Housing Market News January 7, 2016

King County Had Almost Half of 2015’s 30 Most Competitive Neighborhoods in America

We probably don’t need to tell you that 2015 was a crazy year in real estate, especially in our area. Bidding wars and listings lasting mere days on the market is something we’ve all grown accustomed to. But it turns out we’re not alone. Curbed recently published an article that focused on the 30 most competitive neighborhoods in America. What’s the most mind blowing thing about this list? Of the 30 neighborhoods listed, 13 of them are in King County.

2015-competitive-markets

The Eastside was well represented on this list with Bellevue and Redmond making huge claims. Overlake was was the second-most competitive market in the entire nation! Honorable mentions were Grass Lawn (#7), Newport Hills (#14), Idylwood (#28), and Newport (#30).

It’s hard to say exactly what 2016 has in store, but our very own Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, has a few ideas (such as expecting that housing in Seattle will continue to appreciate in value, but at a slightly lower rate than 2015).

Read more on Seattle Curbed.

Local Market Updates August 20, 2015

Local Market Update August 2015

We’re still having record heat in the Puget Sound region, and our home prices are rising with the thermometer. It’s still a roaring seller’s market out there, especially on the Eastside. We continue to have local markets in dire need of inventory, so this is an excellent time to list your home and take advantage of the current market.

• The months supply of inventory continues to decline from the prior year in Seattle and the Eastside, as well as King and Snohomish counties.
• Closed sales on the Eastside have started to decrease in number due to seasonal trends and lowered inventory.
• The majority of those Eastside closed sales in July sold over original list price.

Eastside

Click image to view full report.The Eastside had the highest increase in home sales prices since last July, increasing 9 percent to $681,600. We continue to have the highest median home prices in the region. Inventory had the slightest increase since June's 1.1 months of inventory with July holding 1.2 months (a balanced market reflects 3 to 6 months of inventory). Total closed sales dropped to 932, 3 percent less than July 2014 and 5 percent than last month's 981 total closed sales on the Eastside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

King County

Click image to view full report. Inventory actually increased for the third month in a row, but was still held at a stark 1.1 months supply. While median sales prices fell 3 percent from the previous month, July's sales prices were still 4 percent higher than the previous year at $485,000. With inventory so low and the county's higher prices, many potential buyers are being pushed farther out than they would have previously wanted to buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snohomish County

Click image to view full report.Snohomish County has increased its median sales price 8 percent since July 2014 to $362,987 last month. It holds a stronger, though less than normal, inventory of 1.5 months. The number of closed sales has increased sharply to 1,156 in July, a 19% increase since the previous year. While many potential buyers are being forced out of the Eastside and the Seattle area, Snohomish County proves to be a less expensive and more promising market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Market Updates May 19, 2015

Local Market Update May 2015

Continued strong demand has pushed home prices in King County over their 2007 peak. Faced with record low inventory and anxiety about rising interest rates, buyers are snapping up homes as soon as they come on the market. What is tough news for buyers is a boon for sellers. A recent analysis of home sales in King County showed that 41 percent sold for over list price. • Both closed sales and pending sales (agreements that have been signed but not yet closed) in King County were up by double digits over last March. • Home prices continued their steady rise. • April was the sixth consecutive month of record-low inventory.

Eastside

Click image to view full report.

Click image to view full report.

Both home sales and home prices on the Eastside rose in April. The number of closed sales were up by 15 percent over last year. The median price of a single family home was up 6 percent to $654,650. Stiff competition for homes was exacerbated by lack of inventory, with just one month supply available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King County

Click image to view full report.

Click image to view full report.

April was the second month in a row that King County had less than one month of available inventory. (A supply of three to six months is considered balanced.) The number of closed sales climbed 17 percent over the same time last year. The median price of a single family home in King County rose 11 percent over last year to $480,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the original article on the Windermere Eastside blog.