The Discretionary Nature of the OBX Market

NEEDS vs WANTS

  • Needs – UpDATES; maintenanceBalance Beam of Needs vs Wants
    items that increase attractiveness,
    peace of mind, and cause home to sell
    faster
  • Wants – UpGRADES that may
    increase VALUE AND make a home
    sell faster; appeal

 

Stop Sign

Remember, not all Upgrades make sense! Let’s talk before you spend –
sometimes money is better spent adjusting price vs. investing more in the
home.

March 2018 Outer Banks Market Update

Figures show that residential home sales for the Outer Banks are down 17% for February.  There were only 83 home sales, making that the weakest month of sales since November 2011.  So today I want to address the proverbial “elephant in the room” and what I consider the primary reason for the drop in sales.

First factor I addressed last month.  We were expecting this year to be flat, no substantial growth.  This is because markets are cyclical and historically speaking we have a flat year every 3 to 4 years.  This year just happens to be the time for it.

The second contributing factor continues to be the inventory level.  While we are moving in the right direction regarding inventory, we still have more homes for sale than buyers.

The interesting conundrum we experience, here on the Outer Banks, is the discretionary nature of buying and selling.  Most sellers I talk to say they don’t HAVE to sell.  It makes sense, as they aren’t physically moving OUT of the home.  Similarly, buyers are not physically moving INTO the home so, they too, don’t HAVE to buy and they are willing to wait for the right house.  There is no push for buyers to make a decision on a home that is not “turn key”.

So, what exactly does “turn-key” mean to a buyer?

  • Zero to minimal maintenance work required. This means the main systems of the home are in good repair and working order – ie.  the roof, windows, doors, siding, decking, paint, HVAC etc.
  • Upgraded, clean interior with the latest finishings (flooring, appliances, furniture etc.)
  • Well equipped for rental/summer season. This means well furnished, stocked and equipped for use by guests and owner with the best possible amenities.

Why do buyers want a home that is turn key?

  • They don’t want to manage a maintenance or renovation project from afar
  • Many don’t have the willingness to do any remodeling and upgrading
  • There are a lot of other choices available (remember the inventory) that are turn key
  • They want to be more than compensated for the “what if” scenarios that come up if handling maintenance issues
  • Financing is more challenging making it difficult to get the funding for repairs and/or upgrades
  • Cash after a large down payment to purchase is not as readily available
  • Probably the biggest reason is buyers are starting an exciting and new adventure with a beach house – they don’t want to feel they are starting out, already behind (ie. Having to do work to something they just paid a lot of money for)!

Why aren’t more Outer Banks homes turn key?  There are a lot of homes on the Outer Banks that have deferred maintenance and/or are outdated and this can be for a wide range of reasons.

  • Since this isn’t the primary home, owners aren’t seeing it every day and often aren’t aware of what needs to be done
  • No one else is telling them about things that need to be addressed
  • Most homes are owned for several decades and owners get to an age where it’s more difficult to do the work themselves
  • Finding and managing good contractors from a distance is a challenge, especially as owners age
  • Sellers have disengaged from the property – this happens for many, many reasons.

How can we best leverage this information? The key is understanding what makes a home more ATTRACTIVE versus more VALUABLE to a buyer.  This is where we see the connection between wants versus needs.

Basically, if the NEEDS of the house are updated and in good working order (aka, not original to an older home) the home is more ATTRACTIVE and will sell faster.

  • Needs are the things the house is already supposed to have – think the mechanical systems, building envelope, main components of what makes it a house
  • Buyers are already paying for these things and will not likely pay more for something the home is supposed to have in good working order. This is related to the maintenance work I mentioned above.
  • When you have these items in good shape this makes the home more ATTRACTIVE to a buyer, not necessarily more valuable.

The WANTS of the buyer in a house are the flashy upgrades a buyer is willing to pay more for.  Doing upgrades that make sense can potentially make the home more VALUABLE and help it sell faster.

  • Wants are the latest, greatest finishings and materials – think, granite counters in kitchen and bath, tile showers, hardwood or laminate flooring, composite/synthetic decking, fashionable décor
  • Upgrading doesn’t always make sense! It’s important to check with a professional agent for where best to spend money before selling.  Depending on the home, sometimes the money is better spent in adjusting the price over investing more into the home.

Bottom line…as I look through the list of homes sold this year, there is a common theme.  The majority of the homes that sold quickly and for the best pricing share some of the same words in the description:

  • New in 2017/2018
  • Updated recently
  • Completely remodeled
  • Upgrades galore!

Although this is the common theme, that doesn’t mean your home won’t sell without dumping a ton of money into it.  As I said before, it does not make sense to upgrade and update in every situation.  What I think it does identify is the need for proper pricing based on the condition of your home in relationship to the expectations of the buyers looking in today’s market.  These buying trends are not likely to go away, so if you’ve been thinking about selling, call a professional for advice on what, if anything, you can do before listing.  And keep in mind condition is a major factor in today’s market.  I hope this information has been helpful.  If I can answer any questions for you please reach out.

2017 Outer Banks Market Report

The buzz around town is that 2017 was a banner year for sales. So, is it true? The
answer is not a simple yes or no. There are many facets that impact a real estate
market.
The truth is, it depends on which side of the fence you’re on as to how you’ll measure the
market activity. Let’s look at the 5 ingredients of a market, in what I would consider
the order of importance:
1. Price – This of course, is the top concern for buyers and sellers. The
definition of a good market to a seller will usually come down to what
price they can get for their home.
2. Inventory – This is truly the one factor that can make or break a market.
Inventory controls price. We all know the principle of supply and
demand and how that impacts the value of a home.
3. Activity – The number of properties sold annually is a major factor and is
dependent on the previous two factors. If no one is buying, it keeps
inventory high and prices very low. We have two main markets on the
OBX (Duck and Corolla) where the sales that take place are 100%
discretionary. With no primary market forcing sales to take place, this is
keeping the inventory at high levels.
4. Interest Rate – Rising or falling interest rates impact the buyer’s
purchasing power. We are still experiencing very low rates, for now. All
signs point to some increase this year.
5. Buying Trends – This factor is the one least considered by sellers,
mistakenly. Especially in a resort market. Most sellers assume the
buyers are going through the same thought process they did when
buying. That simply isn’t true. Today, buyers place the most weight in
their decision on condition. After 20 years in the business, this is
definitely a shift in process.

So how did the Outer Banks fare in 2017 relative to each of these 5 categories?
1. Price in most locations has not changed. There is still no area with any
measurable appreciation and some areas (Duck and Corolla) are still
subject to some minor depreciation due to continued high inventory
levels.
2. Inventory is on the decline. In 2017 we had the lowest monthly inventory
levels since 2010. That is excellent news and a great sign of continued
recovery for our market.
3. Activity was up over 2016. Like any market we experience cycles. Any
time there is a double digit increase in sales, the next 3 to 4 years become
a little stagnant. That’s just how markets cycle. When you hear that the
OBX market was on fire last year, this is likely the aspect one was
referring to. This increase in activity really helped lower the Days on Market.                                 However, pricing for the market is the greatest contributor to that.

Year                    2012      2013      2014       2015       2016      2017
Total # Sold      2042      2093     2139      2292      2289      2560
Increase from
Previous Year    21%         2%        2%           7%         0%        11%

4. Interest Rates remained steady between 4% and 4.25%. Your guess is as
good as mine as far as what will happen with that this year. Stock market
gains are making it easier to diversify and invest in real estate.
5. More homes were passed up in 2017 because of outdated condition than
any other reason. If you want to sell quickly, you’ll either need to price
your home for it’s condition or invest in a few upgrades.

If you’d like more information on buying or selling this spring, contact me for more
information.

December 2017 OBX Market Update

Sales and Under Contract Properties


Our positive sales continue with single family residential sales units remaining up 14% YTD 2017 over 2016 and the corresponding dollar volume is up 17%.   

Residential land sales, YTD 2017 over 2016, are up 11% in units and up 3% in dollar volume.  The median sales price is up 1% year over year.

Inventory


Currently the market sits at about 10 months worth of residential inventory. This is a very encouraging sign and is a combination of strong sales and lower inventory levels.  It is EXTREMELY important to remember that this varies GREATLY by area and town.  We still have some areas that are not experiencing these results.  It is important to understand what the number is for your area.

New inventory that came on the market in November was up 2% from November 2016.  

Average days on market for SOLD single family residential YTD 2017 is 152, down from 208 days in 2016!  Average days on market for all current active single family residential listings remains at 215 days. 

Distressed residential properties comprise 6% of sales YTD which is flat to 2016.  Distressed listings currently comprise only 1.5% of active inventory.

Pricing

Single family residential median sale price YTD 2017 is $323,000, which is up 3% over the year prior.

This data here represents the percentage of total homes sold in each respective year relative to the sales price range. When we see an increase in median price, it can sometimes be just more sales occurring in one price range versus an actual increase in price. I think for 2017, both are actually true. We did see actual appreciation in two markets. Kill Devil Hills Between the Highways as well as Kill Devil Hills Westside.

 Price Category                     YTD 2016      YTD 2017
Below $199,999                               14%                  13%
$200,000 – $499,999                    68%                 66%
$500,000 – $749,999                     11%                  14%
$750,000 – $999,999                      4%                   4%

$1,000,000 and up                           4%                   4%

Area Median Price % Change YTD       

2017 to 2016

Units Sold %

Change YTD           

2017 to 2016

Corolla $476,250 +12% +5%
Duck $465,500 +6% +30%
Southern Shores $422,500 +6% +23%
Kitty Hawk $307,500 –% +3%
Colington $252,500 +8% +9%
Kill Devil Hills $275,750 +4% +5%
Nags Head $380,000 -1% +20%
Hatteras Island $300,000 +12% +12%
Roanoke Island $281,880 +7% -10%

 

September 2017 OBX Market Update

We had a mild August for weather, not for real estate sales.  With interest rates still very low and activity increasing, we fully expect a great fall market.

Here are the main highlights:

  • Condition – Buyers are becoming more and more selective about the condition of the homes they buy. Their expectation is to have the updates and upgrades already done.  Updates = recent roof, windows, doors, siding, paint, HVAC.  Upgrades include granite counters, stainless appliances, tile or hardwood floors, cabinets in kitchen and bath.  It’s clear, do the updates/upgrades or drop the price.
  • Homes listed and sold since January 2017 are going in only 45 days. Many with multiple offers.  Buyers have been watching the market for years.  They know when a house comes on the market at the right price and they are ready to act.
  • Residential inventory is down by 8%. This is a nice continuation of what is needed to stabilize the market in Duck and Corolla.  Because those areas are primarily second homes, the inventory has been stuck very high.  That has been putting more pressure on lowering prices.  We are slowly getting there, yet still a year or two away.
  • Distress sales made up 2% of all sales for our local market. That makes these sales a complete non-issue as that is a normal amount for any market.
  • So far this year 18 more homes have sold in Corolla than last year (an increase of 10%). In Duck there were 34 more homes sold this year, up 38%.  Overall the entire market is up by 11% (1310 homes sold 2017 vs 1176 in 2016)

If you have any questions about buying or selling on the Outer Banks, please contact me.

July 2017 OBX Market Update

Here are the highlights:

  • Total Sales: Total June sales – 279 Units – the highest monthly number of units sold since October 2005. Total Volume Sold – $427,942,964.
  • Under-contract: Units listed as under contract declined by 11% due to the record number of closings in June and the normal seasonal decline; however, with 410 units still listed under contract, the July sales figures should be noteworthy.
  • New Construction: As of May 2017, the number of new construction building permits were down 7% from 2016 (112 units vs 121 units). Building permit value was down by 3%. Quite a change from last month.
  • Days on the Market: For all residential properties listed in the MLS, the average Days on the Market was up slightly (3%) but down by 24% when compared with June 2016.
  • How Sold: In our market, 66% of all loans are conventional loans, 20% are cash, 6% are VA, 4% are FHA, 3% are Jumbo. USDAA and Other account for the remaining loans.
  • Distressed Sales: Distressed sales declined by 2% in June and accounted for just 5% of the total.
  • Inventories: Residential inventory was down by 13% in June. Lots / Land inventory was down by 16% in June.

*This information is reprinted with permission from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS

Let’s break it down by area and price range: (Data through July 15)

Corolla

$200,000 – $400,000                               $401,000 – $600,000

46 for sale                                                      81 for sale

49 sold YTD                                                   51 sold YTD

7.5 buyers each month                                8 buyers each month

6 months of inventory                                 10 months of inventory

8 U/C currently                                             16 U/C currently

128 Days on Market                                     198 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                               $801,000 – $1,000,000

53 for sale                                                      27 for sale

20 sold YTD                                                   7 sold YTD

3 buyers each month                                   1 buyer each month

18 months of inventory                               27 months of inventory

5 U/C currently                                             3 U/C currently

92 Days on Market                                       137 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

66 for sale

16 sold YTD

2 buyers each month

33 months of inventory

4 U/C Currently

102 Days on Market

 

Duck

$200,000 – $400,000                               $401,000 – $600,000

9 for sale                                                        33 for sale

9 sold YTD                                                     26 sold YTD

1.3 buyers per month                                   4 buyers per month

7 months of inventory                                  8.25 months of inventory

2 U/C currently                                             6 U/C Currently

133 Days on Market                                     120 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                               $801,000 – $1,000,000

23 for sale                                                      20 for sale

9 sold YTD                                                     9 sold

1.3 buyer each month                                  1.3 buyers each month

17 months of inventory                               15 months of inventory

4 U/C Currently                                            2 U/C currently

81 Days on Market                                       149 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

27 for sale

7 sold YTD

1 buyers per month

27 months of inventory

2 U/C currently

186 Days on Market

 

Southern Shores

$200,000 – $400,000                              $401,000 – $600,000

15 for sale                                                      29 for sale

21 sold YTD                                                   18 sold YTD

3 buyers each month                                   2.7 buyers each month

5 months of inventory                                 11 months of inventory

4 U/C currently                                             4 U/C currently

72 Days on Market                                       94 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                $801,000 – $1,000,000

12 Active                                                        8 Active

4 sold YTD                                                     2 sold YTD

.6 buyers each month                                 .3 buyers each month

20 months of inventory                              26 months of inventory

1 U/C currently                                             1 U/C currently

259 Days on Market                                     74 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

12 Active

1 sold YTD

2 U/C currently

361 Days on Market

 

 

June 2017 Market Update

The trend of big activity is continuing for our market.  Recent news of the Fed raising the Prime Rate to 4.25% could cause our summer market to be busier than normal as people make the decision to buy before the long term rates are affected, possibly going up as high as 6%, according to history.

 

Here are the highlights:

  • Total Sales: Total sales (245 Units) for May are at their highest level since January 2005. Additionally, the total volume sold is at its highest level since 2005 (>$80 million).
  • Under-contract – Units listed as under contract declined by 3% due to the record number of unit sales in May and the normal seasonal decline; however, with 461 units currently listed as being under contract, June sales should also be impressive.
  • New Construction: As of April 2017, the number of new construction building permits were down 32% compared to last year and total building permit value was down 47%.
  • Days on the Market: For all residential properties listed in the MLS, the average Days on the Market has dropped dramatically to 135 days; however, when looking at just properties listed in the MLS since January (1488 units) the average Days on the Market calculation drops to 57.
  • How Sold: In our market, 58% of all sales use conventional loans, 22% are cash, 8% are VA, 5% are FHA, 3% are jumbo. USDAA and Other account for the remaining loans (4%).
  • Distressed Sales: After experiencing a steady decline for years, Bank Owned property sales were up 18% in May. Short sales continue their downward decline and are down by 7%.
  • Inventories: Housing inventory was down by 8% in May.

*This information is reprinted with permission from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS

Let’s break it down by area and price range:

Corolla                                                            

$200,000 – $400,000                                   $401,000 – $600,000

51 for sale                                                         93 for sale

43 sold YTD                                                     43 sold YTD

8 buyers each month                                      8 buyers each month

6 months of inventory                                   11.6 months of inventory

9 U/C currently                                               7 U/C currently

114 Days on Market                                        144 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                   $801,000 – $1,000,000

54 for sale                                                         27 for sale

14 sold YTD                                                      6 sold YTD

2.5 buyers each month                                   1 buyers each month

21.6 months of inventory                               27 months of inventory

9 U/C currently                                               3 U/C currently

114 Days on Market                                        134 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

71 for sale

15 sold YTD

2.7 buyers each month

26 months of inventory

2 U/C Currently

161 Days on Market

 

Duck

$200,000 – $400,000                                   $401,000 – $600,000

10 for sale                                                         34 for sale

9 sold YTD                                                       23 sold YTD

1.5 buyers per month                                     4 buyers per month

6.6 months of inventory                                 8.5 months of inventory

1 U/C currently                                                 4 U/C Currently

125 Days on Market                                        94 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                   $801,000 – $1,000,000

27 for sale                                                         21 for sale

9 sold YTD                                                       8 sold

1.6 buyer each month                                     1.5 buyers each month

17 months of inventory                                  14 months of inventory

4 U/C Currently                                               1 U/C currently

81 Days on Market                                          139 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

31 for sale

6 sold YTD

1 buyers per month

31 months of inventory

2 U/C currently

186 Days on Market

 

Southern Shores

$200,000 – $400,000                                  $401,000 – $600,000

11 for sale                                                         31 for sale

14 sold YTD                                                     15 sold YTD

2.5 buyers each month                                   2.7 buyers each month

4 months of inventory                                   11 months of inventory

10 U/C currently                                             9 U/C currently

73 Days on Market                                          94 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                   $801,000 – $1,000,000

10 Active                                                            8 Active

3 sold YTD                                                         2 sold YTD

.5 buyers each month                                     .36 buyers each month

20 months of inventory                                  22 months of inventory

3 U/C currently                                                0 U/C currently

243 Days on Market                                        169 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

13 Active

1 sold YTD

0 U/C currently

547 Days on Market

May 2017 Outer Banks Market Update

The following is a summary of the Outer Banks market as a whole, reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS and reprinted with permission.

  • Total Existing-Home Sales: Existing home unit sales are up 19% compared to 2016.
  • Under-contract – With 473 units in an under-contract status, sales in May should rise dramatically.
  • New Construction: New Construction building permits are down 31% compared to last year and total building permit value is down 20%.
  • Days on the Market: For all residential properties listed in the MLS, the average Days on the Market was 162 days; however, when looking at only the residential properties listed on the MLS since January 1, 2017 (1157 units), the average days on the market was 50 days.
  • All-cash Sales: Nationally, 23% of all home sales are for cash. Locally, we are also selling at the national average.
  • Distressed Sales: Bank Owned properties and short sales made up 7% of all residential property sales in in April. So far, this year, short sales are down by 25% and bank owned sales are up 19%.
  • Inventories: Housing inventory was down by 15% in April.

What are the clear bright spots in this report?  Inventory is down, which is desperately needed.  And, those sellers willing to price the home in today’s market are rewarded with a fast sale.

Remember, most buyers will spend 12 to 18 months looking around before purchasing a second home.  So they know what a good value is.  When it hits the market, they are ready to move!  They are also ready to pay close to the asking price.

So what does this mean for your home’s value?  The areas of Corolla and Duck are still quite a mess.  Southern Shores is doing somewhat better.

The data below that indicates for each price range the following:

  • How many homes are for sale in that range
  • How many have sold this year
  • Divided by 5.5 months = how many buyers are available in that range each month
  • Divided by the number for sale = the months of remaining inventory for that price range
  • How many homes are under contract, scheduled to close
  • The median days on market for homes sold in that price range

Corolla                                                            

$200,000 – $400,000                                       $401,000 – $600,000

41 for sale                                                              81 for sale

30 sold YTD                                                          28 sold YTD

5.5 buyers each month                                        5 buyers each month

7.5 months of inventory                                      16 months of inventory

10 U/C currently                                                   19 U/C currently

234 Days on Market                                             229 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                       $801,000 – $1,000,000

60 for sale                                                             29 for sale

10 sold YTD                                                           4 sold YTD

1.8 buyers each month                                        .7 buyers each month

33 months of inventory                                       41 months of inventory

8 U/C currently                                                     3 U/C currently

90 Days on Market                                               166 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

75 for sale

9 sold YTD

1.6 buyers each month

47 months of inventory

8 U/C Currently

113 Days on Market

 

Duck

$200,000 – $400,000                                       $401,000 – $600,000

8 for sale                                                               36 for sale

8 sold YTD                                                            19 sold YTD

1.5 buyers per month                                          3.5 buyers per month

5 months of inventory                                        10 months of inventory

2 U/C currently                                                    4 U/C Currently

155 Days on Market                                             109 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                       $801,000 – $1,000,000

30 for sale                                                             21 for sale

6 sold YTD                                                            8 sold

1 buyer each month                                             1.5 buyers each month

30 months of inventory                                      14 months of inventory

3 U/C Currently                                                    1 U/C currently

87 Days on Market                                               149 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

32 for sale

3 sold YTD

.5 buyers per month

64 months of inventory

3 U/C currently

178 Days on Market

 

Southern Shores

$200,000 – $400,000                                       $401,000 – $600,000

14 for sale                                                              32 for sale

10 sold YTD                                                          11 sold YTD

1.8 buyers each month                                        2 buyers each month

7.7 months of inventory                                      16 months of inventory

7 U/C currently                                                     5 U/C currently

105 Days on Market                                             99 Days on Market

 

$601,000 – $800,000                                       $801,000 – $1,000,000

12 Active                                                                6 Active

3 sold YTD                                                            2 sold YTD

.5 buyers each month                                         .36 buyers each month

24 months of inventory                                      16 months of inventory

1 U/C currently                                                     1 U/C currently

254 Days on Market                                            115 Days on Market

 

$1,000,000 – up

12 Active

1 sold YTD

0 U/C currently

547 Days on Market

 

April 2017 Outer Banks Market Report

There are 3 main things to pay attention in the real estate market right now.

  • We saw another rate drop today, bringing us to a new low in the last 3 months.
  • Residential home sales (actual closed deals) are up 22% over this same time last year.
  • The number of homes going under contract are also up by 22%.  The market is SUPER active right now.

The homes in the best condition with the right price are even getting multiple offers.  We are also seeing a lot of homes selling in less than a month with that same strategy.  If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, contact me for a consultation.

January 2017 Outer Banks Market Report

It’s exciting to have some good news to report!  While the number of homes closed in January 2017 was identical to 2016, the number of homes going under contract is up considerably.

Closed sales for January, reflects homes that went under contract in November or December of 2016.  There were 111 sold in 2016 and 112 in 2017.   Not bad for a resort area.

However, in January this year we saw 231 properties go under contract.  The last time the number for January was this high was in 2006 at 263.   Something happened in the last 30 days to create some amazing consumer confidence.  I’m super thrilled for this year’s activity!!!

Two morals of this story:

  • If you are interested in selling your home, there’s NO REASON to wait until March or April. The market is here NOW.
  • If your home is already on the market and not selling, chances are you are priced too high. It’s difficult to accept today’s prices, no doubt.  Inventory levels are still too high to see appreciation.  It’s unclear how long it will take to recover, since we are still in the midst of the cycle.

If you’d like to find out what your home could sell for now, click here and I’ll get you a free analysis!

If you’re interested in making an investment on the Outer Banks, click here to find out what you need to know before buying in the area.