Single Family Home Sales Statistics
Land Sales Statistics
Overall Market View
Leverage Your Selling Power
While it may not be anything to “write home about,” it is reassuring that the market in the Highlands/Cashiers area is holding steady. Unit sales for April 2016 show normal sales for the last few years. Although April 2016 did see a 17% increase over April 2015, this is only 4 more homes sold.
FSBO’s (For Sale By Owner’s) need to leverage everything at their disposal to get their home sold. We are currently selling just over 2% of current inventory. There are approximately 200 brokers involved in making these sales happen. Although FSBO’s may pay a fee to be in an MLS, if they are not in the HCBOR/MLS local brokers may not be seeing their homes. If you’re a FSBO and want to know if you’re in the local MLS, just contact this broker or use this SEARCH FOR HOMES.
There is an expected increase of home sales as we move into our busy season, as seen in the chart below. However, you need to be well positioned to attract buyers. What one must also remember is that sales are typically 30-45 days out from the time a buyer makes an offer on a home to closing. So the statistics below should actually be shifted back, as these stats are based upon “closing” dates. (Click image for larger format)
RECENT HOME SALES (APRIL 2016):
Total homes listed in Highlands/Cashiers MLS: 1254 – This is nearly 100 more homes added to our inventory since last month.
Homes Sold This Month: 28.
Average Sales per Month 1 Year Average: 45 Since we have a “short” selling season, we use the 1 year average sells per month for statistical purposes.
Inventory: 27 months – Remember, a healthy market inventory is considered to be 6 months or less. As the number of homes coming onto the market increase, we should expect the months of inventory to increase. This may continue to keep holding home prices down.
DOM: 447
Average DOM (YOY): 447 This number has dropped and now matches our DOM, which is a positive sign.
Median Sales Price: $292,850 – This number continues to hover near the $300,000 mark. This is also a better indicator in that it shows the “middle” of the market.
Average List/Sell Ratio: 90.21% -Take into consideration this is not the ratio from the “Original” List Price, but the ratio from the price it was listed when sold. The data from “Original List Price” shows the ratio to be at 88%. This is a strong indicator that buyers consider listed home prices as too high .
Synopsis: Selling a home is not easy in this market. One should consider listing at a price to attract the most buyers. Listing like others means you will have to deal with Substitution. Sellers should price competitively, not comparatively.
RECENT LAND SALES (APRIL 2016)
Land Units Sold: 12
Total listed in all MLS: 1234-This number is rising, as expected. More properties added means more competition.
Inventory: 94 months. We gained 10 months worth of inventory from the new listings added in April. One property with an assessment of $125,000 sold for $2,000. Another assessed at $160,310 sold for $61,900. Large inventories do not help land prices.
Synopsis: No demand and large inventory means low pricing.
Overall Market View:
- 39% of home sales ranged from $200,000 to $499,999. This is the major portion of market sales.
- 21% of home sales ranged from $500,000 – $749,999. This was another significant rise in homes in this price range.
- 14% of sales were above $1,000,000.
- While unit sales are expected to increase, so is inventory. As a result, no change in opportunity for “expected” sales.
Sellers, this is a tough market. While the number of homes is expected to rise significantly in the coming months, so is the number of homes that come back onto the market. In essence, no real change in opportunities to sell is expected, unless one has the pricing to entice buyers.
Buyers, more homes and land will be coming available. No doubt, you will find a home or property. However, is that a bargain or will you end up upside down? You should find a broker that is very familiar with this area and its market.
If you’re considering listing your home for sale or purchasing a home in NC, please feel free to contact a local agent or REALTOR®. They will make a specific report for your area of our MLS (Sapphire, Norton, Glenville, Highlands, Toxaway, Clear Creek, Breedlove, etc). You can then make an informed decision on how to sell or buy your home.
