This Week’s Short Stories in Real Estate

This Week’s Short Stories in Real Estate

Home Sales Rise to 2nd Highest Pace in 3 Years

In January, the sales of previously occupied homes rose to the second-highest level in three years. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales rose 0.4 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million.

Active Adult Communities for Boomers are Growing

Over-55 communities are changing with the new influx of baby boomers. When these communities first came on the scene, they provided more sedentary activities, such as craft studios. However, today’s new active adult community resident is more tech savvy, and is still working or looking for work. These residents also want to be active in their communities and do volunteer work.

Home Price Activity Normalizing

Since 1997, U.S. home prices have been through some major swings. From 1997 until the crash that began in earnest in 2007, home prices were increasing at rates averaging more than 5% per year, above the historic norms. Since 2007, the dramatic 30%+ drop in prices into late 2012 was dramatic. Now prices seem to be settling into a steady and sustainable 3% annual rate of appreciation.

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