Words Matter

/in , , , , , , /by

A common phrase that is being used right now to describe the market is ‘no inventory.’

‘There’s no inventory’ is said frequently among those inside and outside of the real estate industry.

The problem with this phrase is that it is untrue.

There is inventory.  Meaning, there are a significant number of new listings hitting the market.

However, there is low standing inventory.  Meaning, the listings that do hit the market don’t stick around for very long before they are purchased.

Standing inventory, which is the number of active properties on the market, is down roughly 70% along the Front Range.

However, the number of new listings coming on the market is essentially:

  • Double compared to December 2020
  • Only 20% to 25% less than this time of year in 2017, 2018, and 2019

So, there is inventory available, it just sells quickly because demand is historically high right now.

The post Words Matter appeared first on Windermere Colorado REALTORS.

Calculated Risk

/in , , , , , , , , /by

The economic research blog called “Calculated Risk” just completed a fascinating study on home prices.

Specifically, they looked at the correlation between home price growth and inventory.

They used price data from the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and inventory data from the National Association of Realtors.

No surprise, they found that the lower the inventory the higher the home price growth. Also no surprise, as inventory goes up, price growth slows down.

This all correlates with simple economic rules of supply and demand.

The interesting part of their research is this: at a certain level of inventory, prices have the potential to go down.

That level, according to their research, is six months of inventory.

That means, prices don’t have a chance of decreasing in a market until there is at least 6 months of inventory available for sale.

To put that in perspective, today there is two weeks of inventory on the market along the Front Range.

So, there would need to be 12 times the amount of homes for sale on the market for prices to even have a chance to go down.

The post Calculated Risk appeared first on Windermere Colorado REALTORS.

Tax Confusion

/in , , , , , , , , , /by

Did you know the value of your property according to the County Assessor is not the value of your property today?

Property owners up and down the Front Range recently received a postcard from their local County Assessor’s office with their new valuation.

Colorado properties are reappraised every two years on odd years.  The updated valuations determine how much property tax is paid.

Each County has their own unique processes and models for valuation, however…

All Counties must only consider comparable properties that sold between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2020.

The value on your postcard is what your County thinks your property was worth almost a year ago.

As you are likely aware, the market today is significantly different than it was 11 months ago.  It’s actually quite different than it was 11 weeks ago!

The postcards with the new valuations tend to prompt very reasonable questions like:

  • What do I do if I don’t agree with the Assessor?
  • What is my property really worth?

We are happy to help you with either of these questions.

Our team is well-versed in the tax protest process, can help you research comparable properties and can also show you what your home is worth today. Just reach out to us if we can help you. The deadline to protest your value is June 1st.

The post Tax Confusion appeared first on Windermere Colorado REALTORS.

5.5 Million Short

/in , , , , , , , , /by

New home construction is behind by 5.5 million homes over the last 14 years.

Since 2007, new home starts have lagged significantly behind the long-term average.

The Census Bureau started tracking National new home starts in 1958.

Between 1958 and 2007, an average of 1,102,938 new homes were started each year.

Between 2007 and 2020 the average fell to 708,186 which represents a shortfall of 394,752 per year.

That adds up to a total shortfall of 5,526,525.

The under-supply of new homes is of course a significant reason why the market is under-supplied overall.

credit Inman News as the source of this story

The post 5.5 Million Short appeared first on Windermere Colorado REALTORS.