Note: September 2018 data below are the most recent released by the National Association of Realtors.

Existing-home sales declined in September after a month of stagnation in August, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions saw no gain in sales activity.

Total existing-home sales (transactions including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops) did not change from July and remained at a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.34 million in August. Sales are now down 1.5 percent from a year ago (5.42 million in August 2017).  

NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun says rising interest rates have led to a decline in sales across all regions of the country. “This is the lowest existing home sales level since November 2015,” he said. “A decade’s high mortgage rates are preventing consumers from making quick decisions on home purchases. All the while, affordable home listings remain low, continuing to spur underperforming sales activity across the country.”

The median existing-home price for all housing types in September was $258,100, up 4.2 percent from September 2017 ($247,600). September’s price increase marks the 79th straight month of year-over-year gains.

Total housing inventory at the end of September decreased from 1.91 million in August to 1.88 million existing homes available for sale, and is up from 1.86 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.4-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 4.3 last month and 4.2 months a year ago.  

Properties typically stayed on the market for 32 days in September, up from 29 days in August but down from 34 days a year ago. Forty-seven percent of homes sold in September were on the market for less than a month. 

Per Freddie Mac data, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 4.63 percent in September from 4.55 percent in August. The average commitment rate for all of 2017 was 3.99 percent.

Today's low interest rates and stabilized home prices have created some great investment opportunities!

Investing in real estate has unique advantages over other types of investments. Of course, wise investors may have various instruments in their portfolio, but real estate has a long-term track record of proving its worth.

Here are some of real estate investing's advantages:

• Interest in mortgage loans are tax-deductible. Investors can lower their tax liability while increasing their equity.
• Renters pay down your mortgage loan. Investors reap the benefits of rental income, which offsets your mortgage cost and build equity.
• Real Estate values increase over the long term. Real Estate is limited and will always be in demand. 
• 1031 exchanges are available to defer taxable income when you are ready to sell.

Many investors are taking advantage of these great market conditions. Have questions? Give us a call. We are happy to help!

Selling your home in today's market requires strategy and execution. Here are some tips to help sellers reduce their time on market while getting excellent value:

• Make it shine. Buyers are attracted to attractive homes. To make your home stand out, mow the lawn, rake the leaves, wash your windows, and clean the carpets. These small things can make a big difference.
   
• Remove clutter. Not only do clean homes show better, but tidy homes offer more to the imagination. One person's treasure is another person's trash. Removing unnecessary clutter will help potential buyers envision their own potential for the home.
   
• Consider removing art and personal keepsakes. This one is tough for certain people emotionally, but don't take it personally. Some savvy sellers go beyond de-cluttering and remove all (or most) of their personal artwork, family photos and personal mementos to make easier for potential buyers to imagine the home being theirs. 
   
• Pay attention to the market. Work with your agent and price your home to sell. A competitively priced home is the one that sells first, and in this market that counts for a lot. Even in fast-moving markets in many parts of the United States, overpricing your home can lead to selling it for less or incurring greater holding costs than if you had priced the house appropriately in the first place. An experienced agent will help you arrive at the most advantageous price for your home.

These simple tips can help you sell your home and take advantage of our today's market. Please contact us if you have any questions about selling your home. We are here to help!