Every year since 1984, Windermere associates have dedicated a day of work on Community Service Day, on which we join together to complete neighborhood improvement projects. Community Service Day gives us an opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work. Each of our offices selects a neighborhood project; we clean, landscape and repair parks, playgrounds, schools, shelters and community buildings. June 21st our office will be closed until Noon.
April FAST FACTS
April active listings were 1294, up .8% compared to last year this time
376 new properties went under contract, 2.1% lower than April 2012
261 closings, 11.1% higher than last year this time
Average price of homes is $203,803, $4,093 higher than the same time in 2012
Months of Inventory was 5.0, compared to 5.5 months in April 2012
Inventory is up, pending sales are lower, and closed sales have increased
76 New Construction homes were sold
Current New Construction inventory is 215
This month we have added a new chart for you that shows the average days on the market for the different areas in the Tri-Cities. We can track the average days that homes are on the market before receiving an offer and also track them based on the location of the home. For example, the chart will show you that the average days on market for homes in Southeast Kennewick is 104, and homes in Central Kennewick is 63. There are a lot of reasons why some areas sell faster than others and some areas seem to go in cycles. Please take a moment to check out your area.
As far as the overall Tri-City market, once again steady is normal. Across the board our numbers showed very little change over April 2012. In fact, Active Listings, Under Contract and Average Sold Price were within ± three percent from last year. Kennewick General Hospital is moving forward in Southridge, Kadlec finished the Emergency Room Clinic on Hwy 395 and announced another clinic on Clearwater next to Winco and Benton Franklin Transit opened a new bust stop near the Southridge Sports Complex. A lot of activity continues to happen in the Tri-Cities.
March FAST FACTS
SEQUESTER FURLOUGH NEW DOE SECRETARY LEAKING TANKS?
With headlines like these, you might expect our market to slow down or go into hibernation. However, once again the Tri-Cities market showed its resilience. Buyer activity in March resulted in 407 offers made/accepted, the most sales in the Tri-Cities since April 2010 (the heyday of the Home Buyer Tax Credit Program). While the demand for homes has increased, the supply has remained “normal” for this time of year thus creating some shortages of inventory in select price ranges.
Money Magazine’s headline for April read “Housing is Back!”. Their research stated that 72% of the public believes that their home’s value will increase in 2013, with ¼ of them believing that it will appreciate more than 5%.
Where do you think your home values are headed?
Just drop us an email at YourOpinion@GroupOnetricities.com
FEBRUARY FAST FACTS
What is the old saying? If it’s not broke don’t fix it. That could be said about our local Tri-Cities real estate market. As the weather warms up, we are starting to see multiple offers on homes in certain price ranges. Listing inventory is following the usual trend of previous years. Simply meaning that, as we move toward summer we should see an increase in homes on the market. If you are thinking of moving, get into the market before the competition heats up. It appears that the lending business is loosening up their requirements ever so slightly and programs like the USDA (zero down financing) are allowing buyers additional opportunities as well as benefiting the seller. This financing is area specific so contact your local Realtor for the current boundary lines.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) just updated their Annual Home Price Index for the fourth quarter of 2012. This report tracks the rate of appreciation for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and the news was good for the Tri-Cities. Our current rate of appreciation for 2012 is +1.44%. In the last six years, while most of the country was experiencing a huge depreciation in home prices, the Tri-Cities enjoyed a modest increase of 6.91% (2007-2012). We are looking forward to a very busy year. If we can be of any help please give us a call.
DECEMBER FAST FACTS
• December active listings were 1204, up 12% compared to last year this time
• 217 new properties went under contract, 2.8% higher than December 2011
• 217 closings, 12.1% lower than last year this time
• Average price of homes is $211,230, up $10,699 from the same time in 2011
• Months of Inventory was 5.5, compared to 4.4 months in December 2011
• Inventory is up, pending sales are up, and closed sales are down slightly
• 53 New Construction homes were sold
• Current New Construction inventory is 181
OUR COMMENTARY
As the national real estate market continued to show strong signs of recovery, our local Tri-Cities market continued its steady, consistent trend. December’s numbers were consistent with the overall 2012 activity. When we look year vs. year, our inventory is up over last year, our under contracts are up over last year and our average sold price is up. The trend looks good for 2013. Our local economy survived the workforce transition at the Hanford project and the uncertainty that comes from the Presidential election. There is a lot of interest in our area from not only local and regional investors but also from international investors. The Tri-Cities has room to grow, affordable home prices and a strong economy to support the growth. We see continued steady sales activity and see no pending increase in interest rates for 2013. Stay tuned.
• November active listings were 1307, up 11.7% compared to last year this time
• 274 new properties went under contract, 15.6% higher than November 2011
• 225 closings, 6.6% lower than last year this time
• Average price of homes is $203,813, up $3,889 from the same time in 2011
• Months of Inventory was 5.8, compared to 4.9 months in November 2011
• Inventory is up, pending sales are up, and closed sales are down slightly
• 61 New Construction homes were sold
• Current New Construction inventory is 193
The elections are over, and after all of the pledges, promises and debates, our local real estate market continues to chug along. Activity remained strong and con- sistent with just a “normal” slow down during the 10 days before the actual elec- tion. A national organization reported that the Tri-Cities area ranked 6th in the nation in “the fastest growing” communities and predicted 7.4% population growth over the next 5 years.
The national real estate experts are predicting that the young adults (18-34) will be re-entering the market in 2013. This segment of potential buyers have been sitting on the sidelines while they look for jobs, pay off student debt and build their credit. Their delay in entering the market (despite great interest rates) has created a pent-up demand and may create increased activity in 2013.
• October active listings were 1366, up 10.7% compared to last year this time
• 315 new properties went under contract, 5.4% higher than October 2011
• 270 closings, 16.1% higher than last year this time
• Average price of homes is $204,346, up $804 from the same time in 2011
• Months of Inventory was 5.1, compared to 6.1 months in September
• Inventory is up, pending sales are up, and closed sales are up 16.4%
• 74 New Construction homes were sold
• Current New Construction Inventory is 215
With the holidays right around the corner, some sellers are trying to decide if they should even enter the real estate market yet this year. However, October’s numbers show that buyers are still buying, with an increase of over 5% in new contracts written vs. October 2011. Contact your local Realtor and ask about sales activity in your neighborhood. Buyer activity continues to remain strong, interest rates continue at record lows, and the turnover of inventory seems to be keeping the buyers’ attention. If a move is in your future and you are willing to work around the holiday season, it appears to be a good time to sell.
The Tri-Cities had 384 new properties go under contract in April 2012, up 22% from April 2011. As of the end of April 2012, active inventory was 1284, a 13.8% increase from April 2011. There were 231 closings in April 2012, compared to 255 in April 2011. Months of Inventory was 5.6, up from 4.4 in April 2011. The average price of homes sold April 2012 was $199,242, $3020 higher than the same time in 2011.
Our Commentary
The number of homes for sale continues to increase as the weather warms up. Historically, more homes come on the market during the spring and summer than other times of the year. We have a good variety of new and resale homes for sale, and interest rates continue to be at all-time lows. There is good buyer activity in our market, offers are being made and accepted by the sellers. Our struggle continues with getting the loans closed. We are seeing continued pressure on the lending institutions by government regulations and oversight. Unfortunately, we see this trend continuing throughout the summer. Overall, with good market activity and contracts being written and accepted, patience is still needed in getting transactions to closing.
The Tri-Cities had 334 new properties go under contract in February 2012, up 19.7% from February 2011. As of the end of February 2012, active inventory was 1162, an 18.7% increase from February 2011, but consistent with inventory levels for the 4th quarter of 2011. There were 167 closings in February 2012, compared to 170 in February 2011. Months of Inventory was 7.0, up from 5.8 in February 2011. The average price of homes sold February 2012 was $203,108 up $4,666 from the same time in 2011.
As we look at the market statistics, we still see consistent activity and excellent buyer traffic. Our biggest challenge is closing the properties. Lenders and underwriters continue to struggle closing transactions, forcing extensions on contracts, and in some cases, the cancellation of transactions. Great interest rates, increased inventory and affordable prices provide an excellent buying opportunity. Buyers just need to stay the course and be patient with their lenders to get their purchases closed.
For more information about homes for sale in Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Pasco and the surrounding communities, please contact us.
The Tri-Cities had 245 new properties go under contract in January 2012, up 9% from January 2011. As of the end of January 2012, active inventory was 1128, an 18.2% increase from January 2011, but consistent with inventory levels for the 4th quarter of 2011. There were 152 closings in January 2012, compared to 161 in January 2011. Months of Inventory was 7.4, up from 5.9 in January 2011. The average price of homes sold January 2012 was $204,551 up $12,533 from the same time in 2011.
The new year has started off strong and robust. Sales activity is very strong with 245 offers written and accepted in January. This is a nice increase from 2011, and over 100 more sales than January 2009.
Interest rates remain low and should stay there through the summer of 2013. We believe that owning a home will always be a great long term investment and an important part of a balanced investment portfolio.
For more information about homes for sale in Richland, West Richland, Pasco, Kennewick and the surrounding communities, please contact us.
Windermere Group One/Tri-Cities
490 Bradley Blvd.
Richland, WA 99352
