Lake Martin waterfront homes listed for sale up from previous month

By: ACRE Research

Sales: According to the Lake Martin Association of Realtors, waterfront-area residential sales totaled 11 units during January, down 15.4 percent from 13 sales in the same month a year earlier. Results were two sales below the five-year January average of 13 sales.

For all waterfront-area home sales data, click here.

Inventory: Homes listed for sale in the waterfront area during January totaled 223 units, an increase of 27.4 percent from January 2018’s 175 units and an increase of 17.4 percent from December 2018’s 190 units.

Pricing: The Lake Martin waterfront median sales price in January was $410,000, a decrease of 1.2 percent from one year ago and a decrease of 41.8 percent from the prior month. This direction is inconsistent with historical data (2014-18) indicating that the January median sales price on average increases from December by 1.1 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days spent on the market (DOM) by waterfront homes that sold during January was 208 days, a decrease of 6.7 percent from 223 days in January 2018, and a decrease of 1.4 percent from 211 days in December.

Forecast: January sales were one unit, or 8.3 percent, below the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 12 sales for the month and actual sales were 11 units. ACRE forecast a total of 288 residential sales in the waterfront area in 2019, while there were 346 sales in 2018.

ACRE’s statewide perspective: After a strong 2018, statewide residential sales in January increased 1.1 percent year-over-year from 3,320 to 3,358 closed transactions. Home price appreciation in the state continued to climb as the median sales price in January increased 5.5 percent year-over-year from $143,152 to $151,015. Although nationwide inventory levels are trending upward, Alabama’s residential listings decreased 7.4 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a significant factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory levels, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during January spent an average of 106 days on the market, an improvement of 10 days from 2018.

NAR’s national perspective: During January, total existing-home sales nationwide declined 9 percent from approximately 313,000 closed transactions one year ago to 285,000 currently. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said, “Existing home sales in January were weak compared to historical norms; however, they are likely to have reached a cyclical low. Moderating home prices combined with gains in household income will boost housing affordability, bringing more buyers to the market in the coming months.”

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Lake Martin waterfront December home listings increase from a year ago

By: ACRE Research

Sales: According to the Lake Martin Association of Realtors, waterfront-area residential sales totaled 16 units during December, down 30.4 percent from 23 sales in the same month a year earlier. Results were 23.1 percent below the five-year December average of 21 sales.

Inventory: Homes listed for sale in the waterfront area during December totaled 190 units, an increase of 26.7 percent from December 2017’s 150 units and a decrease of 15.9 percent from November 2018’s 226 units.

Pricing: The Lake Martin waterfront median sales price in December was $704,500, an increase of 115.4 percent from one year ago and an increase of 29.3 percent from the prior month. This direction is consistent with historical data (2013-17) indicating that the December median sales price on average increases from November by 4.1 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days spent on the market (DOM) by waterfront homes that sold during December was 211 days, an increase of 26.3 percent from 167 days in December 2017, and an increase of 50.7 percent from 140 days in November.

Forecast: December sales were three units, or 15.8 percent, below the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 19 sales for the month and actual sales were 16 units. ACRE forecast a total of 346 residential sales in the waterfront area in 2018, while there were 297 actual sales.

ACRE’s statewide perspective: While nationwide sales declined 4.5 percent during November, residential sales in Alabama continued to grow. Total residential sales in Alabama increased 6.9 percent year-over-year from 4,311 to 4,606 closed transactions. Year-to-date through November, statewide residential sales are up 7 percent from 53,056 one year ago to 56,769 currently. Home price appreciation in the state continued to climb as the median sales price in November increased 3.2 percent year-over-year from $151,667 to $156,587. The year-to-date median sales price is up 4.7 percent from 2017. Although nationwide inventory levels increased by 4.2 percent in November, Alabama’s residential inventory decreased 8.8 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a major factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during November spent an average of 93 days on the market, an improvement of 24 days from 2017.

NAR’s national perspective: During November, nationwide inventory for existing homes increased 4.2 percent year-over-year from 1.67 million to 1.74 million residential listings. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, “the market conditions in November were mixed, with good signs of stabilizing home sales compared to recent months, though down significantly from one year ago. Rising inventory is clearly taming home price appreciation.”

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Lake Martin waterfront homes selling faster on average than a year ago

By: ACRE Research

Sales: According to the Lake Martin Association of Realtors, waterfront-area residential sales totaled 17 units during November, down 26.1 percent from 23 sales in the same month a year earlier. Results were 3.4 percent below the five-year November average of 18 sales.

For all waterfront-area home sales data, click here.

Inventory: Homes listed for sale in the waterfront area during November totaled 226 units, an increase of 19.6 percent from November 2017’s 189 units and a decrease of 10.7 percent from October 2018’s 253 units.

Pricing: The Lake Martin waterfront median sales price in November was $545,000, an increase of 24.7 percent from one year ago and an increase of 13.2 percent from the prior month. This direction is consistent with historical data (2013-17) indicating that the November median sales price on average increases from October by 17.8 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days spent on the market (DOM) by waterfront homes that sold during November was 140 days, a decrease of 21.3 percent from 178 days in November 2017, and a decrease of 3.4 percent from 145 days in October.

Forecast: November sales were equal to the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 17 sales for the month and actual sales were 17 units. ACRE forecast a total of 327 residential sales in the waterfront area year-to-date, while there were 281 actual sales through November.

ACRE’s statewide perspective: While nationwide sales declined 2.6 percent during October, residential sales in Alabama continued to grow during the fall of 2018. Total residential sales in Alabama increased 9.1 percent year-over-year from 4,473 to 4,880 closed transactions. Year-to-date through October, statewide residential sales are up 7 percent from 48,745 one year ago to 52,163 currently. Home price appreciation in the state continued to grow as the median sales price in October increased 7.1 percent year-over-year from $146,458 to $156,872. The year-to-date median sales price is up 4.8 percent from 2017. Although nationwide inventory levels increased by 2.8 percent in October, Alabama’s residential inventory decreased by 9.2 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a major factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory levels, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during October spent an average of 98 days on the market, an improvement of 15 days from 2017.

NAR’s national perspective:  During October, nationwide inventory for existing homes increased 2.8 percent year-over-year from 1.8 million to 1.85 million residential listings. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, “As more inventory enters the market and we head into the winter season, home price growth has begun to slow more meaningfully. This allows for much more manageable, less frenzied buying conditions.”

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Lake Martin waterfront homes sell 34 days faster on average in October compared to 2017

By: ACRE Research

Sales: According to the Lake Martin Association of Realtors, waterfront-area residential sales totaled 22 units during October, down 8.3 percent from 24 sales in the same month a year earlier. Results were 8.3 percent below the five-year October average of 24 sales.

For all waterfront-area home sales data, click here.

Inventory: Homes listed for sale in the waterfront area during October totaled 253 units, an increase of 21.1 percent from October 2017’s 209 units and a decrease of 10.9 percent from September 2018’s 284 units.

Pricing: The Lake Martin waterfront median sales price in October was $485,000, an increase of 21.3 percent from one year ago and an increase of .7 percent from the prior month. This direction is inconsistent with historical data (2013-17) indicating that the October median sales price on average decreases from September by 11 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days spent on the market (DOM) by waterfront homes that sold during October was 145 days, a decrease of 19 percent from 179 days in October 2017, and an increase of 9.8 percent from 132 days in September.

Forecast: October sales were five units, or 18.5 percent, below the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 27 sales for the month, while actual sales were 22 units. ACRE forecast a total of 310 residential sales in the waterfront area year-to-date, while there were 264 actual sales through October.

ACRE’s statewide perspective: While nationwide sales declined during September, residential sales in Alabama continued to grow during the early fall of 2018. Total residential sales in Alabama increased 8.5 percent year-over-year from 4,678 to 5,074 closed transactions. Year-to-date through September, statewide residential sales are up 6.8 percent from 44,272 one year ago to 47,283 currently. Home price appreciation in the state grew but at a slower pace than in previous months. The median sales price in September increased 0.6 percent from $161,480 to $162,482 while the year-to-date median sales price is up 4.4 percent from 2017. Although nationwide inventory levels are starting to stabilize, Alabama’s residential inventory decreased 8.9 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a major factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory levels, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during September spent an average of 90 days on the market, an improvement of 18 days from 2017.

NAR’s national perspective: During September, nationwide sales volume for existing homes decreased 9.1 percent year-over-year from 462,000 to 420,000 closed transactions. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, rising interest rates played a significant role in September sales declines in markets across the nation. “This is the lowest existing home sales level since November 2015,” he said. “A decade’s high mortgage rates are preventing consumers from making quick decisions on home purchases. All the while, affordable home listings remain low, continuing to spur underperforming sales activity across the country.”

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Lake Martin waterfront homes sell 29 days faster on average compared to year ago

By: ACRE Research

Sales: According to the Lake Martin Association of Realtors, waterfront-area residential sales totaled 29 units during September, down 23.7 percent from 38 sales in the same month a year earlier. Results were 9.4 percent above the five-year September average of 32 sales.

Inventory: Homes listed for sale in the waterfront area during September totaled 284 units, an increase of 24 percent from September 2017’s 229 units and a decrease of 9.6 percent from August 2018’s 314 units.

Pricing: The Lake Martin waterfront median sales price in September was $400,000, a decrease of 33.2 percent from one year ago and a decrease of 16.9 percent from the prior month. This direction is inconsistent with historical data (2013-17) indicating that the September median sales price on average increases from August by 12.7 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days spent on the market (DOM) by waterfront homes that sold during September was 132 days, a decrease of 18 percent from 161 days in September 2017, and a decrease of 41.1 percent from 224 days in August.

Forecast: September sales were eight units, or 21.6 percent, below the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 37 sales for the month, while actual sales were 29 units. ACRE forecast a total of 283 residential sales in the waterfront area year-to-date, while there were 242 actual sales through September.

ACRE’s statewide perspective:  While nationwide sales declined during September, residential sales in Alabama continued to grow during the early fall of 2018. Total residential sales in Alabama increased 8.5 percent year-over-year from 4,678 to 5,074 closed transactions. Year-to-date through September, statewide residential sales are up 6.8 percent from 44,272 one year ago to 47,283 currently. Home price appreciation in the state grew, but at a slower pace than in previous months. The median sales price in September increased 0.6 percent from $161,480 to $162,482, while the year-to-date median sales price is up 4.4 percent from 2017. Although nationwide inventory levels are starting to stabilize, Alabama’s residential inventory decreased 8.9 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a major factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory levels, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during September spent an average of 90 days on the market, an improvement of 18 days from 2017.

NAR’s national perspective:  During September, nationwide sales volume for existing homes decreased 9.1 percent year-over-year from 462,000 to 420,000 closed transactions. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, rising interest rates played a significant role in September sales declines in markets across the nation. “This is the lowest existing home sales level since November 2015,” he said. “A decade’s high mortgage rates are preventing consumers from making quick decisions on home purchases. All the while, affordable home listings remain low, continuing to spur underperforming sales activity across the country.”

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