Saturday, September 19, 2009
by The Hat Team
Contract activity for pending home sales has risen for six straight months, a pattern not seen in the history of the index since it began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, increased 3.2 percent to 97.6 from a reading of 94.6 in June, and is 12.0 percent higher than July 2008 when it was 87.1. The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it was 100.7.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market momentum has clearly turned for the better. "The recovery is broad-based across many parts of the country. Housing affordability has been at record highs this year with the added stimulus of a first-time buyer tax credit," he said. "Other buyers are taking advantage of low home values before prices turn higher. Nationally, the typical mortgage payment now takes less than 25 percent of a middle-income family's monthly income to buy a median priced home, with payment percentages so far in 2009 being the lowest on record dating back to 1970. As long as home buyers stay within their budget, mortgage payments will be very manageable," Yun said.
Let's take a look at the August sales statistics to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market looks:
Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for August show pending sales increased by 41% in 2009 compared to August 2008. The average sales price decreased by 16% to $136,850 while sold listings were up 14% from 2008. Market times showed a decrease of 2 days or 2% from 2008.
|
Midtown
Montgomery
|
Pending
Sales
|
Sold
Listings
|
Average
Market Times
|
Average
Sales Price
|
|
Aug 2009
|
64
|
42
|
108
|
$136,850
|
|
Aug 2008
|
38
|
36
|
110
|
$162,606
|
Remember, the clock is ticking on the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Give us a call to make your dream home a reality!
For the latest Montgomery AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.
Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.
