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Weekly Update: July 13, 2020

We’re halfway through the year and many are curious to know how the real estate market is measuring up to past years – especially with this year’s added challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. While we expect some bumps in the road in the coming months, as of today, the market looks good.

Mortgage rates continue to decline. Last week mortgage rates dropped to an average of 3.03% for the 30-year-fixed rate. This new low has helped spur both home sales and refinances.

Consumer sentiment is moving in the right direction. Consumer sentiment is one of the most important metrics in determining the health of the real estate market. For June, consumer sentiment came in at 78.1, up from May’s low of 72.3.

Inventory remains low and people are still looking to buy. Active inventory was down 10% in the first week of July compared to the same week in 2019, while new listing volume was up by 22%. Showing activity of homes on the market was up 27.6%.

Median sale prices rose while homes sold faster. In most areas, median sale prices of homes were up slightly in June. The average number of days homes spent on the market fell by about 2 days.

The stock market is up. Rising numbers in the stock market can likely be attributed to good employment numbers from June as well as hopes for a vaccine for COVID-19. Last month brought another 4.8 million jobs, which was higher than predicted, and unemployment fell to 11.1%.

The bottom line is if you’re planning to sell, I recommend putting your house on the market before fall. There are many buyers out there who are ready and waiting for more inventory to come on the market, and presidential election years typically come with a slowdown in home sales in the weeks surrounding the election. Similarly, if you’re looking to buy, let me know. We can start your virtual house hunt today.

Let me know if you have additional questions. I’m happy to assist you with your real estate needs.

Weekly Update: June 26, 2020

As we approach the end of June, most states are gradually reopening businesses and pent-up demand for housing is driving a busier than usual summer. Buyers and sellers are cautiously re-entering the real estate market, and with their return, here are some trends we tracked this past week.

Mortgage rates. Compared to the previous week, mortgage rates were flat but remain at all-time lows, allowing buyers to purchase more home for their money.

Stock market. The Dow remained volatile, but it was down by week’s end, due to the rise in the number of reported coronavirus cases.

Unemployment claims. Although 1.48 million people applied for unemployment, there’s been a steady decline of claims for 12 consecutive weeks.

On the real estate side, year-over-year listings were flat, but new contracts increased by double-digits. Home showings were over 30% greater compared to the same week in 2019, demonstrating high consumer demand for housing.

Window of opportunity. Historically, national elections bring uncertainty that can lead to a slight lull in real estate the fall before that election. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, the time to do so is now.

As usual, the health and safety of our clients is our priority. Our virtual buying and selling programs continue to lead our customers on their journeys home. If you’d like to know more about how I can help you, virtually or in person, with your home-buying or selling needs, I’m ready to assist you.

Weekly Update: June 12, 2020

It’s been an interesting and historic week for our economy and the real estate industry. As states and businesses open, a few trends have emerged.

Mortgage rates. This week, rates dipped below 3% for the first time ever, allowing buyers to get more home for their money.

Unemployment claims. About 1.5 million people applied for unemployment, which was the lowest number we’ve seen since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began.

Stock market. The Dow was volatile this week, and we are expecting continued market fluctuations as we move through the health crisis.

“Spring” market. In real estate, the busy spring market traditionally occurs in April and May, and it has shifted to June and July. Upward positive trends continue, fueled by pent-up demand and the dip in mortgage rates. Although inventory dropped this week, 80% of the homes that were previously taken off the market have now been actively listed for sale. Property showings were up by double-digits compared to the same time last year and at the highest levels we’ve seen since February.

To stay updated on what’s happening in your market, or for professional guidance through the process of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to contact me via phone or email.

Wishing good health to you, your friends and family.

Weekly Update: June 5

It was a busy week in the real estate market, with trends continuing to move in the right direction. Mortgage interest rates decreased to 3.15%, which helped spur a 18% jump in mortgage applications compared to the year prior. In contrast, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was starting about six weeks ago, mortgage applications were down 35% annually.

The stock market also moved upward, fueled by an extremely positive jobs report. While economists were estimating unemployment would hit 20%, reports instead showed that 2.5 million jobs were added in May. That’s the biggest increase the country has experienced in the history of tracking those numbers.

On the real estate side, the volume of home showings last month was higher than it was in both May 2019 and 2018. Just last week, Long & Foster, as a company, had over 1,000 new listings and wrote contracts for over $760 million in homes. We believe real estate’s strong performance in May will set the tone for June and July.

As we focus on positive economic indicators, we also wanted to acknowledge this was an emotional week for our country. I’m proud to be affiliated with Long & Foster, a company that supports diversity, equality and opportunity, and that condemns intolerance, racism, bigotry and any other forms of hatred and injustice.

Please reach out to me with any questions you have about the real estate market and let me know how I can help you. As always, stay safe and healthy.

Weekly Update: May 29, 2020

With coronavirus-related restrictions easing and the economy reopening, real estate activity has been trending in a positive direction. At Long & Foster Real Estate, we are cautiously optimistic about the future.

While transactions have declined since March, they did not drop as much as many industry experts predicted. May has been more favorable, with increasing numbers of properties under contract and new listings across the Mid-Atlantic, according to MLS data.

Here are a few other promising economic metrics.

A balanced market. Inventory shortages have prevailed for the last 48 months. While the number of homes for sale remains low, demand for properties has leveled out. This allows qualified buyers to get the home they want with low interest rates.

Property appreciation. In April, the median sale price increased 9.3% and the average sale price was up by 7.2%. Provided housing demand continues to outpace supply, home prices should remain stable, if not increasing.

Quicker home sales. It took 11 fewer days to sell a home in April than it did in March, resulting in a 38.9% decrease in the average number of days that a property remains on the market.

Consumer confidence increase. Although consumer confidence was expected to decline from April to May, it rose month-over-month. We expect to see continued upward movement going forward, as businesses reopen and further progress is made toward a vaccine.

I’ll continue to keep you updated on the real estate market and the effects we’re seeing from the pandemic. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.

Selling or Buying from Home

While the COVID-19 pandemic is causing many things in work and life to change rapidly, my commitment—and my company’s commitment—to our clients and your safety remains unchanged. That’s why we’ve put processes in place for buyers and sellers to work with our team and conduct business virtually, from contract to close.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, we can meet virtually to discuss what you’re looking for and tour properties digitally. When you find your new home, we can write an offer with our secure online tools and get closing and moving scheduled with Long & Foster’s partners—all while following CDC guidelines and recommendations from state and local governments.

The same applies if you’re selling a home. I can virtually list your property, open doors to potential buyers with online tours, use our secure remote system for contracts, and safely close with our settlement partners.

Using Long & Foster’s integrated network of services makes the difference to our real estate success, now more than ever. Working as a team, we’ll help keep you, our valued clients, safe while continuing to meet your real estate needs with the same unsurpassed customer service.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the current real estate market or our virtual home buying and selling procedures. As ever, I’m here for you and only a phone call or email away.

Weekly Update: July 13, 2020

Weekly Update: June 26, 2020

Weekly Update: June 12, 2020

Weekly Update: June 5

Weekly Update: May 29, 2020

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