Multiple bidding in a low inventory environment continues to lead to shorter days on the market. About 37 percent of REALTORS® reported that in March recently sold properties were on the market for less than a month when sold compared to 27 percent in the same month last year. The percentage of REALTORS® reporting that the house sold had been on the market for 6 months or more is down to 20 percent from 28 percent a year ago. This information can be found in the March REALTORS® Confidence Index (RCI) Survey report.
Distressed property sold at a discount of between 12 to 35 percent of the market value depending on property conditions over the past year, based on information from the March REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey. Not surprisingly, the price discount is affected by the property condition: properties in the poorest condition are discounted at twice the rate of those with above average condition. Currently, about 21 percent of Existing Home Sales are distressed properties.
Tight inventory has led to shorter time on the market. The median days on the market fell to 62 days in March (74 in February). Short sales had the longest days on market at 81 days (101 days in February), while foreclosures were on the market for 46 days (52 days in February). The median days on the market for non-distressed properties was 66 days (77 days in February). This based on information in the March REALTORS® Confidence Index (RCI) Survey.
What Does This Mean for REALTORS®?
This is another example of continued housing market recovery and expansion.
The share of distressed properties on the market continued to decline. About 21 percent of REALTORS® reporting on their last sale in March sold distressed properties, compared to approximately 40 percent in March 2011. This is based on data from the March REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey.
Distressed sales are mostly sold for cash. Distressed sales accounted for 35 percent of cash sales compared to 21 percent of mortgage sales.
Approximately 30 percent of REALTORS® reporting on their last sale had a cash sale (32 percent in February). Investors and international buyers typically pay cash. About 9 percent of REALTORS® reporting a sale to a first-time homebuyer also reported cash sales, while over 70 percent of reported last sales to investors and international buyers were for cash. This is based on data from the March REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey.
What Does This Mean for REALTORS®?
The first time buyer faces a challenge—particularly given that investors are in many cases paying cash—as are second home buyers and international buyers. The key to success appears to be getting financing in place.
