November OBX Update

Image for November blog post

Let’s take a basic approach this month.

Here’s what we have:

Inventory is generally the highest in our spring market.  This year, we are seeing a 26% increase in inventory in fall versus spring.  That’s pretty unusual.

  • Spring Average Inventory – 280 homes
  • Fall Average Inventory – 380 homes

Similarly, sales are also at their highest in the spring market.  Here, we see a normal 14% drop so far for fall.

  • Spring 3-month average sold – 170
  • Fall 3-month average sold – 145

It’s still not taking long to get properties sold.

  • Median days on market is still pretty low at around 3 weeks.

Pricing hasn’t changed very much, despite seeing more price reductions.  We aren’t seeing a tangible change just yet.

  • Median price in spring vs fall is hovering right around $540,000
  • 59% of closed properties sold UNDER asking price
  • 22% sold AT asking price
  • 19% sold MORE than asking price

While mortgage applications are down, it’s not impacting us yet.

  • 30% of all sales in September were cash

Bottom line is for now, things are still moving along.  However, there are these subtle differences.  Markets don’t change all at once.  It happens little, by little, by little, then all at once!

I’ll be watching.

April Market Report for the Outer Banks

Here’s a quick snapshot of what we’re dealing with as we look at current active inventory versus what is currently under contract.

Active Under Contract Sold so far 2021
Corolla 38 119 132
Duck 22 15 40
Southern Shores 10 22 28
Kitty Hawk 8 22 31
Kill Devil Hills 12 57 101
Nags Head 31 50 82

*Source OBAR MLS for single-family homes only

I’ve been selling since 1997, and I’ve never seen anything like this.  It’s very exciting to have so many people this dedicated to buy their beach dream home.  It’s also a very challenging market!  Despite what it looks like, finding the buyer is a very small percentage of what an agent does for a seller.  With increased regulations, rules, financing challenges, and buyer expectations, having a good agent on your side, truly is instrumental to getting the transaction closed.  If you have any questions about buying or selling in this market, please contact me.