In market news, the first quarter of real estate sales in Teton Valley indicates that short sales and REO’s continue to drive the local market. Of the 45 homes sold in Q1-2012, 90% were under $300,000. Sixty-nine percent of the homes sold were listed either as short sales or REO (bank-owned real estate). With a 24% increase in the number of homes sold under $300,000 this quarter versus Q1-2011, and considering 90% of the homes sold this quarter were under $300,000, we can safely say that most buyers are focused on picking up a good deal in this price range.
On the up side, there was a 7% increase in the number of homes sold this quarter, when compared with Q1-2011, and a 22% decline in the number of homes listed for a total of 372 homes on the market in the first quarter. Days on market dropped 23% to an average of 392 days, showing that properties are moving somewhat faster than a year ago.
Though the number of homes sold increased, the dollar volume of homes sold declined 15% and the average sales price of homes fell 22%, when compared with the same time period last year, to $165,400. As we enter the second quarter, 27% of residential listings are either REO’s or short sales.
On the land side of things, 18 lots sold in the first quarter, a 64% increase over the same quarter last year. When compared to Q1-2011, lots this quarter saw a 15% increase in their average sales price to $120,500 There has also been a 14% decline in the number of lots listed and a 15% drop in the average number of days on market.
For first time homebuyers, and those looking to upgrade, now could be the time to lock into low interest rates and follow the sandhill cranes to Teton valley. For more information on Teton Valley’s current market, please visit our online market report.