Existing Home Sales Improve in April

Hello Neighbors,

It's a VERY long article, but the data seems to be good news.

We are hearing economists talk about a potential "double dip recession"... we sure hope not. Technically though, we won't know until after the data gets reported.

Let's hope we see more of this.

Many thanks to NAR for the research,

- Jim


www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)


Existing-Home Sales Continue to Improve in April
Washington, D.C., May 24, 2010

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2010) – Existing-home sales rose again in April with buyers motivated by the tax credit, improving consumer confidence and favorable affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.77 million units in April from an upwardly revised 5.36 million in March, and are 22.8 percent higher than the 4.70 million-unit pace in April 2009. Monthly sales rose 7.0 percent in March.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the gain was widely anticipated. “The upswing in April existing-home sales was expected because of the tax credit inducement, and no doubt there will be some temporary fallback in the months immediately after it expires, but other factors also are supporting the market,” he said. “For people who were on the sidelines, there’s been a return of buyer confidence with stabilizing home prices, an improving economy and mortgage interest rates that remain historically low.”

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.10 percent in April from 4.97 percent in March; the rate was 4.91 percent in April 2009.

Total housing inventory at the end of April rose 11.5 percent to 4.04 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.4-month supply2 at the current sales pace, up from an 8.1-month supply in March. Raw unsold inventory is 2.7 percent above a year ago, but remains 11.6 percent below the record of 4.58 million in July 2008.

“Although inventory levels remain above normal and much of the gain last month was seasonal, the housing price correction appears essentially over,” Yun said. “In fact, a majority of the markets have seen price gains recently. A return to old-fashioned responsible lending and buying will help the housing market avoid disruptive and painful bubble-bust cycles.”

The national median existing-home price3 for all housing types was $173,100 in April, up 4.0 percent from April 2009. Distressed homes accounted for 33 percent of sales last month, compared with 35 percent in March.

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said buyer traffic is mixed. “It looks like the level of home sales that close in May and June will stay elevated, but many buyers remain in the market even without the tax credit,” she said. “Some Realtors® tell us they are very busy with clients who are entering the market now as a result of improved conditions, while others are welcoming a slowdown from frantic market conditions in recent months.

“Buyers are focused on finding the right house and taking advantage of favorable affordability conditions. For many buyers, owning a home is a lifestyle choice. They want a place of their own to raise a family, build memories, and be part of a larger community,” Golder said.

A parallel NAR practitioner survey4 shows first-time buyers purchased 49 percent of homes in April, up from 44 percent in March. Investors accounted for 15 percent of transactions in April, down from 19 percent in March; the remaining sales were to repeat buyers. All-cash sales stood at 26 percent in April; they were 27 percent in March.

Single-family home sales rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million in April from a pace of 4.70 million in March, and are 20.5 percent above the 4.19 million level in April 2009. The median existing single-family home price was $173,400 in April, up 4.5 percent from a year ago.

Single-family median prices rose in 18 out of 20 metropolitan statistical areas reported in April from a year ago; six of the areas experienced double-digit increases. In data recently reported for the first quarter, 91 out of 152 metros saw price gains.

Existing condominium and co-op sales jumped 9.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 720,000 in April from 660,000 in March, and are 42.3 percent above the 506,000-unit pace in April 2009. The median existing condo price5 was $171,000 in April, which is 0.6 percent below a year ago.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast surged 21.1 percent to an annual level of 1.09 million in April and are 41.6 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $243,000, up 2.1 percent from April 2009.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 9.9 percent in April to a pace of 1.33 million and are 29.1 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $146,400, up 5.8 percent from April 2009.

In the South, existing-home sales increased 8.6 percent to an annual level of 2.14 million in April and are 23.0 percent higher than April 2009. The median price in the South was $150,000, up 1.2 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the West fell 6.2 percent to an annual rate of 1.21 million in April but are 5.2 percent above a year ago. The median price in the West was $212,400, up 3.8 percent from April 2009.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

# # #

NOTE: NAR also reports monthly comparisons of existing single-family home sales and median prices for 20 select metropolitan statistical areas, which is posted with other tables at: www.realtor.org/research/research/ehsdata. For information on areas not included in the report, please contact the local association of Realtors®.

1Existing-home sales, which include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, are based on transaction closings. This differs from the U.S. Census Bureau’s series on new single-family home sales, which are based on contracts or the acceptance of a deposit. Because of these differences, it is not uncommon for each series to move in different directions in the same month. In addition, existing-home sales, which generally account for 85 to 90 percent of total home sales, are based on a much larger sample – more than 40 percent of multiple listing service data each month – and typically are not subject to large prior-month revisions.

The annual rate for a particular month represents what the total number of actual sales for a year would be if the relative pace for that month were maintained for 12 consecutive months. Seasonally adjusted annual rates are used in reporting monthly data to factor out seasonal variations in resale activity. For example, home sales volume is normally higher in the summer than in the winter, primarily because of differences in the weather and family buying patterns. However, seasonal factors cannot compensate for abnormal weather patterns.

Single-family data collection began monthly in 1968, while condo data collection began quarterly in 1981; the series were combined in 1999 when monthly collection of condo data began. Prior to this period, single-family homes accounted for more than nine out of 10 purchases. Historic comparisons for total home sales prior to 1999 are based on monthly single-family sales, combined with the corresponding quarterly sales rate for condos.

2Total inventory and month’s supply data are available back through 1999, while single-family inventory and month’s supply are available back to 1982 (prior to 1999, condos were measured quarterly while single-family sales accounted for more than 90 percent of transactions).

3The only valid comparisons for median prices are with the same period a year earlier due to the seasonality in buying patterns. Month-to-month comparisons do not compensate for seasonal changes, especially for the timing of family buying patterns. Changes in the composition of sales can distort median price data. Year-ago median and mean prices sometimes are revised in an automated process if more data is received than was originally reported.

4First-time buyer and distressed sales data are from the Realtors® Confidence Index.

5Because there is a concentration of condos in high-cost metro areas, the national median condo price generally is higher than the median single-family price. In a given market area, condos typically cost less than single-family homes.

Existing-home sales for May will be released June 22. The next Pending Home Sales Index is scheduled for

June 2; release times are 10 a.m. EDT.

Referral Needed: Virtual Tour Provider in Austin, Texas

Hello Neighbors,

Yep, an odd request through this blog, but we need a hand.

We have the need to film virtual tours of a few different properties in and around Austin, Texas.

Our own team has been trying to create these, and they are doing a good job. We just aren't getting the "wide angle" view we need.

This is the level of quality we provide here for our listings, and what we are looking to achieve in Texas:

http://www.realtourvision.com/tour/RE/tour.view.new.php?utl=RE-5041-39RYKJ-01

If you know of anyone who produces virtual tours like this in the Austin area, please send me their contact information. Please also send a URL with example work (or have them send it) to Jim@NeighborlyRealty.com

Many thanks,

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

Coming Soon: 3500 Square Feet on an Acre

Hello Neighbors - actual and virtual.

We are helping a family on our own street sell their custom home. We will likely go to market in July.

Approx 3500 square feet on an acre. If you are interested - or know someone in need of Auburn, California - please call me.

Not a short sale, not a foreclosure.

High quality neighbors guaranteed.

Many thanks,

- Jim

(916) 801.3940

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

Now Hiring: Full Time or Part Time "Dual Career" Agents

Neighborly Realty is looking for agents, full time or part time "Dual Career".

Are you curious about what it's like to be a Realtor or how to become a Realtor?

Do you know of an agent that might be interested in talking to us about coming on board?

Please contact Neighborly's Kevin Grimes via Careers@NeighborlyRealty.com, or call Kevin directly at 916.747.6357.

Many thanks!

- Jim Harris
MBA, GRI, ASP, ePRO, CNE
(916) 801.3940


www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (slowly making progress!)

See Neighborly Financial's YouTube Videos

Hello Neighbors,

John has published the Neighborly Financial Q2 newsletter.

On the first page, he points you to a ton of videos stored out on YouTube.

Take a look:



The videos cover a variety of topics, and include:

* Getting pre-qualified for a loan
* The truth about advertised rates
* How to save money on a loan
* ...a few other topics.

Go into YouTube and search for "Neighborly" today.

Or, jump on the www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com website and see the videos linked from there.

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

Coming to Market Soon !!

Hello Neighbors,

We've got a few homes coming to market soon, and a few short sales that need Buyers!

Please take a look at the flyer below and let us know if you have any questions.



Neighborly is representing property from Elk Grove to Grass Valley... and everywhere in between.

Should your family need help, we would like to help you with properly marketing your home.

...over 80% of Buyers find their homes this way - through the internet. Make sure you work with someone who knows technology.

Please call.

Many thanks.

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

Homes Needed for These Buyers

Hello Neighbors!

We need your help.

Neighborly is trying to help several families with home purchases. Due to the low inventory levels (and what is out there is mostly short sales), we are looking for your help.

If you have a need to sell, or know someone who is thinking of selling - please pass the flyer below to them. You can simply pass this blog URL.




If you would like an emailed copy of this flyer, please drop me a note.

We all thank you for your assistance - Neighborly and the families we are helping.

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

Neighborly's KidsFest Update

Hello Neighbors,

GREAT fun a week ago at KidsFest in Rocklin.

The event came off really well. Over 1,000 people passed through the grounds during that 4 hour period.

For those of you who signed up for the free Hewlett Packard printer?

We have a winner! Marla Hall of Citrus Heights. Congratulations Marla! Kevin from our team will be contacting you shortly.

For those of you who signed up for the free CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) of your home, the team will be contacting you shortly as well. That research is equivalent to a “mini-appraisal”.

If any of your friends or family would like a CMA review, please let us know! We’re happy to help.

Neighborly is a Northern California based company and appreciates your support,

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making progress!)

"Strategic Defaults" - Borrowers Who Can Afford Their Homes, but Walk Away

Hello Neighbors,

60 minutes did a story last night on something we see in this business on a daily basis.

"Strategic Defaults". When a home owner CAN afford their mortgage, but they decide to walk away from their home and let it go to foreclosure.

Here's the link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6470184n

Although I agree with the depression-era view - that losing your house is the last straw - it's clear not everyone else does.

Regardless of your moral or ethical view of this trend, the economic impacts are something to find concerning. We simply don't have economic models for this behavior.

We know banks are sitting on foreclosed homes and not releasing them to the market. If 1 of every 5 upside down borrowers is choosing to walk away, then the foreclosure rates are going to continue to be record setting for years to come.

If you need to short sell, give Neighborly a call.

Please don't walk away. We can help you protect your financial future by doing the right thing.

- Jim

www.NeighborlyRealty.com

www.NeighborlyFinancialMortgage.com

www.NeighborlyGroup.com

www.PartnerWithNeighborly.com (making small steps forward)