Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subject: SVY

Redfin: Strong January Home Price Growth and Declining Inventory Signal Another Competitive Spring for Homebuyers


SEATTLE, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: RDFN) ? Home prices increased 7.8 percent year over year in January, according to Redfin (www.redfin.com), the next-generation real estate brokerage. The median sale price was $280,500  across the markets Redfin services. Sales were down 7.9 percent annually as the ongoing inventory shortage showed no signs of ending. The number of homes for sale in January dropped by 14.4 percent, the largest year-over-year decline in 28 consecutive months of falling supply.

 (PRNewsfoto/Redfin)

The typical home that sold in January found a buyer after 53 days on the market, six days faster than January 2017. The percentage of homes that sold above list (19.2%) and the average sale to list price ratio (97.8%) were both up slightly compared to January of last year, setting the stage for a spring market that could be even more competitive than last year.

"Sales volume is typically lowest in January, so while sales fell further than normal, it is not a major cause for concern," said Redfin senior economist Taylor Marr. "Redfin agents in high-tax states reported that some buyers were hesitant in November and December given the uncertainty around tax reform, which passed in late December. This uncertainty contributed to the drop in January home sales."

Marr says potential move-up buyers are now reassessing whether it makes sense to list their homes in the face of higher mortgage rates and less favorable tax treatment for their next home. Some buyers have determined lower deductions may be offset by other tax cuts, but those tax cuts won't hit buyers' paychecks for a couple months.

Redfin agents report eagerness among buyers to purchase a home before mortgage rates inch up further and prices rise any higher-- if they can find a home they want to buy.

"Many buyers are concerned about interest rates, but the biggest driver of this market is inventory, not rates," said Redfin Washington, D.C., agent Joe Krupsaw. "None of my clients have said they'll change their plans to buy if rates increase. I think when rates hit 4.5 percent we'll see some buyers reassess their budgets and what they can afford, but they won't stop looking for a home."

Just 6 percent of respondents to a recent survey commissioned by Redfin said they would cancel their home buying plans if rates rose above 5 percent. Twenty-seven percent said it would cause them to slow their search, 25 percent said it would have no impact, 21 percent said it would increase their urgency to buy, and another 21 percent said they would look for a less expensive home.

Market Summary

January
2018

Month-Over-
Month

Year-Over-
Year





Median sale price

$280,500

-2.0%

7.8%

Homes sold

157,400

-29.4%

-7.9%

New listings

232,600

56.9%

-0.2%

All Homes for sale

570,800

-1.7%

-14.4%

Median days on market

53

4

-6

Months of supply

3.6

1

-0.3

Sold above list

19.2%

-0.7%

0.5%

Average Sale-to-list

97.8%

-0.2%

0.1%

San Jose Homes Sold a Month Faster than Last Year

For yet another month, San Jose was the fastest and most competitive market in the country. The typical home found a buyer in 12 days, 30 days fewer than last January. San Jose homes sold for an average of 9 percent over the asking price, which is the highest sale-to-list price ratio Redfin has recorded in that metro area.

"Buyers in San Jose have shown a complete disregard for recent comparable offers and are coming in swinging in order to win a home," said Redfin Silicon Valley agent Kalena Masching. "It has gotten to the point where buyers are submitting preemptive offers that are so good it's not worth the seller to wait for an official offer deadline or the first open house."

Other January Highlights

Competition

Prices

Sales

Inventory

To read the full report, complete with data and charts, please visit the following link: 
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2018/02/market-tracker-january-2018.html

About Redfin 
Redfin (www.redfin.com) is the next-generation real estate brokerage, combining its own full-service agents with modern technology to redefine real estate in the consumer's favor. Founded by software engineers, Redfin has the country's #1 brokerage website and offers a host of online tools to consumers, including the Redfin Estimate, the automated home-value estimate with the industry's lowest published error rate for listed homes. Homebuyers and sellers enjoy a full-service, technology-powered experience from Redfin real estate agents, while saving thousands in commissions. Redfin serves more than 80 major metro areas across the U.S. The company has closed more than $50 billion in home sales.

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, subscribe here. To view Redfin's press center, click here.

 

SOURCE Redfin


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