02 May Real Estate News – More Good News On Home Sales

For the past few months there have been a number of news stories indicating that the real estate market is improving.    While many parts of the country still show poor numbers in the leveling off of foreclosures and falling property values, increasingly, more parts of the country are showing vastly improved numbers in home sales.

Most recently, an article in the Wall Street Journal indicates the pending homes sales have risen to the highest level in 2 years.

 NAR: Pending home sales rise to highest level in 2 years

By Justin T. Hilley

Pending home sales increased in March and are well above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

NAR’s pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 4.1% to 101.4 in March from an upwardly revised 97.4 in February.    It is 12.8% above March 2011 when it was 89.9.    The data reflects contracts but not closings.

The index is now at the highest level since April 2010 when it reached 111.3.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said 2012 is expected to be a year of recovery for housing.   “First-quarter sales closings were the highest first-quarter sales in five years.    The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good,” he said.

“The housing market has clearly turned the corner,” Yun added.   “Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions … which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses.”

The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20% of transactions for existing-home sales.    An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year of examination.

If you’ve been planning on selling your home – give Tom or Mary Ann Anderson a call and let them explain what they can do for you.