For last year, Buncombe County had a 4% increase in homes sold while nationally the number of existing homes sold increased a modest 1.7%. BlackMountain, which stayed strong in the housing market for longer thanBuncombeCounty, had a 23% increase in number of homes sold for the year.

Asheville Real Estate Market Bears Studying

In another positive sign, the number of housing units on the market decreased during the year.  InBuncombeCounty, the number of homes on the market decreased 16 % while that number inBlackMountaindecreased 22%.  Nationally the available inventory of homes on the market has decreased as well.

There are still signs of softness in the market.  For example, average home prices for the last year decreased 5% inBuncombeCountyand 7% inBlackMountainand days on market continues to be lengthy.  Both of these numbers are lagging indicators and will not show signs of improvement until the market has gained strength.

A quick glance at land sales in the area indicate that bothBuncombeCountyandBlackMountainexperienced an increase in land units sold, though we are still far from the peak that occurred in 2006.  Also, land units on the market have decreased in both markets.

The Feds recent announcement that interest rates will remain low until at least 2014, combined with the positive numbers reported in our markets for the 2011 year, lead me to believe that the housing market in our area is edging upward.  As we head into our busy market time, we should see continued growth, a sign that we may be leading the national housing market into recovery.

With the rental restrictions, many Realtors reported that homebuyers looking for second homes were often deterred by the rental restrictions.  It is not unusual for people planning to retire in Buncombe County to buy a home prior to retirement and put it into the rental market until they are ready to relocate to the area permanently.  The restrictions meant that was no longer a legal option.

Rental Restrictions for Buncombe County revized.

With the commissioners’ action which allows rentals countywide, homeowners will now have that option restored.  In addition, visitors to the Asheville area will have more rental properties from which to choose.  Many tourists prefer to stay in a home and have a more authentic mountain cabin experience than a hotel room may provide.

For more information about Asheville area homes and rental properties, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Asheville rental cabins give an authentic mountain experience.

Home buyers in our area often buy homes with an eye for the future.  They purchase now with the intention of renting the home until they reach retirement age.  By limiting which homes can become rental properties, the current ordinance restricts the Asheville real estate market.  When potential buyers learn that they cannot rent a specific home within certain zones, they decide against purchasing in this area.  The present ordinance sends potential real estate buyers into other mountain communities that will allow renting.

In another economic blow, the restriction of rental properties also reduces occupancy and sales tax when renters go to other communities instead of renting here. In addition, the work force is reduced when home cleaners, maintenance and repair people, and landscapers, to name a few, are no longer needed for the upkeep of rental homes. And finally, tourism is reduced.  With the restriction of rental properties comes the limiting of renters which in turn limits the seasonal tourism dollars which our communities are so dependent on for a vibrant economy.

For more information about the Asheville real estate market and Greybeard’s offerings in the area, please contact Greybeard Realty.

In considering the first two months of market numbers for Buncombe County and Black Mountain, there are some numbers that seem solid.  The number of homes sold for Jan/Feb this year, compared with last year’s numbers, are steady. In addition, in Black Mountain, the 14 homes sold are only two less than the 16 units sold for this period during 2008 before the national real estate market decline.  The County comparison for homes sold this year to date compared with 2008 during the same period, however, represents a 32% decline.

Sales volume comparison for the same period for 2011 versus 2010 in the County shows a 10% decline.  Black Mountain sales volume for these first two months of 2011 shows a 12% increase over the same period in 2010.  Those numbers parallel the average price trend, which has Buncombe County declining 9% and Black Mountain increasing 4%.

One area of concern is Days on Market which has increased in both the County and Black Mountain.  The number of days, 187 for both markets, is about double what we would like to see in a growing real estate market.  It’s also interesting to note the number of homes on the market which has remained steady in Black Mountain and decreased in Buncombe County.  While that would seem like a positive, there is no way without further study to determine if those numbers are that way because people are removing their homes from the market or holding off putting them on the market until the market picks up a bit.

Again, different people will consider these numbers and perhaps have a different slant to put on them.  But I look at these numbers and the market trends over the last few years, and I feel very comfortable noting that with spring here and summer around the corner, we are entering an active period for home sales.  And if buyers enter the market willing to offer fair price, they should be able to buy a home that will meet their needs now and provide them with a solid investment for the future.

For more information about the Asheville Real Estate market, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Tiger Woods might need a mulligan.

His Asheville project, the Cliffs at High Carolina, reportedly paid him $10 million, and the golfing star attended the November 2008 groundbreaking with high hopes. The Cliffs reported then having sold 40 lots starting at $500,000 each.   Since then, not much has happened.

For a more complete understanding of Tiger’s designs, check out the NY Times article that discusses the apparent cancellation of his Dubai project, as well as problems with his other two planned courses.

While Tiger’s off-course travails may have had some effect, the national economic issues appear have impacted the slow-down even more.

For information about golf property available in the area, we invite you to view current Asheville area golf course community listings on our site or contact Greybeard Realty.

The interest in smaller homes can be understood given the recent tightening of mortgage restrictions, making it even more difficult to finance these larger homes.  In addition, with the national decline of  home values in the current economy, those hoping to upgrade to a McMansion may find it harder to get their value out of their existing home.

McMansions may be on the way out.

This trend toward to smaller homes is even making its way into the second home market.  In major markets across the country, developers are moving away from large vacation homes and moving toward smaller, more compact homes. Again, financing a second home can be more challenging than in the past, and potential homeowners seem to be looking for value and convenience over opulence.

In addition to being more difficult to finance, these larger homes, both primary and second homes, are more expensive to furnish, heat and upkeep, all of which is making the move away from super-sized homes more appealing.

Locally, since 2005, the number of larger homes sold has decreased in Buncombe County.  In 2005, 140 homes of 4,000 sq. ft. and 57 homes of 5,000 sq. ft. sold.  In 2010, those numbers of units sold had decreased to 93 units and 30 units respectfully. For more information or help in choosing the right sized home in the Asheville area, please contact Greybeard Realty.

 In fact, single-family home permits, which is viewed as a more stable indicator of new homebuilding activity, stayed flat for the month. Again, however, economists noted that the figures alone did not tell the whole story.  They said that staying flat in this case could be seen as positive news.  Given the harsh winter weather, making new construction more challenging, some experts had predicted a decline in new building permits.

Building Permits on the Rise

In addition, future housing permits declined 10.4% from last month to 562,000 falling short of the 575,000 figure that a national survey had predicted. Once again, however, economists qualified the numbers by saying that the December future housing permits were perhaps artificially high as people hurried to beat more stringent building restrictions anticipated for 2011.  For more information, please contact Greybeard Realty.

It’s interesting to note, however, that these numbers were influenced by a spike in home sales in the West which economists feel have skewed the numbers toward the positive.  Also, it’s important to note that while there was in increase, it was still down significantly from its peak of 1.283 million-units in 2005.

What do the numbers mean?

With the surge in the West leading the way, the supply of new homes declined to its lowest level since last April.  In addition, the median home price for the period of $241,500 showed an increased to the highest mark since April of 2008. 

Closer to home, Buncombe County Realtors sold $49 million worth of homes during December which was the highest sales volume for homes in the last five months. 

These numbers alone are not enough to indicate a increasing trend, but coupled with the recent stock market rise and the decision by the Federal Reserve to maintain the low interest rates available, it may be seen as a small sign of hope for the new home sales market. For assistance in the Asheville real estate market, please contact us.

Greybeard Realty:Property for Sale

A closer look at those numbers, however, does indicate some signs that the market may be stabilizing.  In fact, coupled with the slight economic improvements cited by Chairman Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve earlier this month, one can even argue that the real estate market in our area is in a position to start an upward turn in the near future.

In Buncombe County, the number of homes sold held steady from 2009 to 2010 while the total sales volume and average price for home sales both declined at a rate of 4%.  That decrease is slightly lower than the 7% decrease experienced in the county market from 2008 to 2009 in average price and significantly less than the 17% decrease in total sales volume from 2008 to 2009.  And that’s where one has to look at the county market with a bit of optimism.  With prices declining at a slightly lower rate than the previous year, the real estate market may be indicating that home prices are stabilizing.

In Black Mountain, the numbers are not as optimistic.  First of all, the area experienced a 14 percent decline in number of homes sold.  Sales volume decreased 17 percent as well.  The average home prices dropped 4% which actually is an improvement from the 11% decline from 2008 to 2009.

Black Mountain’s real estate market buyers differ from those of the County because many of them tend to be buying second homes, homes for retirement and vacation homes.  There is little doubt that tighter mortgage restrictions on second homes have restricted the number of buyers who can afford to enter the market at this time.

So why, you may fairly ask, do I see signs of hope in these numbers?   First of all, it’s important that home prices seem to have stabilized.  Buyers who have been waiting for the market’s home prices to bottom out can see that the numbers seem to be slowing in their decline.  With that pricing trend, buyers who have been waiting may see that it’s time to enter the market before prices start moving up. Secondly, the stock market reached a two year high this month indicating that some buyers with larger portfolios may now have the funds needed to buy their second homes outright or at least have the money required for a down payment on a second home.

More patience may be required before the area market shows a complete turnaround.  I do think, however, that the most recent numbers can be read as showing very slight signs of life.  As is often the case with the real estate market, it’s too soon to know whether we should tip our hats to the bull market that’s just around the corner or pass the hat for the trouble that’s ahead.  In this case, however, I’m going to tip my hat and hope the economy continues on its change of course. We encourage you to check out our Buncombe County real estate listings, or contact us if you have any questions.

Mountain Views

If you have considered buying a second home, this may be the time to really start your search.  Before entering the buyers’ market, however, there are some simple steps which can alleviate future issues during the buying process.  First of all, do your homework.  What purpose would the home serve?  Will you be renting it out when you aren’t there?  Will you retire there in a few years? How much room do you need? Will you need a management company to keep the home in good condition and keep it rented regularly?

Another important step is to assess your own financial situation.  Will you need a second home mortgage which requires more stringent financials?  How much can you afford to spend?  It makes no sense searching through $1 million homes if you have a budget of $350,000.  Do you have a stellar credit rating?  If not, clean it up prior to applying for that second mortgage.

In the article, financial experts indicated that mortgage lenders were requiring as much as 25% down on second homes and clean credit reports.  Further, they indicated that the best prices on homes were found by buyers able to pay full cash for the home price.  The markets studied were Barnstable County, Cape Cod, MA, Mercer Island, WA, Hilton Head, SC, and Palm Beach, FL, and the increase of the number of homes sold ranged from 9% to 181%.

National numbers for 2010 second home sales will not be available until March 2011, but if these specific markets are any indication, it may be time to consider looking around for that second home. For more information, contact Greybeard Realty.