Monday, June 3, 2013

Home Sales Heating Up!

Cache County Home Sales broke the century mark in May for the first time this year. If you don't count the artificially stimulated May sales of 2010, this is also the first time more than a hundred homes have sold during May since 2008.

The 108 residential home sales represent a 32.4% increase from April, and a 13% increase from May of 2012.



All around the country we are seeing the housing market boom. The Salt Lake area is seeing ultra low inventory and double digit price appreciation. Fortunately, Cache Valley has not yet seen the extreme housing shifts being felt along the Wasatch Front. Compared with one year ago, the median price of homes sold during May is up 5.5%. The average sales price is down by almost 2%.
One thing preventing rapid price appreciation despite the increase in sales is that real estate inventory in Cache County is also increasing. The supply of newly listed homes for sale is helping to meet the increase in demand. Right now there are 691 residential listings found on the MLS. This is an 6.5% increase from a month ago, and puts us at about the same level we saw in June of last year. While mortage interest rates are still incredibly low, we are starting to see a slight rise in rates which is motivating many potential buyers to begin the house hunting process. It's a great time to buy Cache County real estate.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Real Estate Inventory Rising

With the improving weather, the number of people listing their homes for sale is on the rise. There are about sixty more homes for sale in Cache County than a month ago.
While the number of listings is up, the 647 residential homes for sale is less than the 681 that were listed during May of last year.

April was a fairly quiet month for residential real estate sales. Seventy three homes sold which is up slightly from April of 2012 when 71 properties sold.

Cache County real estate prices apear to be on the rise. Month over month prices are up for both list and sales prices. During April, the median sales price was $162,500, and the average sold price was $173,364.

 While mortgage interest rates saw a slight rise, they seem to be back down again. Qualified buyers can obtain thirty year fixed rate mortgages for just 3.375%. It's a great time to buy, and the selection of real estate for sale is on the rise.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Home Sales Slow Down During February

The numbers are in, and home sales in Cache County actually slowed down during February. According to MLS statistics, 56 residential properties sold last month. This is down 16.42% from January, and 3.45% from February of 2012.

There are a couple of reasons that might explain why home sales are down this year compared with last year. The limited inventory discourages buyers from actually purchasing. In addition, a year ago we had a very warm January. This year was the third coldest January on record. Weather does influence home buyers attitudes towards house hunting and considering to move.

While sales slowed, the amount of inventory didn't rise much. Right now there are 531 active residential houses for sale, up just nine from a month ago. These inventory numbers are still quite low. There haven't been this few homes for sale at the beginning of March since 2007.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

January Home Sales Best in Five Years


January is typically the slowest month of the year for home sales in cold Cache Valley. It’s following the holiday season, when people don’t spend a lot of time house hunting. And lets face it, it’s not very motivating to shop for real estate on cold dark winter days. Nevertheless, home sales during January have started off well.
Sixty seven MLS listed homes sold during January, an increase of nearly 42% from January of 2012. This is the best January of home sales since the stimulus inflated sales of 2008.
Logan Home Sales for Last 5 Years
With the new year, more people have decided to put their homes on the market. For the first time since July, the number of active real estate listings has actually increased, Right now there are 522 residential homes in Cache County listed on the MLS, up twenty from this time a month ago. This is 54 less homes for sale than January of last year.


Home prices appear to be increasing. We’ve had four straight months, and ten of the last twelve, where year over year sales prices have been up. Depending on what happens with overall inventory, new construction, and purchase demand, we could see a significant impact in real estate appreciation in 2013.


Source: RealEstateLogan.com


Monday, January 7, 2013

Cache County Real Estate Inventory At 5 Year Low

If you've been looking for real estate in Cache County, and haven't been able to find that perfect home, you're not alone. Real estate inventory in the Logan area is the lowest it's been since January of 2008. December home sales were up nearly 7% compared with a year ago.

Right now there are 502 residential homes for sale in Cache County, Utah. During August of 2010, there were 906 residential homes listed on the MLS. The current inventory is down 45% from the peak.



What does this mean? It means the real estate market is shifting towards that of a "sellers market". When there is limited inventory (right now), multiple buyers compete for the same properties -- giving the negotiating advantage to sellers. During sellers markets, home prices rise.

If you're looking to buy, don't panic, but get serious. Home prices always lag behind sales, and most people don't want to go house hunting during bitter cold Cache Valley winters. Right now real estate prices are still very low. In fact, during December the median home sales price of $148,500, was one of the lowest we've seen in the last five years.

The other good thing is that mortgage interest rates are still at all time low levels. Thirty year fixed mortgage rates can be obtained for less than 3.5%, and 15 year fixed mortgages are available for less than 3%.

It's a great time to buy. View all active real estate listings online at UtahCornerstone.com



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

November Home Sales Rise

After a slight blip in the positive sales trends last month, once again Cache County home sales have improved.

 November home sales are up 15.38% compared with November of last year, and up 1.28% from October sales.
The average price of homes sold last month was $180,960 with a median price at $169,450. Logan real estate inventory continues to decline. Right now there are 545 residential properties listed for sale on the MLS. The median list price of these homes is $179,850.


At Novembers home sales pace, we have a "balanced" real estate market with 6.99 months of active inventory.

The positive real estate trends should continue in December and January as their are currently 164 under contract homes. The number was 110 at this time last year.

It doesn't look like real estate values will substantially rise any time soon, but it certainly doesn't look like we will see values drop any more.

If you can find a good property, it's a great time to buy Cache Valley Real Estate. Click this link to start your home search now.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Cache County Real Estate Inventory at 4 Year Low

Right now there are just 564 residential homes for sale in Cache County, Utah that are listed on the MLS. This is the lowest real estate inventory has been since March of 2008. There are more than a hundred less homes than were listed at this time last year, and 280 less homes listed than November of 2010.

As fall turns to winter it's common for real estate inventory to decline -- lets face it, nobody wants to move in the middle of a Cache County winter. But, the rate of decline is a big indicator of the recovering local real estate market.

While the real estate market is clearly recoverying, October wasn't exactly the strongest month for real estate sales. 77 residential homes sold, which is down 1.28% from last year and 2.53% from last month.

The average price of residential homes sold during October was $170,319, with a median price at $155,000.



It looks as if November and December real estate sales will be better than average. Right now there are 169 pending home sales. This is up from 148 under contract homes at this time last month.
Homes are still inexpensive, and real estate mortgage rates are still at all time lows. Start your home search by clicking this link.