Real Estate Information Archive

November 25, 2023

 

 

 

HARRY’S THANKSGIVING GREETING

 

 

 

Wishing you and yours a happy, safe, and plentiful Thanksgiving holiday…

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 22, 2024

 

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my “Special Brand of Customer Service”, it is my desire to share current Residential real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable Buyer and Seller.

 

LOOKING AHEAD TO A BRIGHTER 2025 housing market

 

The Residential real estate Market has seen a lot of volatility over the last several years with both buyers and sellers skeptical of “what’s to come”.  

Now is the time of year when I begin to look ahead to develop my “Market Wisdom” for the coming year. I use my 51 plus years in the local housing arena coupled with my investment banking background and the predictions of real estate economists to come up with what I consider to be a realistic picture of the year ahead.

I see our market moving in a positive direction with mortgage rates falling, more homes coming into the market, total home sales to rise and prices to increase at a more reasonable rate than that of several years ago.

This will help with housing affordability for those who were priced out of the market as well as provide better choices for those who have been waiting to sell to trade-up or move to a new neighborhood or out of state.

Existing-home sales across the country ticked up in October compared to the same time last year due to the short-lived drop in mortgage rates.  This was the first year-over-year increase in sales since 2021.

According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “People are accepting that the mortgage rates, the new normal, are not going to be 3% or 4% or 5%.”  

“We’ve seen after presidential elections—and it doesn’t matter who wins—that there’s usually a slight boost in home sales.  It removes some of the uncertainty.  Now you know it’s the policy (of President-elect Trump) and you can make predictions about what will happen and make a decision on that,” he added.

 

Home Sales to Rise

With the improving job numbers and recent gains in the stock market, Yun predicted that more Americans may be motivated to act.  He predicts an uptick of nearly 2 million jobs for 2025 and another nearly 2 million increase in 2026, which could bode well for the housing market nationally. (and here, too, as well)

“2023 and 2024 were both difficult years in the housing market,” Yun said.  But with the 3% year-over-year gain in September and the October year-over-year increase I mentioned earlier, Yun indicated that “maybe the worse is over”.  

 

Here is Yun’s forecast over the next two years:

 

• 2025 Sales Projection:  Existing-home sales to rise 9% year-over-year; New home sales to jump by 11%.

 

• 2026 Sales Projection:  Existing-home sales to rise 13% year-over-year; New home sales to increase by 8%.

 

Mortgage Rates to Moderate

Obviously, mortgage rates have had a bearing on how the housing market has fared.

According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has ranged from 6.08% to 7.44% over the past 52 weeks.  Yun says the rates should stabilize at the low end of that range for 2025 and 2026.

Yun said that the “locked-in” effect of homeowners feeling stuck-in-place with 2% or 3% mortgage rates from recent years will lessen over time.  

 

Home Prices Increase Slowly After Rapid Rises

As I mentioned earlier, home prices are going to continue to rise, although at a more “normalized” rate.

Yun’s forecast (this is national…and Colorado Springs normally tends to have greater home values and increases than the U.S. average):

 

• 2025 Median Home Price:  $410,700, up 2% over 2024.

 

• 2026 Median Home Price:  $420,000, up 2% over 2025.

 

A Different Type of Buyer

From a newly released NAR  2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:

 

• More buyers are skipping the mortgage.  Due to the sizable housing equity gains many owners have experienced, all-cash buyers have surged to record highs, accounting for 26% of home sales over the past year. Thirty-one percent of repeat buyers paid all-cash for their next home purchase.

 

 

• First-time buyers are getting older.  The median age of a first-time buyer was 38—an all-time high.  According to the survey, “They are having to save for a longer period of time or maybe wait for the ‘bank of mom and dad’ to give them the funds to buy” . Twenty-five percent of first-time buyers used a gift or loan from a relative or friend for their home purchase; 20% took money out of financial assets like stocks, 401ks or cryptocurrency to afford homeownership; and 7% used inheritance money for their purchase—a record high.  First-time buyers are coming up with the highest down payments in nearly 30 years—at 9%--in order to afford the higher home prices.

 

 

• The allure of cities grows.  The pandemic may have unleashed a trend of suburban movers, but people are not heading back to city centers—the largest uptick in a decade, according to the study.

 

 

• More buyers are pooling their money.  The number of multigenerational households surged to an all-time high of 17% over the last year.  According to the survey, “The number one reason is for cost savings.  They’re combining incomes in order to afford homeownership.”  They’re also buying a multigenerational home to take care of aging parents because of young adults moving back home.

 

• Single women buyers continue to outpace single men buyers.  A drop in marriage rates has triggered more consumers to enter the housing market on their own.  Single women held a 24% share of the home-purchase market over the past year.  For single men it was 11%.

 

So, folks, there you have it.  Both my predictions and those of Lawrence Yun as well as information from the NAR study.

I also look at what’s happening specifically in the Colorado Springs area and there appears to be a lot of good news there as well.

We keep seeing companies wanting to expand their workforce as well as new companies wanting to relocate here.  With that comes a great need for housing and no matter how you look at it—buying is preferable to renting when it comes to amassing wealth.  Folks who are able will find a way to purchase a home if at all possible.

Our fabulous work/life balance makes Colorado Springs a very desirable place to live as those of us who already live here know.  

I for one wish they would leave their cars elsewhere as the traffic sure has gotten worse in recent years, but in comparison to most other large communities, we’ve got nothing to complain about.  

 

It’s not too early to start implementing a plan for your 2025 buying or selling needs and the sooner we start talking, the sooner you will have that plan ready and you’ll be that much further ahead of those who wait.

I look forward to meeting with you sooner than later because…Time is of the Essence… or “the early bird gets the worm” as they say.  

In this case, the early bird gets the opportunity to grow their personal assets first.  I like to see my clients get a jump on the rest as I know the excellent opportunities of which they can avail themselves.

 

Give me a call today at 719.593.1000 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com and together let’s see how your Residential real estate dreams can become reality in the best time frame for you.

 

And, if you’ve got two minutes and 14 seconds, check out my new and improved video podcast 

                                                            

Click on the link below and you will be directed to my personal YouTube channel.

 

https://youtu.be/HoQKABwbQYg

 

While you’re at it you might want to subscribe to my channel, so you won’t miss future broadcasts.  It won’t cost you anything…well, it could cost you… if you miss some of my informative musings!)

 

November 8, 2024

 

HARRY’S BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

A Current Look at the Colorado Springs Residential real estate Market

As part of my “Special Brand of Customer Service”, it is my desire to share current Residential real estate issues that will help to make you a more successful and profitable Buyer and Seller.

 

 

GREETINGS FROM A SNOWED-IN COLORADO SPRINGS…

 

When I trudged down the driveway to get the mail today, I turned and saw our metal flag buried high in the snow—the top normally reaches my shoulders!!  

As I looked at it I was thinking how much has changed in the last couple of days.  Some are thrilled, some not so much, but I think we can all agree that as Americans it will be nice to hopefully get back to a less contentious time.

I was also thinking how quickly the lovely fall weather turned into a major snowstorm that disrupted travel and plans for lots of folks.  That too will change soon, and we Coloradans can get back to enjoying our great outdoors without freezing and too much snow.

There are lots of statistics to share so I will get to them quickly.  I am confident that the housing market will soon be seeing a lot more action as mortgage rates go down and more homes come on the market.

Things have been slow these last few months, both here and nationally.  In fact, home sales for 2024 are on track for the worst year since 1995—hitting their lowest point in 30 years last month.  Most of that is attributable to the higher mortgage rates, a shortage of available homes for sale and folks waiting for  results of the presidential election.  Many national economists seem hopeful that 2025 will see lower rates which should make homes more affordable for most and we are starting to see more home listings and sales locally.

But no matter what, the slower sales have NOT much affected home values which keep rising here and, in most U.S. major metro areas, as you will see below.  What that means is that homes are NOT going to get any cheaper.  Buying today and refinancing later could be an option, especially considering it’s likely that the home you purchase will be earning equity in the meantime, thus increasing your net wealth.

In my more than 51 years in the local Residential real estate arena I’ve seen most every cycle imaginable, and this is just one of many.  Yes, homes were probably averaging $30,000 or less when I got started, but then I’ve also seen mortgage interest rates as high as 18%. So, like they say…it’s all relative.

All in all, as I perpetually contend, there will always be those who want or need to sell and those who need or want to buy.  And I’ve been here through the years to help them get the very best for their individual wants, needs and budget requirements.  

My investment banking background has been quite helpful in insuring that my clients are able to find the best lending opportunities and I’m proud of the fact that I am now working with not only children, but also grandchildren of some original clients.  That’s such a wonderful full circle thing for me and I never take it for granted.

 

So, without further ado…. here comes lots of statistics.

As always, if you have any questions or just want to chat about the possibilities available for you and your family, you can reach me at 719.593.1000 or email me at Harry@HarrySalzman.com.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

OCTOBER 2024

Statistics provided by the Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp., or it’s PPMLS

Here are some highlights from the October 2024 PPAR report.  You might note that while homes are selling at close to asking price as in the past several months, the days on the market are a tad longer.  I expect both to change if interest rates go down more.

 

In El Paso County, the average days on the market for single family/patio homes was 40.  For condo/townhomes it was 57.  

 

Also in El Paso County, the sales price/list price for single family/patio homes was 98.0% and for condo/townhomes it was 98.9%.  

 

In Teller County, the average days on the market for single family/patio homes was 66 and the sales/list price was 98.0%.

 

Please click here to view the detailed 10-page report, including charts.  If you have any questions about the report or to find out how it relates to your individual situation, just give me a call.

 

In comparing October 2024 to October 2023 for All Homes in PPAR:

                        

                        Single Family/Patio Homes:

·       New Listings were 1,408, Up 18.8%

·       Number of Sales were 998, Up 17.3%

·       Average Sales Price was $557,741, Up 0.1%

·       Median Sales Price was $475,000, Down 2.1%

·       Total Active Listings are 3,394, Up 35.5%

·       Months Supply is 3.4, Down 2.1%

 

 

Condo/Townhomes:

·       New Listings were 198, Up 7.0% 

·       Number of Sales were 159, Up 24.2%

·       Average Sales Price was $353,312, Down 5.3%

·       Median Sales Price was $335,000, Down 4.3%

·       Total Active Listings are 640, Up 69.3%

·       Months Supply is 4.0, Up 2.9%

 

 

OCTOBER 2024 MONTHLY INDICATORS AND LOCAL MARKET UPDATE ILLUSTRATE OUR LOCAL TRENDS IN DETAIL

Colorado Association of REALTORS^{® ,} Pikes Peak REALTORS Service Corp, or it’s PPMLS

Providing greater detail than the above report, this contains information on both El Paso and Teller counties for Residential real estate.  

 

The “Activity Snapshot” for all residential properties in El Paso and Teller counties shows the Year-to-Date one-year change:

 

• Sold Listings for All Properties were Up 21.4%

 

• Median Sales Price for All Properties was Down 2.4%

 

• Active Listings on All Properties were Up 30.1%

 

You can click here to read the 16-page Monthly Indicators or click here to get specific information on the geographical are of your choice from the 18-page Local Market Update.  It’s a good idea to check out your own area or one that you might be considering in order to get a good idea of the local pulse.  As an example, here is a detailed report on the Colorado Springs area:

 

COLORADO SPRINGS HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN THIRD QUARTER 2024

The National Association of Realtors, 11.7.24

In the just released report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), single-family, existing-home prices grew in 87% of measured metro areas.  This is down from 89% the previous quarter.

According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR:

“Home prices remain on solid ground as reflected by the vast number of markets experiencing gains.  A typical homeowner accumulated $147,000 in housing wealth in the last five years.  Even with the rapid price appreciation over the last few years, the likelihood of a market crash is minimal.  Distressed property sales and the number of people defaulting on mortgage payments are both at historic lows.”

Compared to one year ago, the national median single-family existing-home price climbed 3.1% to $418,700.  In the prior quarter, the year-over-year national median price increased 4.9%.

The median price of single-family homes in Colorado Springs rose 1.5% to $473,200 compared to one year ago per NAR.  This price reflects detached, single-family and patio homes but not townhomes or condominiums.  

The median price in the Springs ranked 49^th highest of the 226 cities surveyed.  

Housing affordability slightly improved in the third quarter as mortgage rates trended lower.  The monthly payment (nationally) on a typical existing single-family home with a 20% down payment was $2,137, down 5.5% from the second quarter ($2,262) and 2.4% - or $52 – from one year ago.  Families typically spent 25.2% of their income on mortgage payments, down from 26.9% in the prior quarter and 27.1% one year ago.

“Housing affordability has been a challenge, but the worst appears to be over, Yun said.  “Rising wages are outpacing home price increases.  Despite some short-term swings, mortgage rates are set to stabilize below last year’s levels.  More inventory is reaching the market and providing additional options for consumers.”

To see all 226 metro areas in alphabetical order, please click here.  To see them in ranking order, click here.  Or click here to see what income levels are required to purchase homes based on either a 5, 10 or 20 percent down-payment.

If you have any questions, please give me a call.

 

ERA SHIELDS STAT PACK

Data through October 2024, ERA Shields

Here is data from my company’s monthly “Stat Pack” that can better help you understand the local buying and selling reality.  I have reproduced the first page, and you can click here to get the report in its entirety.

 

ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Data-Driven Economic Strategies, October 2024

As always, I like to share the useful data I receive from our “local economist”, Tatiana Bailey.  You will see in these charts what’s happening locally in terms of the economy as well as the most recent Workforce Progress Report. 

This information is especially invaluable to business owners; however, I know you all will all find it worthwhile reading.

Below is a reproduction of the first page of graphics. To access the full report, please click here.  And if you have any questions, give me a call.

 

 

UCCS ECONOMIC FORUM MONTHLY DASHBOARD   

UCCS College of Business/Economic Forum, Updated October 2024

Here is the monthly report from the UCCS College of Business Economic Forum.  It is created by professor Dr. Bill Craighead, who is the Forum Director.  He also publishes an on-line “Weekly Economic Snapshot” you might enjoy. 

I know several of you who like statistics and use this information in your daily business life, and I will share it with you when I receive it each month.  

I’ve reproduced the first page of the charts below.  To access the report in its entirety, please click here.