August 2021 Housing Market Update

Like the temperatures hitting us this week, it seems the recently released August housing market reports are all showing a decline in home sales, compared to this time last year. This is not atypical, given our ‘hot market season’ runs from May to August anyway. However, this could also have something to do with decreasing inventory and rising median sales prices. Overall, I can attest to the market remaining highly active (and competitive).

NATIONALLY

Summary: Existing home sales decreased slightly while median home sales prices increased in August, both on a national scale, and regionally, here in the Midwest, compared to last month and this time last year.

The most recent Existing Home Sales Report, by the National Association of REALTORS®, was just released titled, “Existing-Home Sales Recede 2.0% in August,” (Quintin Simmons, September 22nd, 2021). The following bullet points are additional highlights from this release.

Existing-Home Sales

“Existing-home sales dropped 2% on a seasonally adjusted annual rate from July to August.”
“The median existing-home sales price rose at a year-over-year pace of 14.9%.”
“Properties typically remained on the market for 17 days in August, unchanged from July and down from 22 days in August 2020.”
“In August 2021, each of the four major U.S. regions experienced declines on both a month-over-month and a year-over-year perspective.”

STATEWIDE

Summary: Honing in, Wisconsin saw a decline in home sales and an increase in median sales price, compared to this time last year.

The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, released their monthly market report with the headline, “Summer Housing Market Constrained by Tight Inventories.“ Here are some additional key takeaways:

August 2021 Home Sales Report

“August home sales fell 6.3% compared to their levels in August 2020, whereas the median price rose 6.4% to $250,000 over that same 12-month period.”
“Year to date, statewide sales are ahead of the pace recorded in 2020.”
“The median price is up 10.6% to $240,000 over that same period.”
“Average days on the market [are] at the record-low level of just 65 days for the second straight month. This compares to 88 days in August of last year. This is the lowest level for days on the market since the WRA began tracking this data in January 2005.”

LOCAL MARKET

Summary: Across our tri-county area (Kenosha, Racine & Walworth Counties) we saw a decline in the number of closed sales and compared to this time last year. Kenosha and Racine Counties actually had more new listings in August 2021, compared to August 2020. Finally, in Southeastern Wisconsin (except for in Racine County), the median sales priced increased, year over year, as well.

Below are the August 2021 Local Market Reports, by MetroMLS for the Counties of Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth, as well as the Lake Geneva-Delavan-Williams Bay area; and their monthly blog post called Market Reports: August 2021, by Dan Zielinski of FlexMLS, reflecting our hyperlocal multiple listing service area based out of Metro-Milwaukee.

MARKET REPORTS: AUGUST 2021

Active listings are down 2.9% and sold listings are down 1.7% compared to this time last year. The Months of Supply of Inventory also saw a slight decrease, dropping 1.2% from last year.
The above infographic includes data on single-family properties and condominiums in the 13 primary counties.
by Dan Zielinski | September 15, 2021 | Metro MLS, FlexMLS

Other Market Updates:

August 2021 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report: Seller Activity Warms Up as 432,000 Newly-Listed Homes Hit the Market by Sabrina Speianu, Realtor.com®

Home Prices Dipped 1.2% in August. Could the Housing Market Be Cooling Off? by Maurie Backman of The Motley Fool for NASDAQ

Sellers: Although I do not believe scare tactics are (morally) useful, the fact remains: sellers, your time may be running out. If you have thought about selling your home, the time to act is now. Inventory is dropping, but buyers are still out there. Contact me or follow the link below if you would like a custom, free home valuation.

Your free, instant Home Valuation here: HomeValuationzByAnnie.com

Buyers: If I’ve heard this once, I’ve heard this a million times this year: money is cheap. Even if you are on the fence, as to whether or not you want to buy a home this year, I suggest you call a lender and get a pre-approval squared away for when the right property pops up. Do not believe everything you hear – there are plenty of sellers out there accepting offers with loans and other contingencies. I am here to help – please feel free to reach out!

All the best,

ANNIE ZAMBITO
LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT
KEEFE REAL ESTATE | LAKE GENEVA, WI 53147
PHONE 262.348.3253 | 262.215.1982
EMAIL azambito@keeferealestate.com | anniezrealty@gmail.com
OFFICE 262.248.4492 | www.keeferealestate.com

Follow this Link for Your Copy of the 2021 Q2 Market Report by Keefe Real Estate

Search for Your Next Home HERE

Get Your Free Property Valuation Here

My August 2021

Sources

“Local Market Reports.” MetroMLS®. September 22nd, 2021.

Zielinski, Dan. “Market Reports: August 2021.” FlexMLS® & Metro MLS ®. September 22nd, 2021.

“August 2021 Home Sales Report.” Wisconsin REALTORS® Association. September 22nd, 2021.

Speianu, Sabrina. “August 2021 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report: Seller Activity Warms Up as 432,000 Newly-Listed Homes Hit the Market.” Realtor.com®. September 22nd, 2021.

Backman, Maurie. “Home Prices Dipped 1.2% in August. Could the Housing Market Be Cooling Off? The Motley Fool; NASDAQ. September 22nd, 2021.

“Existing Home Sales Report.” NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. September 22nd, 2021.

Simmons, Quintin. “Existing-Home Sales Recede 2.0% in August,” NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. September 22nd, 2021.

October 2020 Housing Market

Featured

The first full month of Autumn continued the record breaking trends of this unprecedented year. From the Country-wide outlook, down to our narrow Southeastern Wisconsin vantage point, October 2020 was a profitable month for real estate.

Existing-home sales continued to trend upward in October, marking five consecutive months of month-over-month gains, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions reported both month-over-month and year-over-year growth, with the Midwest experiencing the greatest monthly increases.”
Quintin Simmons, NAR

The Metro-Milwaukee Multiple Listing Service, aka MetroMLS, elaborated on this atypically active market.

October continued to be busier than the calendar normally suggests. Buyer activity remains higher than normal for this time of year, while in many segments of the market housing supply remains much lower than one year ago. Multiple offers remain a common occurrence in many areas, keeping housing hot while the temperatures continue to fall.
New Listings in the Milwaukee region increased 9.1 percent to 2,068. Pending Sales were down 42.1 percent to 872. Inventory levels fell 5.4 percent to 3,535 units.
Prices continued to gain traction. The Median Sales Price increased 10.2 percent to $255,000. Days on Market was down 28.6 percent to 25 days. Sellers were encouraged as Months’ Supply of Inventory was down 4.3 percent to 2.2 months.
Mortgage rates dropped to new record lows again in October, helping to offset the monthly mortgage payment increases caused by the rise in home prices seen in many segments of the market across the country. While prices often dip a bit in the winter months, continued buyer demand may temper any price retreats this year.
Monthly Indicators by MetroMLS

The Local Market Reports below, created by MetroMLS & ShowingTime, back up these claims with real numbers. Clearly, October 2020 was one for the books. While the number of new listings in Kenosha County were down, in comparison to 2019, there were more new listings for both Walworth and Racine Counties. Regardless, the tri-county area (Walworth Kenosha & Racine Counties) saw double digit percentage increases in closed sales and median sales prices.

Personally, I had several closings that initially went under contract at the end of summer (August/September), and one quick close. Typically, once school starts, the number of buyers requesting showings substantially decreases, but not so much this year. Yes, I am technically less active than I was in say July, but this market has remained competitive, long past the normal time frame.

Sellers: I implore you to investigate for yourself. Look at the statistics, you can find them everywhere: it is an exceptional sellers market. Assess your long term goals and act accordingly, because no one knows how much longer the housing market will remain so heavily in your favor. Specifically, as we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, be aware that #1: nothing is more welcoming than a home decorated for the holidays, and #2: the buyers that are still looking right now are very serious.

Buyers: there are more of you actively looking to purchase real estate right now; be prepared to offer your ‘highest and best,’ but stay firm in your financial morals. If you feel more comfortable having a financing contingency and a home inspection, then include them in your offer–whether or not your offer is accepted, you still have to sleep at night.

One truth that remains forever true: holiday season means the year is almost over. This year has been full of lessons, but my biggest take away was: preparedness. Having goals and strategies are essential to financial health, but real security is only achievable by flexibility. Feel free to reach out and ask if you need anything. Stay well,

Sources:

Existing-Home Sales Jump 4.3% to 6.85 Million in October by Quintin Simmons of NAR

Monthly Indicators by MetroMLS

Local Market Reports by MetroMLS & ShowingTime

September 2020 Housing Market

Featured

What a year it has been. September 2020 showed continued strength in the real estate market, despite the pandemic. The MetroMLS released their ‘Monthly Indicators,’ this past week with positive news.

Strong buyer activity has continued into the fall, which is normally the start of the seasonal slowing of the housing market. With stronger buyer activity in the market this year and the continued constrained supply of homes for sale, speedy sales and multiple offers are likely to remain a common occurrence and will keep the housing market hot even when the weather is cooling.
[…]
While mortgage rates remain near record lows, The Mortgage Bankers Association reports that lending standards are tightening, which makes it a bit more difficult for some buyers to qualify. At the same time, unemployment remains substantially higher than a year ago due to COVID-19. Despite all this, buyers are out in full force this fall, showing amazing resilience in the middle of
a pandemic.
Monthly Indicators by MetroMLS

In our hyper-local market, of Kenosha, Racine & Walworth Counties, all our numbers were up in September 2020, compared to September 2019. Increased median sales price, more new listings, and more sales. Below are the ‘Local Market Reports‘ by MetroMLS & ShowingTime.

Nationally, in regards to last month’s market, Realtor.com stated,

“Homes are sold at an increasingly fast pace when compared to last year, and prices remain at all-time-highs into September. Inventory continues to be constrained by stronger than normal buyer demand and little new inventory.”
September 2020 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report: Heightened Summer Housing Market Activity Spilling Over into Fall by Realtor.com

Overall, like last month, I’ve been on more showings and written more offers per buyer accepted offer, in September. I see new listing after new listing go under contract within days of hitting the market, later in the year than I am used to seeing, as well.

My message to all is to stay in tune with this evolving market. More jobs are going remote than ever before, which means more city-folk are moving country-side. This means competition and higher housing prices. Sellers: be aware that increased demand and bidding wars may lead to local buyers stepping out of the market soon. If demand decreases, prices will follow suit; if you want to list your home, do so before the holidays. Buyers: interest rates are still low, but you will need to be ready to act, and prepared to compete, when the right home hits the market. Get your pre-approval now, and check on the inventory in your local market often. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for an MLS search update.