but not all—regions of the U.S. are showing signs of recovery. According to Zillow, a real estate listing website, home values rose 5.1% across the U.S. between February 2012 and February 2013. Many local housing markets are performing considerably better than the country as a whole. Home values rose more than 13% in 10 of the 30 largest housing markets for which Zillow has data, and rose more than 20% in five of them. Most of the 10 … [Read more...]
Is The Phoenix Real Estate Market In Another Bubble?
April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
According to Michael Orr, Director of Real Estate at W.P. Carey school of business at Arizona State, we are not even close to a bubble at this point. Michael has thus put together a 'top ten' list of reasons why we are not currently in a bubble. CLICK HERE to read his findings. … [Read more...]
Metro Phoenix luxury home sales on the rise
April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The number of metro Phoenix luxury houses for sale is on the rise, something real estate analysts say is a good sign for the market because fewer of the houses are foreclosures or short-sale listings. At the beginning of April, there were 2,267 houses listed at $500,000 or more on the market, a 3 percent increase from March, according to the latest report from a local real estate firm and Arizona State University housing analyst Mike Orr. Of the upscale houses for sale, 90 were short sales. That compares … [Read more...]
Selling your home? The cards are in your favor
April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Selling your home? In most parts of the country, you have finally regained the upper hand. So says Beth Braverman, CNN Money on April 8, 2013: 4:33 PM ET. To get your best price, though, you need to finesse your timing, list competitively and match your marketing strategy to local conditions. Lower your sights to make more money. Rising prices breed rising hopes: In a recent poll, brokers complained that 75% of homeowners think their agent's recommended listing price is too low. Pricing your property above … [Read more...]
7 Metros With Fastest Rising List Prices
March 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Nationwide, median asking prices continue to rise, reaching $189,900 in February. Meanwhile, inventories of for-sale homes on the market are reaching record lows, Realtor.com reports in its latest analysis of February MLS data. The markets seeing some of the largest increases in asking prices are the areas seeing some of the largest declines in inventories. California housing markets continue to post some of the largest price increases in the past year, but other strong performing markets also include Phoenix, … [Read more...]
Homes Selling Faster As Buyers Outweigh Supply
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
According to Realtor.com, homes sold faster this February than any other February since 2007. This should be very familiar to Phoenicians who have sold or bought a home in the last year within the valley. Homes in Phoenix, Arcadia, Scottsdale and most cities within Maricopa County have seen days on market numbers plunge and within certain price ranges, seen multiple offers the day a property is listed. Investors have definitely exacerbated the situation as they have come into the market with cash offers making … [Read more...]
5 Cities Where Houses Are Still Cheap
March 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Buyers have been rushing into Phoenix in search of big deals. Short-sale purchases increased 43% during the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with a year prior, according to RealtyTrac. It’s not just investors who are behind the trend. Owner occupants are also competing for these properties. Given the competition, experts say, buyers looking to pick up a short sale will have a better shot if they come to the table with an all-cash offer. But real-estate agents warn that the window of opportunity to snatch up … [Read more...]
