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ATX Market in a Minute, March 2018


The Austin housing market continues to show increased demand, with double-digit percent increases in sales in March 2018 according to the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR). The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced a 10.5 percent increase in sales compared to the same time last year, the March 2018 Central Texas Housing Market Report found.

“Last month, 2,714 single-family homes were sold in the five-county Central Texas region, which is more sales than any March we’ve seen on record,” Steve Crorey, 2018 president of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, said. “This type of growth early in the year indicates a strong summer selling season ahead. Those who are interested in buying or selling a home this summer should seek out the services of a REALTOR®.”

In the Austin-Round Rock MSA, the median price of single-family homes increased 3.5 percent to $305,233. Housing inventory levels decreased 0.2 months from March 2017 to 2.2 months of inventory.

“Historically, it’s common for some homes to be on the market for 50 days or more, even in markets with strong housing demand,” Crorey, said. “Within the city of Austin and other local markets with limited inventory, homes are spending a fraction of time on the market—as little as two weeks in some areas. This is an indicator of just how competitive it’s become to purchase a home in and around Austin.”

In the Austin-Round Rock MSA, homes priced between $150,000-$250,000 stayed on the market less than 50 days on average. In the city of Austin, single-family homes in this price range spent, on average, between 27-35 days on the market in March 2018 due to the critically low supply of homes within Austin.

“Demand for homes priced below $250,000 is driving the emergence of new submarkets like Manor and Del Valle, where builders can construct homes at a lower cost,” Vaike O’Grady, Austin regional director for Metrostudy, said. “We’re also seeing creative land plans that provide common area open space to offset smaller lot and home sizes. Attached single-family homes are also coming to the market to meet buyer demand for more affordable housing.”

 

Click here to see the complete report on the Market Activity for Central Texas.

Source: Austin Board of Realtors
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February North Texas Real Estate Trends

We don’t want you to be uniformed with the current market, unsure of where to go to find this information or who to trust for up-to-date data… so the Hunt Team will be releasing monthly reports on the Texas markets, which you can find on this site.

This post will be discussing the prior month’s report (February 2018):

The three most prominent national market trends for residential real estate are the ongoing lack of abundant inventory, the steadily upward movement of home prices and year-over-year declines in home sales. Sales declines are a natural result of there being fewer homes for sale, but higher prices often indicate higher demand leading to competitive bidding. Markets are poised for increased supply, so there is hope that more sellers will take advantage of what appears to be a ready and willing buyer base.

In February, prevailing mortgage rates continued to rise. This has a notable impact on housing affordability and can leave consumers choosing between higher payments or lower-priced homes. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with a 20 percent down payment that qualify for backing by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose to its highest level since January 2014. A 4.5 or 4.6 percent rate might not seem high to those with extensive real estate experience, but it is newly high for many potential first-time home buyers. Upward rate pressure is likely to continue as long as the economy fares well.

Click here to see the complete report on the Market Activity for the North Texas Region.