Posts Tagged ‘sugar land real estate’

HOUSTON HOME SALES RISE AGAIN IN JULY

The second consecutive monthly increase is still attributed to slower than usual home sales in 2010 following expiration of the tax credit

HOUSTON — (August 16, 2011) — What do you get when you compare seasonal summer home buying in a single month to the same month a year earlier shortly after a home buyer tax credit expired? If it’s July 2011 in Houston, Texas, it’s a nearly 17 percent increase in home sales. Last year’s third quarter slowdown in home sales continues to make this year’s generally “typical” real estate activity appear slightly more positive than it otherwise would be considered. July marked the third time in 2011 that sales volume entered positive territory. It also saw the average price of a single-family home reach its highest level for a July in Houston.

According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), July sales of single-family homes rose 16.7 percent versus one year earlier. That third increase of the year followed gains in January and June. All segments of the housing market, from the sub-$80,000 to the $500,000 and above, experienced positive sales. On a year-to-date basis, sales declined 2.2 percent. Compared to July of 2009, a year with no unusual market factors like Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the 2010 tax credit, single-family home sales were down 12.2 percent.

“It is still premature to label this latest increase in home sales a true positive indicator, but with the effects of last year’s tax credit fading and local employment figures strengthening, we should soon have an accurate reading on the Houston real estate market,” said Carlos P. Bujosa, HAR chairman and VP at Transwestern. “I believe the year-to-date and July 2009 comparisons probably yield the most realistic picture of what’s happening locally, and that places Houston in an enviable position when you see how other real estate markets around the country continue to struggle.

The average price of a single-family home rose 0.7 percent from July 2010 to $224,110, an all-time high for a July in Houston and the second highest average price of 2011. The July single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—increased 0.3 percent year-over-year to $160,000. That is unchanged from June and remains the highest that the median price has been this year.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) increased 13.5 percent in July compared to one year earlier. Foreclosures comprised 19.6 percent of all property sales, up slightly from the June level but lower than the first five months of the year. The median price of July foreclosures was unchanged at $84,000 on a year-over-year basis.

July sales of all property types in Houston totaled 5,962, up 17.1 percent compared to July 2010. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month increased 18.7 percent to $1.27 billion versus $1.07 billion one year earlier.

July Monthly Market Comparison

The month of July brought Houston’s overall housing market largely positive results when all sales categories are compared to July of 2010. However, as has been noted for the past few months, sales volume gains were skewed by the 2010 tax credit that resulted in a decline in home sales after it expired. Total property sales and total dollar volume rose on a year-over-year basis. The average price reached a record high for a July in Houston and the median price edged up year-over-year.

Month-end pending sales for July totaled 3,659, up 12.0 percent from last year. The rate is moving more in line with levels typically seen during the summer home sales months, but still reflects the rapid pace at which 2010 sales went under contract in advance of the tax credit closing deadline.

The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of July declined 9.5 percent from July 2010 to 50,022. The inventory of single-family homes dipped to 7.6 months compared to 7.7 months one year earlier. That means that it would take 7.6 months to sell all the single-family homes on the market based on sales activity over the past year. The figure is significantly better than the national inventory of single-family homes of 9.5 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

CATEGORIES JULY 2010 JULY 2011 PERCENT CHANGE
Total property sales 5,091 5,962 17.1%
Total dollar volume $1,070,466,812 $1,270,258,331 18.7%
Total active listings 55,247 50,022 -9.5%
Total pending sales 3,267 3,659 12.0%
Single-family home sales 4,313 5,034 16.7%
Single-family average sales price $222,534 $224,110 0.7%
Single-family median sales price $159,490 $160,000 0.3%
Months inventory* 7.7 7.6 -1.8%
* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.
Single-Family Homes Update

July sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 5,034, up 16.7 percent from July 2010. This marks the third increase of the year after an 8.4 percent gain in January and 0.5 percent bump in June. The July number represents the second highest sales volume month of the year. June was higher with 5,570 homes sold.

On a year-to-date basis, sales are down 2.2 percent. When compared to July of 2009, a year in which there were no unusual real estate market influences such as Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the 2010 home buyer tax credit, single-family home sales were down 12.2 percent.

Broken out by segment, July sales of homes priced below $80,000 rose 15.8 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range climbed 17.7 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 increased 18.5 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 advanced 13.7 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—soared 25.7 percent.

Single Family Home Sales

The average price achieved the highest level for a July in Houston. At $224,110, the average price of single-family homes rose 0.7 percent compared to last July. At $160,000, the median sales price for single-family homes edged up 0.3 percent versus July 2010, remaining flat from June at $160,000, the highest median price of 2011 and the highest level in two years. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $184,600, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living available to consumers in Houston.

Single Family Average Home Price

HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In July 2011, existing home sales totaled 4,341, a 22.0 percent increase from July 2010. The average sales price climbed 3.3 percent to $212,895 compared to last year and the median sales price of $150,000 was unchanged.

Townhouse/Condominium Update

The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in July jumped 26.7 percent compared to one year earlier, marking the second sales increase of the year. The first was a 14.7 percent hike in January. In the greater Houston area, 460 units were sold last month versus 363 properties in July 2010.

The average price rose 3.8 percent to $156,754 from July 2010 to July 2011. The median price of a townhouse/condominium ticked up 1.7 percent to $121,000.

Townhouse/Condominium Sales
Lease Property Update

The Houston market experienced continued high demand for lease properties in the month of July. Single-family home rentals jumped 21.6 percent compared to one year earlier and year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals rose 7.7 percent. This demand has been largely driven by steady improvement in local employment numbers, with REALTORS® observing a surge in consumers relocating to Houston from around the country.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in July
  • Volume of single-family home sales rose for the third time in 2011;
  • Volume of townhouse/condominium sales rose for the second time in 2011;
  • At $224,110, the average price of a single-family home reached the highest level for a July in Houston;
  • At $160,000, the median price of a single-family home remained flat from June, maintaining the highest level of 2011 and the highest level in two years;
  • Townhouse/condominium sales rose for the second time in 2011;
  • Single-family home rentals rose 21.6 percent;
  • Townhouse/condominium rentals increased 7.7 percent;
  • 7.6 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 9.5 months.
  • The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed byREALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.

    The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.

    The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)

    Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.

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    HOUSTON HOME PRICES REACH A RECORD HIGH IN JUNE 2011

    Home sales increase for the second time this year

    HOUSTON — (July 19, 2011) — Houston home sales rose for the second time this year in June, with the average price reaching an all-time high and the median price achieving the highest level in nearly two years. The sales increase reflects the slowdown in home purchases that set in a year ago following expiration of the home buyer tax credit. The credit triggered a surge in home buying during the spring of 2010 that resulted in slower sales volume during the remainder of that year.

    According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), June sales of single-family homes edged up 0.6 percent versus one year earlier. That represents the first increase since January when sales volume rose 8.4 percent. The under-$80,000 segment of the market as well as homes priced from $250,000 and above experienced increased sales while the popular middle range, consisting of homes priced between $80,000 and $250,000, saw declines. Compared to June of 2009, a year with no unusual market factors such as Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the 2010 tax credit, single-family home sales were up 2.7 percent.

    “We see the effects of the 2010 tax credit in the June Houston real estate market report in the form of a drop-off in sales that took place a year ago once the credit expired,” said Carlos P. Bujosa, HAR chairman and VP at Transwestern. “We expect these credit-skewed readings to taper soon, providing us with a more accurate gauge of market performance, but in the meantime, we are thrilled to see sustained home price appreciation.”

    The average price of a single-family home rose 3.7 percent from June 2010 to a record high of $228,650. The June single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—increased 2.2 percent year-over-year to $161,000. That is the highest median price since July 2009. Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) decreased 3.2 percent in June compared to one year earlier.

    Foreclosures comprised 18.7 percent of all property sales, down from 19.8 percent in May, 22.0 percent in April and 23.5 percent in March. The median price of June foreclosures declined 7.5 percent to $81,000 on a year-over-year basis.

    June sales of all property types in Houston totaled 6,520, down 0.2 percent compared to June 2010. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month increased 3.3 percent to $1.43 billion versus $1.38 billion one year earlier.

    June Monthly Market Comparison

    The month of June brought Houston’s overall housing market largely positive results when all sales categories are compared to June of 2010. However sales volume gains for the month were skewed by the 2010 tax credit that affected a decline in home sales one year ago after it expired. Total property sales declined fractionally while total dollar volume rose on a year-over-year basis. The average price reached a record high while the median price recorded its highest level since July 2009.

    Month-end pending sales for June totaled 3,872, up 18.3 percent from last year. While not as high as the 35.4 percent increase recorded in May, the rate is considered higher than what is typically seen this time of year and is considered an ongoing reflection of the rapid pace at which 2010 sales went under contract in advance of the tax credit closing deadline.

    The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of June dipped 4.8 percent from June 2010 to 51,342. The inventory of single-family homes rose to 7.9 months compared to 7.3 months one year earlier. That means that it would take 7.9 months to sell all the single-family homes on the market based on sales activity over the past year. The figure still compares favorably to the national inventory of single-family homes of 9.3 months reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

    Houston Real Estate Market Stats June 2011

    Single-Family Homes Update

    June sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 5,571, up 0.6 percent from June 2010. This marks the first increase since January when sales volume rose 8.4 percent. The June number represents the greatest monthly volume of single-family homes recorded in Houston since May 2010.

    When compared to June of 2009, a year in which there were no unusual real estate market influences such as Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the home buyer tax credit in 2010, single-family home sales were up 2.7 percent. On a year-to-date basis, sales are down 5.4 percent.

    Broken out by segment, June sales of homes priced below $80,000 climbed 19.8 percent; sales of homes in the $80,000-$150,000 range dropped 11.6 percent; sales of homes between $150,000 and $250,000 dipped 0.7 percent; sales of homes ranging from $250,000-$500,000 rose 3.8 percent; and sales of homes that make up the luxury market—priced from $500,000 and up—increased 1.5 percent.

    The average price achieved the highest level of all time in Houston while the median price reached the highest level since July 2009. At $228,650, the average price of single-family homes edged up 0.6 percent in June compared to one year earlier. At $161,000, the median sales price for single-family homes increased 2.2 percent versus June 2010. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $166,700, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living available to consumers in Houston.

    HAR also breaks out the sales performance of existing single-family homes throughout the Houston market. In June 2011, existing home sales totaled 4,811, a 4.7 percent increase from June 2010. The average sales price climbed 5.2 percent to $219,000 compared to last year and the median sales price of $152,000 rose 3.5 percent.

    Houston Real Estate Market Stats June 2011

    Houston Real Estate Market Stats June 2011

    Townhouse/Condominium Update

    The number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in June declined 8.6 percent compared to one year earlier. That became the fifth straight monthly sales decline for this housing type following a 14.7 percent hike in January. In the greater Houston area, 470 units were sold last month versus 514 properties in June 2010.

    The average price climbed 9.2 percent to $175,958 from June 2010 to June 2011. The median price of a townhouse/condominium declined 6.0 percent to $126,500.

    Houston Real Estate Market Stats June 2011

    Lease Property Update

    Demand for single-family home rentals continued to soar in the month of June, rising 19.2 percent compared to one year earlier. Year-over-year townhouse/condominium rentals jumped 19.5 percent. This demand has been largely driven by Houston’s steadily improving employment landscape which has drawn consumers from around the country. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ latest economic update for Houston, nonfarm payroll employment grew at an annualized rate of more than 3.2 percent in May to more than 2.57 million jobs. This brings the number of jobs added since the trough of Houston’s business cycle to more than 81,600. Year-to-date, the average annualized monthly growth rate was 3.3 percent. Should that pace continue in the second half of 2011, Houston will have added nearly 84,000 jobs this year. The unemployment rate improved slightly to 8.4 percent, while the U.S. clocked in at 9.2 percent.

    Houston Real Estate Milestones in June

    • Volume of single-family home sales rose for the second time in 2011;
    • Sales of 5,571 single-family homes represents the highest monthly volume recorded since May 2010;
    • At $228,650, the average price of a single-family home reached the highest level of all time;
    • At $161,000, the median price of a single-family home reached the highest level since July 2009;
    • Single-family home rentals rose 19.2 percent;
    • Townhouse/condominium rentals increased 19.5 percent;
    • 7.9 months inventory of single-family homes compares favorably to the national average of 9.3 months.

    __________________________________________________________________

    The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 26,000 REALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.

    The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple

    Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.

    The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)

    Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a 26,000-member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.

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