I just spent some time researching Foreclosures in the area. If you are looking for a great deal on a home (or land) check out these…
HOMES
http://www.navica2.net/displays/?n=390&i=868468&k=vVRK
LAND
http://www.navica2.net/displays/?n=390&i=868469&k=hEAQL
Note* There are more potential short sales in the area than there are Foreclosures, but either way, you can get a great deal.
Call me if you have any questions,
Marc White
Marketing Specialist, ABR, GRI, ePro
Broker/REALTOR
Direct 828-406-2134
I anticipate a "rush" of buyers as the snow calms, which we should have a little breather in the next few weeks. Then, it will be a matter of time (lets keep our fingers crossed) before the Spring Bloom arrives in the High Country. This is a great time to show off your property and a great time to exploit the market with new, fresh photographs. Let's keep moving forward and focusing on the "Great Thaw-Out".
Regards,
PS. If you would like to see a great photograph of the thought process for many of us in the High Country go to www.marcwhiterealestate.com. I pass this everyday coming to and from work.
Marc White
Marketing Specialist, ABR, GRI, ePro
2009 High Country Association TOP TEN Listing Agent
Broker/REALTOR
Direct 828-406-2134
Fourth Quarter Home Sales Surge 13.9%
Strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®.
Sales increased from the third quarter in 48 states and the
Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, jumped 13.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.03 million in the fourth quarter from 5.29 million in the third quarter, and are 27.2 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Distressed property accounted for 32 percent of fourth quarter transactions, down from 37 percent a year earlier.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the first-time home buyer tax credit was the dominant factor.
“The surge in home sales was driven by buyers responding strongly to the tax credit combined with record low mortgage interest rates,” he said. “With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices.”
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.92 percent in the fourth quarter from 5.16 percent in the third quarter; it was 5.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In the fourth quarter, 67 out of 151 metropolitan statistical areas reported higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2008, including 16 with double-digit increases; one was unchanged and 84 metros had price declines. In the third quarter, only 30 MSAs showed annual price increases and 123 areas were down.
The national median existing single-family price was $172,900, which is 4.1 percent below the fourth quarter of 2008; the median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. “This is the smallest price decline in over two years, with the most recent monthly data showing a broad stabilization in home prices,” Yun said. “Because buyers are taking on long-term fixed rate mortgages, avoiding adjustable-rate products, and trying to stay well within their budgets, the price recovery process appears durable."
NAR President Vicki Cox Golder said near-term market conditions will remain favorable.
“Mortgage interest rates are expected to trend up later this year, but right now we have very good conditions with steadying home prices and favorable inventory in most areas, especially in the higher price ranges,” she said.
Golder said one of the biggest issues now is for repeat buyer who will have to accelerate their buying plans if they want the expanded tax credit. They have to have a contract by the end of April.
Repeat buyers do not have to sell their existing home, but all buyers must occupy the property they purchase as a primary residence to qualify for the tax credit. Buyers who have a contract in place by April 30, 2010, have until June 30, 2010, to finalize the transaction to get a credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers.
Markets by Region
Northwest: Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 11.1 percent in the fourth quarter to a pace of 1.03 million and are 33.6 percent higher than a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Northeast declined 5.6 percent to $234,900 in the fourth quarter from the same quarter in 2008, but with widely varying conditions.
“In the Northeast, markets with lower median prices that have avoided wide swings, such as
Midwest: In the
Yun said markets with high unemployment rates in
South: In the South, existing-home sales rose 13.8 percent in the fourth quarter to an annual rate of 2.23 million and are 28.2 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2008. The median existing single-family home price in the South was $153,000 in the fourth quarter, down 2.4 percent from a year earlier.
“Affordable markets in the South that have relatively better local economies are seeing healthy price gains, such as Houston, Oklahoma City and Shreveport, La.,” Yun said.
West: Existing-home sales in the West jumped 16.2 percent in the fourth quarter to an annual rate of 1.38 million and are 18.2 percent above a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the West was $227,200 in the fourth quarter, which is 8.9 percent below the fourth quarter of 2008, but with many areas showing notable gains.
“Markets in the West such as
A Closer Look at the Condo Market
Metro area condominium and cooperative prices – covering changes in 54 metro areas – showed the national median existing-condo price was $177,300 in the fourth quarter, down 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008. Eleven metros showed increases in the median condo price from a year earlier and 43 areas had declines; in the third quarter only four metros experienced annual price gains.
Source: NAR
Marc White
Marketing Specialist, ABR, GRI, ePro
Broker/REALTOR
Direct 828-406-2134
CLICK: Local news & information: NC High Country Real Estate
I want to make this a quick read for everyone…
The Bad: our numbers are still a little below where they need to be for us to have a Terrific spring market.
The Good: With the HORRIBLE weather we have had (at least horrible for buyers wanting to look at property), the number of properties Under Contract have risen in the past few weeks. We have had more snow this year than all of last year, and we are anticipating another large snowfall this weekend (and we still have another 2 winter months to go).
Regards,
Marc White
Marketing Specialist, ABR, GRI, ePro
2009 High Country Association TOP TEN Listing Agent
Broker/REALTOR
Direct 828-406-2134
