Centreville, VA Market Report 5/21/10

Centreville is HOT! Steadily rising prices and increasing demand and supply over the past few months means that Good Times are ahead. Plus with great shopping, entertainment and dining options what’s not to like about Centreville?

The following statistics reflect the real estate market in Centreville, Virginia:

• Homes for sale: 435 (up from 401 last month, and up slightly from 424 at same time last year.)
• Homes Sold: 110 (up from 89 in March and February’s snowy 44 units. Up from 83 one year ago.)
• Average sold price: $337,492 (big jump up from $297,079 last month and WAY UP from $298,761 at the same time last year.)
• Average days on market: 21 (down from 34 last month and even more so from 74 days one year ago)

As we have said month after month, prices in Centreville are moving up and have been for the past 17 months. Over the past several months the market is no longer dominated by only First Time Buyers and Investors. We now have existing homeowners trading up to buy a bigger house.

With prices in Centreville rising and inventory also rising, we should see some stability in pricing soon as the supply rises to met the demand.. This is good for all parties!

Market data, commentary and statistics provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President.

Search for homes in Centreville, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Bristow, VA Market Report – 4/19/10

 Bristow has a four month supply of homes for sale. Six months worth of housing inventory is considered a balanced market by economists.  This low level of inventory keeps pressure on prices in an upward direction..

Below you’ll find a report of the previous month’s housing market in Bristow, Virginia:

• Homes for sale: 157 (up slightly from 148 last month, way under the 192 of one year ago)
• Homes sold: 39 (very stable over the past 12 months)
• Average sold price: $308,271 (down from $338,808, but up from $295,510 one year ago)
• Average days on market: 56 (has climbed from 21 days in January 2010 and 42 days in February, but still under the 65 days of one year ago)

Bristow’s prices bottomed out around December 2008, moved up steadily during 2009 and have started to stabilize in the first three months of 2010. At under $350,000 and selling in an average of 56 days, Bristow homes continue to offer good value for buyers which is why the number of transactions have been so stable. Bristow remains an affordable and in-demand place to live. With interest rates remaining in the 5% range, rising consumer confidence, and inventory at such a low level, high buying activity is creating an upward drift in prices. 

Market data and commentary provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President and Managing Broker.

Search for homes in Bristow, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Centreville, VA Market Report 4/16/10

Centreville has housing styles to fit every lifestyle and every budget. Plus with great shopping, entertainment and dining options what’s not to like?

The following statistics reflect the real estate market in Centreville, Virginia:

• Homes for sale: 401 ( up from 336 last month, down slightly from 442 at same time last year)
• Closed sales: 89 (more than double February’s snowy 44 units)
• Average sold price: $297,079 (up from $287,280 last month,  and WAY UP from $261,306 in March 2009)
• Average days on market: 34 (down from 47 last month and even more so from 82 days one year ago)

So with these kinds of numbers, is there any doubt about what is going in with Residential Real estate in Centreville? As I have said in previous posts, those who bought over the past 15 months have been rewarded with increasing equity, both from rising house values and the reduction in their mortgage loan from making payments each month.

Prices in Centreville are rising and there is a trend toward declining inventory from which to select. As this trend continues, home prices will continue to rise as a result. In fact as this trend continues, the upward pressure on prices will be just that, Pressure!

Market data, commentary and statistics provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President.

Search for homes in Centreville, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Arlington County Market Report – 4/7/10

Depending on who you ask, Arlington is either the biggest small town, or the smallest big city you’ll visit. The many neighborhoods (or urban villages as they call them) are mixed with soaring high rise buildings and well-kept, turn-of-the century homes, high end shopping or funky little boutiques, 5-star dining and little neighborhood deli’s and pizza shops.  Arlington is home to several national historic landmarks like the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon Memorial and many more. And, it’s just a few minutes from the nation’s capital. It’s no wonder that Arlington is not just a fabulous tourist attraction but a wonderful, dynamic place to live. 

The first few months of 2010 show a slight upward trend in the housing market and the year over year figures indicate a rise from the same period last year. The total number of homes sold is up by nearly 50%, the average sales price continues to go up with a 3.5% increase, the average days on the market has decreased from 90 to 61, a 32% decline. Sellers are getting 95.5% of the asking price as opposed to 92.5% last year.

The market, while not fully “recovered,” is certainly headed back in the right direction. We should continue to see improvement as we get closer to the April 30^th deadline for the Federal Tax Credit benefits for first time and move-up buyers.

Commentary and analysis provided by Charlie Carroll, Managing Broker, Avery-Hess, Realtors

Find Your Home. Plan Your Life. www.averyhess.com

Bristow, VA Market Report – 3/16/10

A normal market balance is considered six months of inventory. With 148 houses for sale and 36-40 selling per month, Bristow has less than a balanced supply. If this continues we can expect prices to continue rising in the near term.

Below you’ll find a report of the previous month’s housing market in Bristow, Virginia:

• Homes for sale: 148 (largely unchanged from last month, way under the 206 of one year ago)
• Closed sales: 36 (largely unchanged over the past two months, up 20% from a year ago)
• Average sold price: $338,808 (up from $299,055 one year ago, and $16,000 from just last month)
• Average days on market: 42 (has climbed from 21 days in January 2010 due to snow storms, but still way under the 94 days of one year ago)

Bristow’s prices bottomed out around December 2008 and have moved up steadily since that time. At under $350,00 and selling in an average of 42 days, Bristow homes remain underpriced in this marketplace. Bristow remains an affordable and in-demand place to live. With interest rates remaining around 5%, consumer confidence rising, and inventory at such a low level, high buying activity is creating an upward drift in prices.

Keeping in mind the that normal market balance is six months worth of housing inventory, Bristow has a less than balanced supply with only 148 houses for sale while selling 36-40 units per month. If this continues we can expect prices to continue rising in the near term.

Since homes in Bristow in the past year are typically less ten years old, it’s a good place to buy a home and not have to worry about a lot of repairs, as long as the previous owner did their regular maintenance. If you’re unsure about a home, think about getting a home inspection to fully understand the systems of the house you’re buying. Also ask for a warranty so you can be protected from costly, unexpected repairs.

Market data and commentary provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President and Managing Broker.

Search for homes in Bristow, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com

Centreville, VA Market Report – 3/10/10

Centreville is located in Fairfax County, one of the largest counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From Centreville, it’s only a one hour drive to the mountains and three hours to the beach. With reasonably priced houses and a great lifestyle, what’s not to like?

The following statistics reflect the real estate market in Centreville, Virginia:

• Homes for sale: 312 ( up from 288 last month, down from 402 at same time last year)
• Closed sales: 58 (down from 90 in December)
• Average sold price: $293,369 (down from $304,655 in December, but up from $272,000 in January 2009)
• Average days on market: 41 (up from 36 in December)

Comparing each month to the previous month’s results has been like driving on a country road: small ups and downs, but the trend is unmistakable, prices are going up again. All the great fears and media reports about how the shadow inventory of foreclosures was going to cause a depression have so far been a bunch of hype. The real winners have been the buyers who have braved the media reports and jumped in and bought a house. With or without a tax credit, these folks are already looking very smart for taking action.

Prices in Centreville are rising and there is a trend toward declining inventory from which to select. As this trend continues, home prices should continue to rise as a result.

Market data, commentary and statistics provided by David Hess, Executive Vice President and Managing Broker.

Search for homes in Centreville, and all of the DC Metro: www.averyhess.com