Posted on December 06, 2012 by Corey Hart
Dec

06

2012

Like most companies (and residents) of the DC Metro area, we're paying close attention to the fun-filled negotiations between the White House and the Republican majority in the house. Sequestration would obviously have a huge impact on the local economy, but our housing market is also extremely vulnerable to any mortgage interest deduction limits, even if relatively high caps are put on itemizers. For background, the always interesting (and concise) blog Econ70.com summarizes the new revenue options being considered (see their post):

"If all 1040-Schedule A deductions, including the mortgage interest deduction are capped at about $35,000, then homeowners with houses priced north of $500,000 would be the ones primarily affected, and their homes would fall in value. Interestingly, they might respond by reducing charitable giving. If, however, the deductible amount is limited to 80% of total deductions, then all itemizers would be hurt, and many more houses would decline in price."

How many of the homes sold (year-to-date) in key DC Metro areas would have been impacted by a $35,000 mortgage interest deduction cap?

Might be a good time for area homeowners to give their local congressman a ring!

 

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Corey Hart
Nov

19

2012

The nine regional videos are live. Have you grabbed the auto-updating embed code for your website yet? Visit the Videos section to view or embed your region's analysis now.  Here's the Northern Virginia MarketWatch:

market analysis, videos
Posted on November 12, 2012 by Corey Hart
Nov

12

2012

Market activity slows with the season, however indicators are stronger than last year; Price growth flattens, despite shrinking inventory

OVERVIEW

The Baltimore Metro housing market remains stronger than last year, but a seasonal slow-down is taking place throughout the region.  Sales numbers declined from last month, with the sharpest drop occurring in the single-family home segment.  Condo sales, on the other hand rose, which could be due to their lower price points.  Proportionally, condo sales continue to grain traction within the market, which could suggest a change in location preferences in the active buyer market. 

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Corey Hart
Nov

12

2012

Median prices are still rising due to low inventory and an uptick in market activity; Townhomes lead the way in new contracts and median price growth

OVERVIEW

Demand has picked back up in the Washington DC metro housing market in October following a typical September slow down.  Sales, new pending contracts, and median price gains are all above their 10-year average change from last month, an indication that buyers are still active in the market.  All market indicators are above last years levels, and many are at multi-year October highs.  The mild temperatures experienced in October could be playing a role as evidenced by a 7-year high for new pending contracts.  Buyers appear to be drawn towards townhomes and condo units, as the proportion of new contracts on single-family homes is the lowest it has been in 2 years.  This could be due to the lower price points of these properties as well as location preferences of the active buyer market.  Median prices are up in the region, posting the highest year-over-year price gain in nearly 7 years.

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Corey Hart
Oct

19

2012

According to the NAR's Existing-Home Sales Report for September, the national real estate market continued to show signs of improvement last month. Existing-home sales declined modestly, but inventory continued to tighten and the national median home price recorded its seventh back-to-back monthly increase from a year earlier,

The upward trend in pricing nationally aligns with the local trends reported in our local September Housing Market Update for the DC Metro region.

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