Your January Market Update finds the market generally healthy and likely to start the year strong, according to our friends at the Cromford Report.
“There is both good and bad news for first-time home buyers this month. The good news is that there’s been a 22% increase in single family active listings asking between $175,000-$200,000 over the last 10 weeks, going from 1,065 to 1,295. Current inventory is 10% higher than where it was in week 49 of last year, adding some much needed choice to a high demand price range. The added supply is not universal across the valley; increases have been marked specifically in Buckeye, Surprise, Sun City, Peoria and Mesa.”
As you know, we do most of our work in Central Phoenix, North Phoenix, Downtown and East Phoenix (although we work everywhere in Maricopa County). The bad news for first time home buyers in the January Market Update is that this increase in affordable inventory is not as apparent in the sought-after areas of CenPho and downtown. We can only hope that this bubble of apartment building in CenPho will break and we will see some affordable owner-occupied developments in 2017.
Despite the bad news in this category, don’t give up. We know the area really well and we can point first time home buyers to the up-and-coming areas that are more affordable and undergoing redevelopment.
Back to Tina Tamboer at the Cromford Report:
“The bad news for home buyers is that supply overall is down 3.7% while the level of competing buyers is remaining seasonally consistent. The Southeast Valley specifically has not seen the typical increase in supply that happens this time of year. This indicates that the area will kick off 2017 with low supply just before the expected increase in buyer activity come February. In this case, the cost of waiting to purchase will be a lack of choice and possibly having to compromise on the condition or location of the property they choose to buy.”
For Sellers in this January Market Update:
“Bad news for buyers usually translates into good news for sellers, especially after positive news reports of Realtor.com ranking Phoenix as the #1 projected real estate market in the country for 2017. However, it’s still not a market to be overpriced regardless of the strong demand for homes. Some price ranges have more competing listings than others, especially in areas such as North Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert and Peoria where there is competition from new home subdivisions. Permits for single family homes have been on the rise to accommodate the demand. This provides more choice for buyers in those areas, balances out the market and keeps annual appreciation in check. The areas projected to have the highest appreciation rates are those where there is a high level of fix and flip activity along with a more affordable price range under $175,000.”
In the end, we can help you navigate this new year –whether you are buying or selling. Just give Ken a call at 602-456-9388.
