Real Estate for Today’s Magalia and Paradise California Home Sellers and Home Buyers
The past 7 days have brought a solid ray of sunshine to the housing market. Not only did the January S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index rise for the eight straight month but SUPPRISE, SUPPRISE, SUPPRISE, February’s Pending Home Sales beat market expectations 8.2% (a decline of 0.2% was anticipated. Steven A. Wood chief Economist at Insight Economics, LLC states: |
"The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index ROSE by 0.3% (seasonally adjusted) in January to 146.3, its eighth consecutive increase for the first time since September 2005 - April 2006 at the end of the boom." |
“Home prices ROSE in January for the eighth straight month. This trimmed the year-on-year rate of decline to its slowest pace in 2 years. Although home prices are still falling on a year-on-year basis, there are increasing signs that home prices have begun to stabilize, even in some of those areas where the housing boom was quite substantial. In many regions, home prices have actually begun a modest recovery. Even in those areas where housing boomed the most, the rate of home price decline has slowed significantly. However, with unemployment remaining high, with mortgage delinquencies still climbing, and with more mortgage rate resets on Alt-A and Option ARM loans due to take place over the next year, home prices are still at risk for another dip.” |
"Pending Home Sales ROSE by 8.2% in February to 97.6, compared with market expectations for a 0.2% decline. Pending home sales are counted when sales contracts are signed and a viewed as a leading indicator of existing home sales. This surge occurred despite the severe snow storms in mid-month and may reflect homebuyers' attempt to purchase before the expiration of the extended homebuyers' tax credit at the end of April. Pending home sales are 17.3% ABOVE their year ago level. The regional composition showed a huge increase in the Midwest, big gains in the South and Northeast, and a moderate decline in the West. However, in every region, pending sales are ABOVE their year ago level." |
"Pending homes sales have plunged between October 2009 and January 2010 as the initial first time homebuyers tax credit expired. With the extended tax credit 'now set to expire at the end of April, homebuyers appear to be returning to the market. If that is indeed the case, another sharp run-up in home sales should occur through April before another sharp decline is experienced. A bottom has been reached in existing home sales and a recovery is underway but it is being heavily underpinned by government stimulus." |
For more information, you can visit my Web site or feel free to give me a call.
Tammy Vertrees, Paradise California Realtor
530-413-8383 Direct
530-872-5428 Office