By Pat Licata, External Affairs Committee

The inventory shortage experienced by most regions of the country was evident in Lake of the Woods in 2018, as listings were down 13.9% over those in 2017. 234 sales were reported in our MLS in 2018, down from 294 in 2017 (a 19.6% decrease).  New construction accounted for 11 of the 234 sales. The median sold price increased 4.56% year over year from $239,000 to $249,900.

Of the 234 total sales in 2018, only 15, or 6.4%, were either short sales or foreclosures.

At the height of the distressed real estate market in 2010, a whopping 43% of all sales were either short sales or foreclosures.

So let’s look at our steady growth over the past five years:

In 2014, the median sold price was $219,450, with 193 homes selling. Only 11.9% were distressed. Average days on market was 92.

In 2015, the total sales climbed to 247, with 15% being distressed. The total sales represented almost a 30% gain over 2014, and the median sales price dropped to $210,000.

In 2016, the market was quite flat compared to 2015 in regards to total sales, which held at 243 with a decrease in distressed sales to 11.1%. However, 2016 saw the median price jump to $225000, a healthy 7.1% increase.

In 2017, there were 294 total sales, a whopping 21.1% increase over 2016 with only 5.8% being distressed. The median sales price climbed to $239,000.

Average days on the market (DOM), which is the number of days it takes from the time a property is listed until it goes under contract, has steadily declined from 92 days in 2014 to 76 in 2018.

It’s also telling to note that a significant number of lots have sold in the past five years. From January 1, 2014-December 31, 2018, 177 lots exchanged, with 55 occurring in 2018.

New Construction has been climbing, as well. 2014 realized 18 new construction starts; in 2015, there were 41; in 2016, there were 28; in 2017, there were 30; and in 2018, there were 34.

In 2019, according to Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the National Association of Realtors, mortgage rates are expected to increase at a much slower pace than that in 2018. So far in 2019, they have actually decreased from the 4th quarter of 2018.

The prognosis for 2019 is excellent!  In many areas of the country, inventory is rising. In LOW, there are 62 homes active on the market as of 1/26/2019. Last year in January, there were 55. More stable rates and more inventory should propel us to experience healthy sales and appreciation.

**All statistics have been obtained from BrightMLS, our local MLS, except for new construction starts, which were obtained from LOWA.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

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