The Flagstaff real estate market has made a lot of interesting changes in the past year. We’ve been so accustomed to negative housing and economic news for the past few years that it seemed recovery would never come. However, for the first time since the real estate crash, sales and prices are finally shifting in a positive direction.
Here are some highlights that show the improving real estate market in Flagstaff.
Fewer Distressed Properties on the Market
As recently as January 2012, distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) made up 61% of all residential sales in Flagstaff! In less than a year and a half, this has dwindled down to the point where only 25% of all sales are foreclosures or short sales. This is still a large enough percentage to have an impact on the market, but the fact that it’s declining is a positive sign for the housing market.
Less Inventory and Rising Prices
The number of available homes in Flagstaff is down 33% from two years ago, while the number of year-to-date sales are up almost 20% in this same time period. This shift in the supply and demand has caused prices to rise for the first time in years. In Flagstaff, most homes have seen appreciation of 7-10% since the low point last year.
Interest Rates Still Low
Interest rates have been averaging at or below 4% for the past year and a half. Rates are constantly in flux but it is generally thought that the rates will begin to gradually increase and recently have begun to do so. The reality is that these rates are incredibly low and, in the long term, have no where to go but up. Of course, even rates in the 5-6% range are low by historical standards, but the exceptionally low 4% rates will likely continue to spur activity while they last.
New Construction is Booming
With the squeeze in available homes, there’s been a surge in new construction in Flagstaff. Year-to-date in Flagstaff, there’s been three times the number of permits granted for residential new construction as there was just last year-to-date. Coconino County has also seen improvement with a 42% increase in residential permits from 2011 to 2012.
Arizona’s Economy is Improving
Not only was Arizona’s housing market one of the hardest hit in the nation, the economy and the state’s finances were in bad shape as well. However, being a resilient state and a state willing to make difficult choices, we’re already on the road to recovery. Arizona has recently been named by Kiplinger as one of the “10 States with Biggest Rate of Job Growth” and by Forbes as one of the “Top 10 Fastest-Growing U.S. States,” both of which are good signs for the future of Arizona. Also, in just a few short years, the state of Arizona has gone from a low balance in the general fund of -$905 million in December 2009 (this was the only time period with a negative balance in at least 20 years) to now having a positive balance of a whopping $2.9 billion!
As you can see, the real estate market and economy have seen some improvements and are currently heading in the right direction. Ideally, we’ll continue to see a gradual, steady increase in sales and prices, supported by a healthy and growing economy.