Posted: September 26, 2016 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Loans |
Home appraisals are taking longer to complete and costing more, and that is vexing home buyers, mortgage borrowers, real estate agents and loan officers along the northern Front Range.
“As the Denver real estate market has roared back, we’ve been met with a shortage of appraisers to keep up with the record number of homes that are going under contract and being sold each month,” said Anthony Real, chairman of the market trends committee at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
Rael’s research shows that the cost to appraise a standard home in metro Denver, which ran around $350 a few years back, is now costing closer to $600 and looks headed on its way to $800. Some of that increase reflects the rush fees that already overloaded appraisers are charging to meet closing deadlines.
Closing deadlines are getting pushed back because of the appraiser shortages and complicating life for buyers and sellers alike, and in some cases causing tempers to flare, Rael said.
“It is worse than you know,” said Lou Barnes, a veteran loan officer with Premier Lending Group in Boulder. “There are simply fewer appraisers. We are running into a time-versus-price auction.”
The tightness became noticeable when the metro Denver housing market started heating up again in 2013. But the breaking point came this summer when the Brexit vote caused interest rates to plunge, setting off a surge in mortgage refinancings in the middle of the peak home selling season.
Appraisers, booked solid, charged premiums to get the work done and the level of desperation grew.
Warren Boizot III and Ned Garber both work seven days a week, 12 hours a day with their Denver firm BLG Appraisal Group, taking only two weeks off a year for vacation to recharge and a day now and then to attend courses to stay on top of their craft.
They have followed that crazy schedule, winter and summer, since 2013, motivated by memories of the housing crash where work was hard to come by.
“We are working as hard as we can,” said Garber, who is quick to add he isn’t complaining.
The appraisers said they are booked three weeks out. If someone wants to get in faster, they and other appraisers charge a fee, which irks some in the real estate industry. But if they promise a delivery date, it is as good as gold.
“It is a grind. Some day I will wish I had a Sunday off,” Boizot said.
Boizot said for every appraisal he accepts, there are about 15 to 20 that he turns away, either because the timing doesn’t work or the customer doesn’t want to pay a rush fee.
He uses the analogy of someone needing to see a dentist on short notice for a hurting tooth. Dentists book patients months ahead, but can keep the office open late on short notice at an added cost.
As with so many things wrong about today’s real estate market, the problems go back to the housing boom and bust. When the housing market came to a screeching halt, a lot of appraisers had to find other work to survive.
Regulators cracked down, trying to create distance between those requesting appraisals and those doing them and they boosted training requirements and the amount of time it took to do an appraisal.
Licensed appraisers must have an associate degree or 30 credits of college coursework and take 150 hours of appraisal-related courses. Certified appraisers, a step up, need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Back in 2007, Colorado had 3,431 licensed and certified appraisers, but this year that count is running close to 2,500, said Eric Turner, education, communication and policy manager with the Colorado Division of Real Estate.
Not only are there fewer appraisers, but as a group they are getting older, with an average age nationally of 53. And hardly any new ones are coming into the fold in Colorado, even though work is plentiful.
Last year, the state issued just 52 new licenses or approved an upgrade of a licensed appraiser to certified. This year, the number of new entrants or upgrades is running around 37.
“Out of that 52, more were upgrades than new licensees,” Turner said. Contrast that with the loss of about 100 appraisers a year on average in Colorado since 2007.
So why aren’t more college-educated and underemployed millennials rushing into the field? To obtain a license, an appraiser must spend 2,000 hours in an apprenticeship over the course of a year or more with an experienced appraiser. A certified appraiser must spend 2,500 hours across two or more years.
The only way to become an appraiser is by doing appraisals, and there’s the rub.
Garber and Boizot said they are so busy, they don’t have time to train anyone. Even if they did, they don’t know of a noncompete agreement strong enough to keep an apprentice in this market from walking out the door with a year’s worth of training on their dime.
“No one wants to take an apprentice under their wings,” Garber said.
Not only are there far fewer people doing appraisals, each appraisal takes much longer to complete — about six to eight hours on average — and the penalties that come with getting it wrong are much higher.
“The way the system has changed, it is becoming more cumbersome and less profitable,” said Thomas Raff, a certified appraiser in Westminster. “The report is more comprehensive now than it has ever been. It takes much more time.”
Trying to pin down values in a rapidly moving market like Denver’s is a more complicated task than working in a flat and stable one, which in turn exposes appraisers to more risks if they get it wrong.
“The analysis of comparables is a black art and very valuable,” Barnes notes.
Buyers, after getting repeatedly outbid, can become so desperate to win that they make inflated offers above already elevated list prices, leaving appraisers to absorb their wrath when the valuation comes up short.
“My job is not to hit that contract price,” Garber said. “We are not obligated to hit that number.”
Coming in low, if anything, actually is more time-consuming, in that it requires dealing with more complaints. But appraisal objectivity is an important line of defense in protecting the financial system, he said.
Boizot said one change that could go a long way toward making the home sales process more efficient would be basing the list price on an actual appraisal, rather than an agent’s estimate.
Appraisals are one of the last pieces to fall into place, and buyers and sellers rush toward a closing. Any kind of delay further up the chain often shortens the time appraisers have to get the job done, he said.
Housing sales are already leveling off as summer moves into fall and a slowdown could become a more permanent feature. If mortgage rates rise, that too could put a dent in demand for refinancings.
Still, the more pressing problem of not enough appraisers working the craft remains.
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/24/appraiser-shortage-vexing-the-need-it-now-front-range-real-estate-market/
Posted: July 13, 2016 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
The Denver, Colorado real estate market is currently one of the most stable in the nation, according to a recent ranking by SmartAsset. Boulder and Fort Collins were ranked #1 and #6, respectively.
Read more: http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/news/denver-market-most-stable-733/#ixzz4EJ4PzfZh
Posted: April 12, 2016 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO – April, 7 2016 – The latest data from REcolorado, the provider of REcolorado.com, a home search site for Colorado home buyers, sellers and renters, reveals that home sales prices have reached another all-time high. Demand remains strong, with home sales seeing an impressive 39 percent jump from last month.
All month-over-month comparisons indicate the housing market for the Denver Metro and surrounding area is holding strong, thanks to an influx of new listings that boosted the number of homes for sale. At month end, inventory levels were up 10 percent as compared to last month and six percent year over year. Still, weeks of inventory remained at six, meaning it would take just six weeks to deplete existing inventory if sales continued at the same pace.
The average price of a Denver-area home continued its steady upward trend, reaching a record high of $387,547. Average sales price increased four percent month over month and nine percent year over year.
“Continued low interest rates combined with an undersupplied market put Denver-area home listings at a premium,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of REcolorado. “For those who have ever considered putting their home on the market, now is about as good as it gets.”
March home sales showed a 39 percent increase as compared to February. With 4,111 homes sold, sales were down 11 percent as compared to last year at this time. March ended with 6,083 homes under contract, 15 percent higher than last month.
Source: http://blog.recolorado.com/content/spring-has-sprung-denver-area-housing-market-prices-reach-all-time-highs-inventory-levels
Posted: April 4, 2016 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Home Maintenance, Home Remodeling |
Hardwood flooring is one of the most sought-after features in new and existing homes. This eco-friendly feature can turn your home into a warm and inviting space to relax and entertain. Selecting the right flooring can be a challenge, however, depending on your design style, budget and personal preference. Before choosing a wood floor for your home, here are a few things to keep in mind, courtesy of the National Wood Flooring Association:
There are two basic types of wood flooring. Solid wood flooring can be sanded and refinished many times and can be used in all rooms, including kitchens and powder rooms. Engineered wood is manufactured with multiple layers of wood veneers, so it expands and contracts less than solid wood flooring when temperatures and humidity fluctuate. Engineered wood is a better alternative for basements and other below-ground living areas.
Hardwood floors come in different finishes. Satin gloss offers the most shine and reflects the most light, so scratches and normal wear and tear are less noticeable, while matte finishes offer the least shine.
Light woods like ash or maple help make a room appear more open and airy, while darker woods like walnut or mahogany can give a room a more stately and refined appearance.
To keep floors looking new, clean them frequently using a dust mop or vacuum. Avoid using a wet mop as water can dull the finish or damage the wood over time. To prevent scratches, place scatter rugs at all entrances and floor protector pads on the bottom of furniture legs.
When spills occur, wipe them immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth. When floors begin to look dull, use a wood flooring cleaner to renew the luster. Use only products that are compatible with your wood floor type. The wrong cleaning product can damage the finish and possibly the wood itself.
With these simple tips in mind, hardwood floors can provide comfort and enjoyment for many years.
Posted: August 11, 2015 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
The inventory of new home listings in metro Denver jumped up 12.8 percent over the same period last year in July, creating some breathing room in a market that has remained constricted for several months.
In July, there were 7,494 new listings for houses and condos on the market, according to the latest report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. The number of new listings also represents a 5 percent increase from June, when there were 7,131 new listings on the market.
The increase in the number of homes available put some downward pressure on the average price of a home in metro Denver, which spiked above $400,000 earlier this year.
The average price of a single-family house in the metro area dipped by 1.8 percent month-over-month to $412,996, while the average price for a condo decreased by 1.9 percent from June to $254,513.
“The Denver-area’s overall real estate market was showing signs of ‘easing up’ or ‘cooling off’ as we entered the prime home-buying season, and some sellers were beginning to sense a slight shift in the market,” said Anthony Rael, chairman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee.
“This is all welcome news for homebuyers who have survived the recent months of our market frenzy. Even with the most recent decline in average and median sales prices, sellers have done remarkably well by realizing double-digit price appreciation in our year-over-year analysis,” Rael said.
But year-over-year, home prices are still up.
The average sold price for a house is up 9.8 percent from last year, when houses sold for $376,101 on average, and condo prices are up 13.9 percent from last year’s average of $223,454.
“The number of available homes for sale has been steadily increasing throughout the year, a positive sign for buyers as we head into the second half of the summer selling season,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of REcolorado. “We’ve seen prices stabilize over the last several months, which suggests the market is finding more of a balance.”
Homes are spending even less time on the market than they have been, with the average number of days on market for a home in the metro area dropping to 20, down from 23 in June and from 28 in July 2014.
Colorado yet again led the country for home-price appreciation, according to the latest report from Irvine, California-based CoreLogic, which said earlier this week that home prices appreciated 9.8 percent year-over-year in June, faster than any other state.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/real_deals/2015/08/colorados-home-price-pressure-eases-with-influx-of.html
Posted: August 6, 2015 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate |
“As home values continue to rise, buyers are faced with more challenges in a tighter market, especially in hot markets like Denver…” -Zillow press release, July 30, 2015
Are you thinking about buying a home in Denver, Colorado? If so, you might want to think about purchasing sooner rather than later. Home prices continue to climb higher in the Mile-High City, and they don’t show signs of reversing course anytime soon.
Read more: http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/news/how-high-can-denver-climb-657/#ixzz3i3fjCPzP
Posted: March 6, 2015 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
The average price of a home in metro Denver increased to $390,067 in February, up from $326,958 in February 2014.
The increase of 19 percent year-over-year includes both single-family houses and condominiums, according to the latest data from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
Average prices were likely impacted by continued strong demand in the housing market, including the luxury market of homes priced at $1 million and above, 84 of which sold in January and February in the metro area, compared with 56 for the same period last year, a 50 percent increase.
Median home prices also increased, to $329,000 from $280,000, a 17 percent jump.
Demand in all price segments remains high, with millennials in particular entering the market, DMAR said. Interest rates hovering near March 2013 lows are also keeping buyers in the market.
“As year-over-year housing prices continue to increase, home affordability is going to become a greater issue as the entry point for first-time buyers grows higher and higher,” said Anthony Rael, chairman of DMAR’s Market Trends Committee. “The continuation of a strong job market in Colorado will hopefully offset the drag from an expected increase in mortgage rates this summer.”
Active listings of single-family homes and condos combined on the market dropped again in February, to 4,079 from 6,103, a 33 percent drop. Separately, the number of single-family homes on the market fell by 31 percent to 3,338 in February and the number of condos on the market fell by 41 percent to 741.
But the number of new listings increased for single-family homes and condos in February, by 2.7 percent from 3,004 in 2014 to 3,087 this year.
These new listings demonstrate increased willingness from sellers to put their homes on the market, which is a good sign for easing the inventory shortage, but it’s still not enough to bring prices back down.
“We’re seeing an impressive number of new home listings come on the market this year as sellers begin responding to consumer demand,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of REcolorado, the multiple-listing service formerly called Metrolist.
“Even with the increase in new listings, our historically-low inventory levels remain the biggest challenge facing the Denver-area housing market, as they are undoubtedly contributing to rising average home prices and reducing the amount of time homes are on the market,” Slunaker said.
Earlier this week, a report from Irvine, California-based CoreLogic showed that Colorado led the nation in home-price appreciation in January, with Denver’s appreciation reaching even higher than the state as a whole.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/real_deals/2015/03/average-home-price-in-metrodenver-tops-390k.html?ana=e_du_pap&s=article_du&ed=2015-03-05&u=mAiE4rzwVIz874Rl+qrp5btCsVk&t=1425659702&page=all
Posted: January 28, 2015 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market |
DENVER – January 20, 2015 –REcolorado, Colorado’s largest MLS and the provider of REcolorado.com, today released its 2014 Annual Report on the Denver Area Housing Market. The report includes 2014 data from REcolorado’s 16,000 members who operate throughout the Denver Metro and surrounding area.
In 2014, job growth and low mortgage rates encouraged consumers to enter the housing market, fueling strong sales. Sales volume increased from previous years’ levels with many Denver area communities seeing double-digit gains. A very active condo-townhouse market was a contributing factor, with strong gains in most measurements. Tight inventory levels and strong demand drove average and median sales price increases throughout the region.
“With average sales prices reaching all-time highs and inventory levels dropping to levels lower than we’ve seen in a decade, 2014 was a record-breaking year for the Denver area housing market,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of REcolorado. “The 2015 housing market will undoubtedly benefit from a continuation of historically-low mortgage rates and strong growth in the Denver Metro area. With a little more inventory, we could see a terrific home buying season.”
Sales
Interest rates stayed lower than expected, helping to fuel buyer activity. In general, sales moved away from the lower-priced and distressed properties, toward upper-end and traditional sales.
“We enjoyed strong sales in 2014 as consumers became more confident in the job market, the housing market, and the economy in general,” said Jan Reinhardt, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Alliance. “I anticipate we will see continued strong sales in 2015, as consumers feel increasingly confident in their ability to purchase a new home.”
For the fourth consecutive year, Denver area single family home sales were up. In 2014, a total of 56,407 homes sold, one percent more than 2013 and a 93 percent increase from just four years ago. The highest sales volume occurred in June, with 5,854 sold listings.
Many Denver Metro areas saw impressive gains in the number of sold listings:
- Bennett (E. Arapahoe & Adams): +19%
- Castle Pines +11%
- Englewood +21%
- Franktown +12%
- Henderson +254%
- Idaho Springs +32%
- Larkspur + 13%
- Lochbuie: +14%
- Pine +36%
- Wheat Ridge +12%
Following the national trend, Denver area foreclosure and short sale activity continued to decrease from peak levels seen in 2011. Just three years ago, lender-mediated properties (properties in foreclosure, short sales, HUD or bank owned) accounted for approximately one-third of all sales. In 2014, 4.8 percent of sales were lender mediated, a 57.3 percent decrease compared to 2013.
Prices
Prices experienced another year of gains in 2014. Overall median sales price rose 8.2 percent to $274,900 for the year. Average sales price also rose in 2014, reaching an all-time high of $324,282.
“There was a nice increase in home values in 2014, a welcome sign for those who have been waiting to achieve positive equity,” said Cheri Long, REALTOR®, MB-Priority Properties, Inc. “With interest rates remaining low and inventory levels increasing, I expect an early start to an active 2015 selling season.”
The areas with the greatest year-over-year increase in median sold price include:
- Arvada +10%
- Aurora +13%
- Bailey +12%
- Brighton +11%
- Broomfield +15%
- Centennial +12%
- Cherry Hills Village +26%
- Commerce City+17%
- Conifer +10%
- Lafayette +34%
- Lochbuie +20%
- Lone Tree +20%
- Morrison +18%
- Northglen +12:
- Wheat Ridge +15%
The price range with the most sold listings was $200,000 to $300,000. The price range with the strongest one-year change in sold listings was $300,001 to $500,000, which had a 15.9 percent increase in sales.
Homes in the $500,000 to $1 million and higher price range saw prices and sales volume rise for the third consecutive year.
“Increases in sales volume, prices, and demand, contributed to a very positive luxury home market in 2014,” said Peter Niederman, CEO of Kentwood Real Estate. “With Denver and its unique neighborhoods becoming some of the nation’s most sought-after areas to live, all signs are pointing to a very strong 2015. “
Inventory
Following an active summer selling season, inventory levels dropped throughout the fourth quarter of 2014. Weeks of inventory began the year at an 11 week supply, hovered around eight weeks throughout the summer selling season, and ended the year at a record low six-week supply. Homes spent an average of 35 days on the market, 13 days less than the 2013 average, with homes in the $150,000 to $300,000 price range selling the quickest.
The year ended with 5,352 active listings on the market, less than half the number seen at 2011 year end, and lower than we’ve seen in over a decade.
In 2014, a total of 65,714 new listings came on the market, slightly lower than what we’ve seen in the Denver area in previous years.
“Although inventory levels were low in 2014, we saw a steady stream of new listings coming on the market as higher prices encouraged more homeowners to sell,” said Jo Pellegrino-Ellis, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Professionals. “With construction of new homes picking up, interest rates remaining low, and more home owners in positive equity situations, I’m optimistic we will see more inventory in 2015, bringing more opportunities for buyers.”
Single Family Detached
In 2014 there was less inventory in the Denver area single family attached market. A total of 48,803 new listings came on the market in 2014, an 8.4 percent decrease compared to 2013. As a result, the number of sold listings was 41,363, down 6.6 percent compared to last year.
Single family detached sold prices saw welcome gains. Compared to last year, median sales price was up 10.9 percent to $350,000, and average sales price was up 8.3 percent to $360,335.
Condo-Townhome/Single Family Attached
The condo market saw gains in most areas in 2014. The number of sold listings totaled 15,044, up 31.5 percent compared to last year. The number of new condos-townhomes that came on the market was 16,910, up 24.5 percent compared to 2013. Prices were up as well. The average sold price was $225,157, up 13.7 percent and the median sales price was up 13.1 percent to $181,000.percent to $350,000, and average sales price was up 8.3 percent to $360,335.
According to Justin Knoll, president of Madison and Company Properties, “The condo market had a banner year in 2014. After several years in a down cycle, we saw a great deal of activity from first-time home buyers, investors, and those looking to downsize or find a second home in the city. Because condos offer opportunities for a variety of groups and price ranges, I expect 2015 to be another strong year.”
About REcolorado
REcolorado is the largest multiple listing service (MLS) in Colorado, supporting the largest network of REALTORS® with the most comprehensive database of real property listings throughout the state. Consumers know REcolorado.com as Colorado’s most comprehensive and up-to-date home search tool. Powered by 16,000 real estate professionals, REcolroado.com is updated every 15 minutes to deliver the most accurate listings of homes for sale in Colorado. Additionally, REcolorado.com offers consumers mortgage resources, information about Colorado neighborhoods and cities, sold listings, open houses, and a comprehensive database of real estate professionals.
For more information, visit www.REcolorado.com
Posted: November 7, 2014 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
The metro Denver residential real estate market continued its slowdown in October, with fewer active and new listings than a year ago, but average sales price increased and time-on-market dropped.
The latest Metrolist data shows that the number of active listings in October in the metro area was 8,041 compared to 10,376 last year, a decrease of 23 percent. New listings dipped 2 percent to 4,843 from 4,964, demonstrating continued low inventory in the market.
Year-over-year in October, the average sales prices for a home in the metro area increased by 7 percent to $303,328, and days on market fell to 34 from 45, a 24 percent decrease.
“With inventory levels remaining tight in October, the market stayed nearly as competitive as it was during the summer selling season,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of Metrolist. “Home prices climbed a bit, and days on market remained low, indicating continued demand.”
Even with recent declines in the market, local experts are optimistic about the home buying market, which has been strong throughout 2014.
“Overall, the news is not all bad as we point out strengths in our market with a year-to-date average sold price of $324,362 and a closed dollar volume of $14.8 billion,” said Anthony Rael, chairman of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Trends Committee.
“Seasonality will likely impact transactions as we enter the holidays, but demand remains strong for millennials looking to use the offseason to trade their high rent prices to purchase in the Denver area, as well as buyers who will continue to look for the home of their dreams,” he added.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/real_deals/2014/11/denver-areahome-buying-continues-slowdown.html
Posted: September 22, 2014 | Author: Fred Smith | Filed under: Colorado Real Estate, Denver Housing Market, Home Buying, Home Selling |
Home sales in metro Denver decreased by 7 percent from July to August, accompanied by a dip in prices, but the cooling of the market is the result of an annual end-of-summer slowdown in home-buying.
“As kids head back to school, we tend to see a slowing of the housing market; this year is no exception,” said Kirby Slunaker, president and CEO of Metrolist, which released its monthly real estate data this week. “This summer selling season was strong, and many areas remain very active, with buyers quickly making offers on properties that are priced right.”
Metrolist’s report also shows a 2 percent decrease in average sold price in August, from $335,427 to $329,396.
Year-over-year comparisons showed similar trends in number of sold listings in the metro area, with a 7 percent decrease from 5,732 in August 2013 to 5,346 in August 2014.
But prices increased year-over-year in August, with the average sales price increasing 6 percent from $309,905 in August 2013.
Supply continues to be an issue in the market, with 6,071 new listings entering the market in August. This represents a 13 percent decrease in new listings from July and an 8 percent decrease from August 2013.
Active listings dropped by 14 percent from 11,021 in August 2013 to 9,623 this year.
“The market absorption rate continued to indicate a high level of demand for properties,” Metrolist said in its report. “There was a supply of just eight weeks of inventory at August month-end.”
Continued demand for homes is reason for confidence among the real estate community, in spite of August’s decreases.
“Despite the August trends showing a slowdown in the market, many brokers, including myself, remain confident the market will bounce back in September, and the selling season will remain strong heading into fall and throughout the holidays,” said Anthony Rael, chairman of the market trends committee for the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/real_deals/2014/09/residential-real-estate-market-softened-in-denver.html
Fred Smith 