Real Estate Market Update For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio – February 2008

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February 2008 Home Sales For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

 
 

February 2007

February 2008

+ / –

Closed Units

82

79

-3.66%

Average Sale Price

$235,031

$228,849

-2.63%

Average Days On Market

82

84

+2.44%

Average List to Sale Price %

96.88%

95.19%

-1.69%

When is a decrease in home sales good news??

When the decrease in the number of closed units is the lowest percentage decrease in quite some time.

Home sales in West Chester and Liberty Township fell by 3.66% in February 2008 when compared to February 2007.  This is remarkable when you consider that the last couple of months decreases were 29.27% In January and 21.00% in December.  We are seeing sporadic increases of showing activity by buyers, however these showings are not resulting in an increase in sales as of yet, however this is clearly an improvement over the steep declines that we were seeing.

The average sale price in West Chester and Liberty Township was $228,849 in February.   This is a lower average sale price than what was seen in February of 2007.  It is 2.63% lower than 2007.  This is certainly not surprising and continues to re-inforce the need to price your home aggressively to get it sold.

Wondering what your home is worth??

Click here to find the current market value of your home

The average days on market rose to an average of 84 days on the market,  which is a 14 day increase over homes that closed in January and it is just a 2 day increase over February 2007.  Keep in mind, the “days on market” statistic is based on homes that have sold and closed, and is not impacted by homes that are still for sale.  So that home that you drive by everyday, that you know has been for sale for months and months, is not factored into this statistic.

The list price to sale price ratio was considerably lower again in February 2008 as compared to February 2007.  It fell 1.69 basis points from the prior year and was .09 basis points higher than January 2008.  This list to sale price ratio of 95.19% is one of the strongest indicators of jus how much of a buyer’s market this really is.

Mortgage rates have climbed considerably.   Mortgage rates which were hovering around 5.49% for a thirty year fixed rate mortgage just weeks ago, are now  at 6.05% for the same thirty year fixed rate mortgage.  I had many people tell me that they were waiting for rates to go even lower when they were at 5.49%.  These people waited to buy or refinance and missed out on a great rate.  Will the rates return to these lower levels??  Only time will tell.  My guess is they may not get below 5.50%  again for quite some time.  If they do, I sure wouldn’t wait again!

As always I will continue to monitor these real estate market numbers  for West Chester and Liberty Township Ohio and will share them as they become available.  Should you have particular questions about these numbers please let me know!

If you would like to learn the current market value of your home I would be happy to provide you with it.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

New Listing In West Chester, Ohio 45069 – Saratoga Farms

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My New Listing In West Chester…

8894 Steeplechase Way

West Chester, Ohio 45069

Lakota Schools

$200,000  – Four Bedrooms – Two Full Baths, One Half Bath

This is a beautiful, move in ready home in Saratoga Farms:

  • Bright, Open Floor Plan
  • Warm,Inviting Family Room w/ Fireplace
  • Formal Living and Dining Rooms
  • Large Kitchen Features New Hardwood Floors, Breakfast Nook & Island
  • Terrific Luxury Master Suite w/ Adjoining Garden Bath & Huge Walk-In Closet
  • Many Updates Including New Exterior Doors (08) & Windows (07)
  • One Year Home Warranty
  • Close To Schools, Shopping, Dining & Expressways!

The Secrets To Selling Your Home In West Chester & Liberty Twp, Ohio Right Now!

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Are these really secrets?  No, but they are certainly the keys to selling your home in this market!

Secret #1:

Your home must standout!  The condition of your home must be great, (good doesn’t cut it).  The decor must be tasteful, it must be clean and fresh.  Your home must be updated;  for example, new countertops and appliances in the kitchen, new carpet, maybe a new or re-finished deck, etc.  Spring is coming, (I think), so look at the front of your home.  Is it clean, freshly mulched, no weeds, etc.?  

Need more information on this, email me and I will send you my checklist, “20 Steps To Help You Sell Your Home”.   Have questions call me.

There are so many homes for sale right now that the homes that are cluttered, dark and out-dated are being and will continue to be overlooked by today’s buyers.  And, these homes will continue to sit on the market for sale.

Secret #2:

Your home must be priced right!  The price of your home must be great, (good doesn’t cut it).  “Trying a little higher price” on your home for a while has never been a good strategy, now in this real estate market in West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio it is a really bad strategy.  The homes that are selling are priced aggressively.  This may be hard for some homeowners to accept, but it is the truth!

So…  these aren’t really secrets, but they are the answers to the question “What will it take to get my home sold in this market in West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio?”.

Wondering what your home is worth?   Click here to find out!

Your comments and questions are always welcome!

FHA Loan Limits, Interest Rates Impact West Chester Ohio Real Estate

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FHA loan limits are moving higher as part of the Economic Stimulus package that President Bush signed into law this past week.  Why should this matter and how will it impact the West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio real estate market?  Great question!

1.)  The higher loan limits when they are published by HUD will allow a significantly higher number of buyers to qualify for an FHA loan, which has less stringent qualifying criteria and lower down payment requirements. 

2.) This change in the loan limits may open up some additional avenues for buyers to obtain financing, which will certainly impact our West Chester and Liberty Township real estate market.  Many borrowers, in particular first time home buyers, have felt that they may not be able to get a mortgage loan due to all of the recent news and talk about the sub prime mortgage mess.

The National Association Of Realtors has developed an “estimated” amount of the new loans.  These are only estimates at this time.  HUD has 30 days to publish the new loan limits.  The estimated FHA loan limit for West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio are $337,500, which is a significant increase from the old limit of $256,500.

Interest rates have moved higher in the last couple of weeks.  Just three weeks ago a 30 fixed rate loan was 5.49% with no points and as of Friday it was now 5.80% with no points.  Ouch!  Will the rates go lower again?  It is so hard to say if rates will go up or if they will go down and if someone tells you they do know the answer, proceed with caution.  My sense is that we are in a range for rates that we will probably stay in for a while.  With rates moving slightly lower and then back up slightly higher.  There is no doubt in my mind though, at some point, there will be people saying they wished they hadn’t waited so long and missed out on the opportunity to get a 5.5% or so interest rate.

Your comments and thoughts are always welcome!

New Listing In West Chester Ohio 45069

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My New Listing In West Chester Ohio …

8111 Tollbridge Court

West Chester, Ohio 45069

Lakota Schools

$229,900  – Three Bedrooms – Two Full Baths, One Half Bath

Don’t Wait To See This Home:

  • Beautiful, Open Floor Plan
  • Vaulted Great Room Features Gas Fireplace
  • Vaulted Dining Room w/ Hardwood Floors
  • Large Kitchen Features Hardwood Floors, Breakfast Nook & Island
  • First Floor Master Suite w/ Adjoining Luxury Bath
  • Terrific, Sought After Cul-de-Sac Street (Tollbridge Court)
  • One Year Home Warranty
  • Close To Schools, Shopping, Dining & Expressways!

January 2008 Home Sales For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

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January 2008 Home Sales For West Chester & Liberty Township, Ohio

 
 

January 2007

January 2008

+ / –

Closed Units

82

58

-29.27%

Average Sale Price

$228,572

$219,688

-3.89%

Average Days On Market

78

70

-10.26%

Average List to Sale Price %

95.86%

95.10%

-.76%

In review…

The number of closed units fell by 29.27% which continues to show a weak market for home sales.  We are seeing sporadic increases of showing activity by buyers, however these showings are not resulting in increased sales as of yet.  This just re-inforces the need to price a home very competitively to get it sold.  There are homes selling,  as evidence by these homes which sold in 35 DAYS, 38 DAYS, 18 DAYS and 28 DAYS!

The average sale price was $219,688 in January.  As I have stated before this is probably the most over examined statistic in real estate today.  This month it does reflect a lower average sale price than what was seen in January of 2007.  It is 3.89% lower than 2007.  This is certainly not surprising.

The average days on market came down to an average of 70 days on market which is a huge improvement over the average of 102 days that we saw on the homes that closed in December and it is also lower than the average for January 2007.  This can be looked at as a positive sign, however it is based on the smallest sampling of sales that we have seen in some time and we do still have an increasing inventory of homes for sale.

The list price to sale price ratio was considerably lower again in January 2008 as compared to January 2007.  It fell .76 basis points from the prior year and .62 points when compared to December 2007.

For a bit of really good news…  we continue to look to mortgage rates which are hovering around 5.65% for a thirty year fixed rate mortgage.  These are unbelievable times to be buying a home!

As always I will continue to monitor these market numbers  for West Chester and Liberty Township Ohio and will share them as they become available.  Should you have particular questions about these numbers please let me know!

If you would like to learn the current market value of your home I would be happy to provide you with it.

I would love to hear your thoughts as well!