Decline in Orlando’s sales, inventory help stabilize home-price growth

Prospective homebuyers will be excited to learn that the rocketing rise in prices Orlando has seen over the past years stabilized this summer in the healthy single-digits. For the last three months, the year-over-year median price has increased between 6 and 7 percent. The deceleration will help maintain a healthy housing market and protect Orlando’s affordability, especially as it compares to other cities around the country where prices are rising beyond the reach of buyers, explains ORRA President Lou Nimkoff:

In addition, while prices have been rising steadily over the past seven years they have not yet reached pre-recession peak prices. Orlando homes purchased now still have room for normal appreciation, which makes a house a good investment.

The overall median price of Orlando homes (all types combined) sold July is $235,000, which is 6.8 percent above the July 2017 median price of $220,000 and 1.3 percent below the June 2018 median price of $238,000. The median price for single-family homes that changed hands in July increased 6.3 percent over July 2017 and is now $255,000. The first-time homebuyers affordability index increased to 90.28 percent, from 88.80 percent last month.

Sales and Inventory

Members of ORRA participated in 3,383 sales of all home types combined in July, which is 0.1 percent more than the 3,381 sales in July 2017 and 2.3 percent less than the 3,461 sales in June 2018. Sales of single-family homes (2,653) in July 2018 decreased by 0.2 percent compared to July 2017, while condo sales (398) increased 2.6 percent year over year. Sales of distressed homes (foreclosures and short sales) reached 121 in July and are 42.1 percent less than the 209 distressed sales in July 2017. Distressed sales made up just 3.6 percent of all Orlando-area transactions last month. The overall inventory of homes that were available for purchase in July (7,525) represents a decrease of 16.9 percent when compared to July 2017, and a 0.4 percent decrease compared to last month. There were 15.3 percent fewer single-family homes and 14.8 percent fewer condos. Current inventory combined with the current pace of sales created a 2.2-month supply of homes in Orlando for July. There was a 2.2-month supply in June 2018 and a 2.7-month supply in July 2017. The average interest rate paid by Orlando homebuyers in July was 4.59, down from 4.61 percent the month prior.

Buyers

This continues to be a challenging time for buyers in a market where prices are high and options are low. At Waypointe, you have access to properties not listed publicly as well as get properties before they come on the market. Buyers need the assistance of REALTORS to help them compete against other buyers, for example by crafting attractive offers that take into consideration current appraisal issues and advising on contingencies, in addition to assistance through the many traditional functions that a buyers’ agent performs. Ready to start the homebuying process? We can help! Contact us today.

Sellers

Inventory continues to drop and prices are steady, it’s a great time to sell, while being realistic with the value of your property! However, sellers should be aware that while selling their home is likely to be quick (particularly in the lower price categories) securing a new residence could be a challenge and requires the assistance of a REALTOR. Those seeking to move up into larger, more expensive homes will have more choices and less competition than those seeking to downsize. If you would like to know the value of your home, we would love to help. Contact us today!