Florida Real Estate, Tourism and Immigration News

Home sales up, median prices down

The Orlando Regional Realtor Association reported completed sales on 2,429 homes in August, a 10.91 percent increase over August 2009’s 2,109.

To date, Orlando-area home sales are up 36.12 percent over this time in 2009, ORRA said.

“As expected, sales have been softer following the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit,” said ORRA Chairman Kathleen Gallagher McIver of Re/Max Town & Country Realty. “However, since May, the number of new contracts has continued to climb as consumers take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and historically high housing affordability.”

Other findings from the ORRA report:

• The number of new contracts filed in August 2010 — 3,892 — represents an increase of 17.09 percent more than were filed in August 2009 (3,324).

• The area’s pending sales statistic — an indicator of future sales activity — also is at a record high with 8.6 percent more homes (8,945) under contract and awaiting closing in August of this year than in August of last year (8,237).

• The median price of all existing homes combined sold in August 2010 decreased 21.95 percent to $99,900 from the $128,000 recorded in August 2009. August 2010’s median price is a decrease of 8.1 percent compared to July 2010’s median of $108,700.

• The median price for “normal” sales is $165,900 (down 5.20 percent from last month’s $175,000). The median price for bank-owned sales is $70,000 (down 2.78 percent from last month’s $72,000), and the median price for short sales is $100,000 (down from last month’s $116,000).

“With foreclosures and short sales dominating the market, the median price continues to be lowered,” said McIver. “Plus, the rise in popularity of lower-priced condominiums has put additional downward pressure on prices.”

• Homes of all types spent an average of 84 days on the market before coming under contract in August 2010, and the average home sold for 95.04 percent of its listing price. In August 2009 those numbers were 94 and 94.44 percent, respectively.

• There are 16,535 homes available for purchase through the MLS. Inventory decreased by 28 homes from July 2010, which means that 28 more homes exited the market than entered the market.

• Condo sales in the Orlando area increased by 43.28 percent in August when compared to August of 2009 and increased by 5.89 percent compared to July of this year. To date, condo sales are up 74.09 percent (4,596 condos sold to date in 2010, compared to 2,640 by this time in 2009).

Orlando MSA numbers reflect sales of homes located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties.

ORLANDO, Florida, November 2008 – Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 5 percent in third quarter 2008 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest housing statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A total of 33,203 existing homes sold statewide in 3Q 2008; during the same period last year, a total of 31,558 existing homes sold statewide.

“Coming on the heels of positive sales activity in September, Florida’s existing home sales are once again above year-ago levels in the third quarter,” says 2008 FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio. “Despite lending restrictions and the difficulties of finding affordable credit, we’re seeing buyers take advantage of homeownership opportunities in the current market – buyers who want to make a long-term investment in their future. And, more than ever, people are turning to Florida Realtors to find the professional expertise, knowledge and friendly guidance they need to make the complex process of buying or selling their home go more easily and smoothly.”

The statewide existing-home median sales price was $185,400 in the third quarter; a year ago, it was $233,200 for a decrease of 20 percent. In 2003, the third-quarter statewide median sales price was $163,700, which reflects an increase of about 13.3 percent over the five-year period. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

Twelve of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased sales of existing homes in the third quarter compared to the same three-month-period a year ago, while seven MSAs also showed gains in condo sales. A number of local markets have reported increased sales activity over the past few months, according to FAR.

Florida Realtors continued to report positive signs for the state’s housing sector in the third quarter, including an increase in pending home sales (based on contracts signed but not closed) and a slower rate of expansion of inventory levels in some areas.

To gain insight into current trends in Florida’s real estate industry, the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies conducts a quarterly survey of industry executives, market research economists, real estate scholars and other experts. According to the third quarter 2008 survey, the investment outlook for various types of properties remains steady. “People who have responded to our surveys have not lost their faith in Florida as a place to be and a place to invest,” said Dr. Wayne Archer, director of UF’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies. “We have 40 pages of comments from our respondents, and although the dominant theme is the disruption of financing, perhaps the second theme, as one person put it, is people being on the sidelines with full pads and helmets just waiting to jump back in.”

Over the long term, Florida stands to benefit from the migration of new residents, particularly as baby boomers age, Archer said, adding that the Sunshine State’s mild climate and outdoor amenities continue to make it an attractive retirement destination.

In the year-to-year quarterly comparison for condo sales, 9,472 units sold statewide for the quarter compared to 9,680 in 3Q 2007 for a 2 percent decrease. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $160,000 for the three-month period; in 3Q 2007, it was $196,000 for an 18 percent decrease.

Continuing low mortgage rates remain another favorable influence on the housing sector. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.32 percent in third quarter 2008; one year earlier, it averaged 6.55 percent.

The latest industry outlook from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) cautions the housing sector likely faces disruptions from the still-stabilizing credit market. “Inventory remains high, and price declines are pressuring owners,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Additional housing stimulus would stabilize prices more quickly, which in turn would bring faster stability to Wall Street. Removing the repayment feature on the first-time buyer tax credit and permanently raising loan limits would bring more buyers into the market and further reduce inventory.”

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS