With the New Year off to a promising start, our local residential market offers some exciting news and trends for both buyers and sellers in the Wilmington area for 2010. During the 4th quarter, our local market showed improvements in numbers of homes sold and seller’s asking price over 4th quarter 2008. These are strong indicators that the housing market is stabilizing and progressing towards a recovery.
Further analyzing the growth within the five major Wilmington zip codes, our average sales price has decreased 9.6% from 4th quarter 2008, and increased 5.3% from 3rd quarter 2009. When we look at the median sales price, we have a 12.0% decrease over 4th quarter 2008 and a .03% decrease over 3rd quarter.
• Sellers received 94.3% of the asking price in 4th quarter 2009, compared to 93.6% for 4th quarter 2008.
• 4th quarter 2009 had an increase in the number of sold homes by 34.5% from 4th quarter 2008.
Over the last couple of years, an analysis of five Wilmington zip codes – 28403, 28405, 28409, 28411, and 28412 was conducted. The areas of focus were:
• Sellers Concessions – The amount of money a seller of a house contributes toward the buyers purchase.
• List Price – The amount of money a home is listed on the market.
• Selling Price – The price the seller accepts for his or her house.
• Days on Market – The number of days a house remains for sale, from the listing date to the date the property is placed under contract.
• List to Sales Price Ratio – The difference between the list price and the selling price shown as a percentage.
2008 4th Quarter Average Selling Price vs. 2009 4th Quarter Average Selling Price
4th Quarter 2009 28403 Zip Code
• The average selling price, of $204,758 has decreased 14.7% from 4th quarter 2008 average selling price of $239,948.
• 17.9% of sellers in 4th quarter paid a concession, compared to 11.8% in 4th quarter 2008.
• The average list price of $221,351 for 4th quarter has decreased 18.1% over 4th quarter 2008 average list price of $270,202.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th quarter was 125 days, compared to 119 days for 4th quarter 2008.
• The median sold price of $166,250 for 4th quarter has decreased 18.1% from 4th quarter 2008.
• Sold homes in 4th quarter received 92.5% of the asking price, an increase from 88.8% 4th quarter 2008.
4th Quarter 2009 28405 Zip Code
• The average selling price, of $235,815 has decreased 24.2% from 4th quarter 2008 average selling price of $311,190.
• 23.6% of sellers in 4th quarter paid a concession, compared to 11.7% for 4th quarter 2008.
• The average list price of $248,213 for 4th quarter has decreased 25.3% from 4th quarter 2008 average list price of $332,122.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th quarter was 130 days, compared to 114 days for 4th quarter 2008.
• The median sold price of $169,500 for 4th quarter has decreased 15.9% from 4th quarter 2008.
• Sold homes in 4th quarter received 95.0% of the asking price, a increase from 93.7% for 4th quarter 2008.
4th Quarter 2009 28409 Zip Code
• The average selling price, of $274,895 has decreased 16.5% over 4th quarter 2008 average selling price of $329,333.
• 19.8% of sellers in 4th quarter paid a concession, compared to 11.3% in 4th quarter 2008.
• The average list price of $291,092 for 4th quarter has decreased 17.6% over 4th quarter 2008 average list price of $353,302.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th quarter was 136 days, compared to 138 days for 4th quarter 2008.
• The median sold price of $225,000 for 4th quarter has decreased 12.6% from 4th quarter 2008.
• Sold homes in 4th quarter received 94.4% of the asking price, a increase from 93.2% for 4th quarter 2008.
4th Quarter 2009 28411 Zip Code
• The average selling price, of $295,270 has increased 10.9% over 4th quarter 2008 average selling price of $266,349.
• 23.9% of sellers in 4th quarter paid a concession, compared to 22.0% in 4th quarter 2008.
• The average list price of $315,548 for 4th quarter has increased 13.9% over the 4th quarter 2008 average list price of $276,923.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th quarter was 109 days, compared to 110 days for 4th quarter 2008.
• The median sold price of $210,000 for 4th quarter has decreased 8.7% from 4th quarter 2008.
• Sold homes in 4th quarter received 93.5% of the asking price, a decrease from 96.1% for 4th quarter 2008.
4th Quarter 2009 28412 Zip Code
• The average selling price, of $204,192 has decreased 9.9% over 4th quarter 2008 average selling price of $226,648.
• 35.3% of sellers in 4th quarter paid a concession, compared to 31.8% in 4th quarter 2008.
• The average list price of $211,654 for 4th quarter has decreased 12.2% over the 4th quarter 2008 average list price of $241,127.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th quarter was 134 days, compared to 111 days for 4th quarter 2008.
• The median sold price of $183,000 for 4th quarter has decreased 1.1% from 4th quarter 2008.
• Sold homes in 4th quarter received 96.4% of the asking price, a increase from 94.0% for 4th quarter 2008.
Summary
Our fourth quarter wrapped up the year with a positive increase in units compared to 4th quarter 2008 by 34.5%. A lot of these sales were driven by the original tax credit that was set to expire on November 30, 2009. By now, we are all aware that it was extended until April 30th, 2010. While we might have sold more homes, our average sold price from fourth quarter 2008 showed a 9.6% decline. Our current inventory of homes is high with over 13 months of supply.
Four zip codes had average sold price decreases from 9.9% to 24.2%, over fourth quarter 2008, while 28411 posted an increase of 10.9% in average sold price. Our list to sales price ratio for the 4th quarter 2009 is 94.38%, a slight increase from 93.61% for 4th quarter 2008. The average list price of the sold properties is $261,884 and is down 10.4% from 4th quarter 2008.
Concessions offered to buyers are now offered in 17.9% to 35.3% of the transactions in 3rd quarter 2009. Our median sales price for 4th quarter ($188,134) reflects a downturn of 12.2% from 4th quarter 2008 ($213,750). Our overall average days on the market is 125, an increase of 7 days from 4th quarter 2008. Sellers in 28412 got about 96.4% of their asking price while those in 28403 only got 92.5% of their asking price. All five zip codes had an increase in units sold.
Last year will be looked at as the year in which our market bottomed out and started to stabilize. 2010 presents us with a housing opportunity that makes it the most affordable in generations. These are just some of the reasons that now is the time to buy:
1) The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been extended and expanded to include repeat, move-up buyers.
2) We know our home prices are down at least 10% from 2008.
3) Foreclosures and Short Sales make for excellent buying opportunities.
4) Mortgage rates have reached historic lows.
5) We have a large housing inventory.
An Analysis of information from the Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS® Incorporated, for the period Jan. 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009 – data pulled on January 17, 2010.
