Real Estate Information Archive

Good Morning!

Here are the numbers for the February 2017 Real Estate market in the Eugene and Springfield area.  As you can see, there was little change.  The inventory of homes for sale remains critically low and the result is fewer sales and higher home prices.  The Eugene/Springfield area remains as one of the lowest areas in the country for active homes for sale at just 2.2 months of active inventory available.  All that I can say is the same thing that I have been saying.  If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, this is the top of the market for home pricing and you should take advantage of it. Here are the numbers for February.

 

February Residential Highlights

Activity in Lane County continued a cooling trend this February, but some numbers showed gains over January. New listings (393) showed a 22.8% gain over January 2017 but ended 5.5% below the 416 new listings offered last year in February 2016.

Similarly, pending sales (369) rose 16.0% above the 318 orders accepted last month in January 2017 but were 12.1% under the 420 orders accepted last year in February 2016.

Closed sales, at 247, ended 13.0% under February 2016 (284) and 9.5% under January 2017 (273).

February saw inventory in Lane County rise just slightly to 2.2 months. Total market time during the same period rose three days to 75 days.

Average and Median Sale Prices

Comparing the average price of homes in the twelve months ending February 28th of this year ($266,000) with the average price of homes sold in the twelve months ending February 2016 ($244,400) shows an increase of 8.8%. The same comparison of the median shows an increase of 8.3% over that same period.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

1471 BARRINGTON AVE

Price: $514,900    Beds: 5    Baths: 3    Sq Ft: 3756

Luxurious & grand! Great Rm w/ surround sound, Brazilian cherry hardwd & gas fp. HUGE theater/bonus rm. Open KIT w/ cherry stained cabinets, island, LED under+above cabinet & toe-kick lights. Private mstr ste w/ access to back, bath w/ heated marble...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Morning!

Nationally, the housing market is experiencing little change.  So far, this is what I predicted for the first half of 2017 with a fairly flat market.  The second half of 2017 could see some change, especially if we see mortgage interest rates begin to creep up.  Here in the Eugene and Springfield area, the inventory of homes for sale remains at a crippling low level for first time home buyers.  Homes in the $175,000 to $300,000 range are scarce.  

If you are thinking about selling your home this year, don't hesitate.  Right now is the time to get it on the market.  The worst thing you could do this year is to wait for Spring and Summer.  The present market may be the best market we see in years for home sellers!

Have An Awesome Week!

Video Link: http://eugeneoregonhomesforsale.com/video/This-Month-in-Real-Estate-March-2017

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

114 Hayden Bridge Way

Price: $249,900    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 1451

Pride of ownership shows. Over 1/4 of an acre offers oversize attached garage, detached garage/shop with workbench, long wide drive with room for RV parking, large fenced backyard with covered patio, plus timed sprinkler system. Great room with fire...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Monday Morning!

Anyone who has been keeping in touch with either the local or national housing market trends knows that 2016 was a record year for home sales.  2017 is starting off totally different than the previous year, though.  There are many questions as to what kind of Real Estate market 2017 will turn out to be.  Here is an article from Realtor.com that talks about the direction that the 2017 housing market will most likely take.

The days of multiple bids and offers that are typically way higher than a home’s asking price—you know, that stuff that we now consider to be normal in the housing biz—aren’t expected to disappear anytime soon. But here’s the good news: Things aren’t expected to get too much worse in 2017 either.

Rising mortgage rates, as well as a dearth of affordable, existing homes (i.e., previously lived-in residences) on the market, are expected to lead to a smaller increase in sales in 2017, according to the latest quarterly survey from the National Association of Realtors®.

The survey was of nearly 2,800 U.S. households and conducted from October through early December.

Existing-home prices are expected to go up 4% in 2017, slowing down just a bit from 5% in 2016, according to NAR.The pace of sales is also expected to slow, rising just 2% in 2017, compared with 3.3% in 2016

All in all, 2016 is expected to be the best year for existing-home sales since the height of the housing boom in 2006.

The challenges ahead2017 will “be a year of growth in both sales and prices,” says Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke of realtor.com®. “But that growth will be slower than what we’ve seen over the last three years.”

Those higher mortgage rates have already driven monthly mortgage payments up 7% since the presidential election, Smoke says. And those bigger bills are expected to make it harder for wannabe homeowners, particularly first-time buyers, to qualify for loans.

That’s in addition to the low inventory of available homes on the market that they need to contend with. In November, there were 12% fewer new and existing homes for sale on realtor.com than the same month a year earlier.

Still, the majority of households surveyed still believe now is a good time to buy a home, But fewer renters are getting the buying bug these days. That’s because housing prices are continuing to go up, making affordability an ever bigger challenge, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

“Younger households, renters, and those living in the costlier West region—where prices have soared in recent months—are the least optimistic about buying,” Yun said in a statement.

According to the survey, about three-quarters of current homeowners who are over 45, make more than $50,000 a year, and live in the Midwest or South were the most confident that now is the time to close on the homes of their dreams.

They are typically the most financially stable or live in the most affordable regions of the country.

But for everyone else, it’s not all doom and gloom. Lenders are beginning to make more loans to buyers with lower credit scores and down payments as well as higher debt-to-income ratios as a result of rising mortgage rates, says Smoke.

That’s because fewer homeowners are likely to refinance their mortgages now that rates have gone up. To make up for that loss in business, lenders have to issue more loans. And higher rates can net mortgage makers higher profits, he says.

“Lenders are getting more aggressive,” Smoke says. “Credit access already appears to be improving because of the rates.”

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

1615 Taney St

Price: $269,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 2    ｽ Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 1913

Brand new home! Great quality construction with plaster finished walls, maple hardwood & porcelain tile floor, hickory cabinets, granite counters, 9 ft ceiling, LED dimming lights, 3 skylights one of which opens. Great room layout with gas fireplace...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Monday Morning!

It appears that the combination of slightly higher mortgage interest rates and the lack of available affordable housing will have a slight negative effect on the national housing market in 2017.  This situation will most likely follow the national trend locally in the Eugene and Springfield area.  Our area currently has the second lowest inventory of homes from sale in the nation.  This is a statistic that is great for anyone wanting to sell a home, but not so favorable for anyone wanting to purchase a home.  Here is an article from "Realtor.com", that address the future of the 2017 housing market nationally.

The days of multiple bids and offers that are typically way higher than a home’s asking price—you know, that stuff that we now consider to be normal in the housing biz—aren’t expected to disappear any time soon. But here’s the good news: Things aren’t expected to get too much worse in 2017 either.

Rising mortgage rates as well as a dearth of affordable, existing homes (i.e., previously lived-in residences) on the market are expected to lead to a smaller increase in sales in 2017, according to the latest quarterly survey from the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing-home prices are expected to go up 4% in 2017, slowing down just a bit from 5% in 2016, according to NAR.The pace of sales is also expected to slow, rising just 2% in 2017, compared with 3.3% in 2016

All in all, 2016 is expected to be the best year for existing-home sales since the height of the housing boom in 2006.

The Challenges Ahead

2017 will “be a year of growth in both sales and prices,” says Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke of realtor.com®. “But that growth will be slower than what we’ve seen over the last three years.”

Those higher mortgage rates have already driven monthly mortgage payments up 7% since the presidential election, Smoke says. And those bigger bills are expected to make it harder for wannabe homeowners, particularly first-time buyers, to qualify for loans.

That’s in addition to the low inventory of available homes on the market that they need to contend with. In November, there were 12% fewer new and existing homes for sale on realtor.com than the same month a year earlier.

Still, the majority of households surveyed still believe now is a good time to buy a home, But fewer renters are getting the buying bug these days. That’s because housing prices are continuing to go up, making affordability an ever bigger challenge, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

“Younger households, renters, and those living in the costlier West region—where prices have soared in recent months—are the least optimistic about buying,” Yun said in a statement.

According to the survey, about three-quarters of current homeowners who are over 45, make more than $50,000 a year, and live in the Midwest or South were the most confident that now is the time to close on the homes of their dreams.

They are typically the most financially stable or live in the most affordable regions of the country.

But for everyone else, it’s not all doom and gloom. Lenders are beginning to make more loans to buyers with lower credit scores and down payments as well as higher debt-to-income ratios as a result of rising mortgage rates, says Smoke.

That’s because fewer homeowners are likely to refinance their mortgages now that rates have gone up. To make up for that loss in business, lenders have to issue more loans. And higher rates can net mortgage makers higher profits, he says.

“Lenders are getting more aggressive,” Smoke says. “Credit access already appears to be improving because of the rates.”

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

Lot 8 Vineyard Hill Dr

Price: $250,000    Beds: 0    Baths: 0    Lot Size: 5 acres

Spectacular setting in The Vineyards At Gimpl Hill. Five acres of level and rolling hills in the heart of wine country. Private gated community offers gorgeous valley and tree views. Only a 7 minute drive to town....View Property for Sale >>

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Good Morning!

In many ways, it is a typical December for the Eugene and Springfield area in regards to home sales.  Most people thinking about selling a home avoid putting their home on the market this time of year and the inventory of available homes for sale is at a yearly low.  What is different this year is that coming into the Holiday Season, our inventory of homes for sale was already very low.  The result of this is that there are many well qualified home buyers who cannot find a home to purchase.  For a home seller, you cannot have a better climate for selling your home.  Low inventory, high demand typically means a fast sale at top market value.

If you are going to be selling your home in the near future, my advice is to get your home on the market soon.  Whatever you do, don't wait for Spring.  If you don't want the hassle of having your home on the market over the Holidays, then think about getting it on the market by early 2017.  The inventory of homes for sale will most likely remain at a low level through February-March and then start a gradual increase.  

If you want to capitalize on our current sellers market, contact me.  I can easily give you an indication of what your home would sell for during the current market and also give you some tips on how to get top dollar value for your home. We have a long list of well qualified home buyers in a variety of price ranges and areas waiting for additional homes to hit the market.

Have An Awesome Week!

Video Link: http://eugeneoregonhomesforsale.com/video/This-Month-In-Real-Estate-December-2016

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

 

2445 Elysium Ave

Price: $350,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 2    Partial Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 2172

Remarkable remodel! Luxurious updates, lots of natural light, abundant storage, large corner lot. Large atrium entry with flagstone tile. Spacious family room with vaulted ceiling, beams, Coretec Plus vinyl wood floor, 2 sliders & gas fireplace. Ope...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Monday Morning!

This is an exciting week as our nation goes to the polls on Tuesday to select our next President and to vote for members of Congress, the Senate, local goverment officials and many measures.  We are so fortunate to live in a country, where we get to choose and we get to vote.  Our voices are heard through and vote, which is our right.  Please remember how privileged we are and make sure that you exercise your right.

Video Link: http://eugeneoregonhomesforsale.com/video/This-Month-in-Real-Estate-November-2016

Have An Awesome Week!!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

28135 Spencer Creek Rd

Price: $1,250,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 4    Partial Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 6143

Just minutes from town! This gated country estate is spectacular with an exquisite manor featuring grand staircase, 4 bedroom suites, office, theater room, gourmet kitchen and more. Great shop for RV and storage, creek, waterfall pool, ponds for fis...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Monday Morning!

The Real Estate market in the Eugene and Springfield area has maintained a good balance over the past several months.  Sales have slowed slightly, but this is most likely seasonal.  Home prices are holding steady and buyer demand is good.  Mortgage interest rates are also holding steady, making the climate for home sales very favorable.  Nationaly this trend is also holding true.  Once the elections are over, we will get a better idea of what the future holds.  One thing for sure is that if we begin seeing across the board tax increases along with rising interest rates, the housing market will suffer!

Have An Awesome Week!

Video Link: http://eugeneoregonhomesforsale.com/video/This-Month-in-Real-Estate-October-2016

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

2087 Lemuria St

Price: $255,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 2    Partial Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 2080

Delightful and bright! Features lots of natural light, fresh interior paint throughout, new doors and frames. Living room opens to dining area with slider. Kitchen with eating bar. Plus family/bonus room. One bedroom with bath. One huge bedroom/mult...View Home for Sale >>

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Good Monday Morning!

It is not just the Eugene and Springfield area that is having a hot Real Estate market.  Nationally, the housing market has been robust and just as in Eugene and Springfield, home prices are on the rise as well. Here is a short and informative article about the national housing market from Realtor.com.

Frazzled home buyers may need to sit down and take a few deep breaths before reading any further. Those rapidly rising home prices have hit an all-time high—and show no signs of slowing down before Labor Day.

The median price of an existing (i.e. not newly constructed) home across the nation reached $239,700 in May, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors®. That’s up 3.8% from April and 4.7% from May of 2015.

The previous peak was last June at $236,300.

“The price increases are a natural result of the very strong demand for homes against very limited homes for sale,” says realtor.com’s chief economist, Jonathan Smoke. “It’s pent-up demand… coupled with the lowest mortgage rates we’ve had in three years.”

He predicts prices will continue to surge this summer as buyers fight over the not-nearly-enough residences on the market. But there is hope: the mad rush for available homes is expected to taper off come Labor Day, Smoke says.

“There’s a higher probability that interest rates will go up [in the fall]. School is back in session, which means fewer [parents] are looking to move,” he says, adding that the presidential election will cause some potential buyers in certain areas of the country, like Washington DC, to postpone home buying decisions.

The high prices have been a boon to sellers who are putting their properties on the market and cashing in.

“More homeowners are realizing the equity they’ve accumulated in recent years and finally deciding to trade-up or downsize,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. “Repeat buyers are using the proceeds from the sale of their previous home as their down payment.”

Residences also continued to fly off the proverbial shelves at the highest volume for the month of May since 2005—before the financial crisis walloped the world economy. This May, the number of sales hit 526,000, a 11.9% jump from April and a 6.3% rise from May of last year, according to the report. Those numbers were not seasonally adjusted, which is to say they weren’t smoothed out over a 12-month period to account for seasonal fluctuations.

The cost of becoming a homeowner is by far the highest in the West, home to astronomically expensive areas like San Francisco and nearby Silicon Valley, according to the report. The median home price in the region was $346,900 in May and the number of sales rose 0.9% year-over-year to 114,000.

The next most expensive region was the Northeast at $268,600, according to the report. The region also saw the fewest sales, at 69,000, in May. But the number of existing homes sold jumped 11.3% from the same time a year earlier.

The region was followed by the South, where the median home price hit $211,500. The warm weather region saw the most sales at 211,000, a 8.2% rise from a year earlier.

Last up was the Midwest, where prices reached $190,000. The number of sales reached 132,000 in May, a 5.6% bump from May of 2015.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

2484 Crowther Drive

Price: $299,000    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Half Baths: 1    Sq Ft: 1911

This Heitman Custom Home has been beautifully maintained and offers wonderful amenities and details. Some of the features include crown molding, tray and vaulted ceilings, wainscoting, custom cabinets, hardwood and tile floors, granite and abundant ...View Home for Sale >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

Nationally, the Real Estate market has cooled off a bit.  Even though mortgage rates have continued to decline and and for the most part remain sub 4%, fewer homes were sold in February and home prices tapered off a bit.  Here in the Eugene and Springfield area, the housing market remains robust, but inventories in the price ranges below $300,000 are still in short supply.  As we approach Spring and Summer it will be interesting to see if both the national and local housing markets take off like they did last year. My prediction for the remainder of 2016 is a fairly flat market with little change.  Time will tell this story.

Have An Awesome Week!

Video Link Here

 

THIS MONTHS HOT HOME LISTING!

83821 N Enterprise Rd

Price: $399,000    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 2332

Beautiful country living! Gorgeous 18.62 acres primarily fenced pasture land. Mountain views, large metal barn, detached garage, roof certification in place. Home is somewhat of a cosmetic fixer. Located within 3 miles of stores and school....
View Home for Sale >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

Both national and local home prices continue to increase.  Even though this has a slight negative effect for potential home buyers, home sellers are benefiting from the increase in home values.  Here in the Eugene and Springfield area, home values have increased significantly since the market down turn several years ago.  Although, in most cases home prices have not come back to where they peaked at around 2006, they have come back enough for anyone thinking about a home sale to consider making the move to do so soon.  There is much speculation that mortgage interest rates might begin to go up later this year.  With the increased mortgage interest rates, the demand for housing could decline, putting pressure on home prices.  We just might be at that point where your home value is at a peak and the oppotunity to sell at top dollar could just be right now.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!




 

6076 Fernhill Loop

Price: $497,000     Beds: 3     Baths: 3     Partial Baths: 1     Sq Ft: 4061

Great separation of space in this Craftsman style home located on .46 of an acre. Large kitchen with island, hardwood floors, granite, pantry, open to family room with fireplace & built-ins. Formal living room boasts high ceilings, fireplace, light ...
View this property >>

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