What’s The Real Estate Market Doing?

Do you ever wonder how our real estate market is here in Des Moines? Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time listening to how rough things are in other cities around the country, but too often we don’t really consider what our real estate climate is like.

I’m a fan of having as much information available before I take action on any big decisions. I don’t know about you, but I think buying or selling a home is a pretty big deal.

As a blogger and mortgage professional, when I receive good information – I pass it on. Home listings and sales are an interesting set of information most of us don’t have super easy access to. Thankfully, I have a Realtor that hammers me with e-mails (Just kidding, I don’t mind them) on market updates and her opinion on where things are at.

Do YOU Need Help?

As a mortgage professional, I cannot sell real estate.  I can however help you connect with a Realtor.  If you are looking for some answers, I’d be happy to introduce you to someone who can help!  No question is silly or too off the wall.

I can also reach out to my connections throughout the country if you’re looking for real estate outside of Iowa.  So please, feel free to contact us, we’d love to help!

Why Should You Care About Statistics?

Whether you’re looking to purchase, sell or refinance a home – this stuff matters. These statistics are compiled from the Multiple Listing Service and cover the Des Moines, Iowa residential real estate market.

With her permission, I post the facts here so you can come up with your very own market opinion. Here’s this week’s market commentary:

“I wanted to share with you today how the market performed overall in May vs last year.  These numbers are still a little rough because there could be some sales from May of 2009 that haven’t been entered in yet, but its looking like we had 694 sales recorded on the books in May of 2009.  Which is down just about 13% from May of 2008 however the number of Sales in May 2009 is up over sales in April of 2009 by about 75 sales.  So while our sales numbers aren’t beating the numbers of 2008 we are consistently seeing month over month growth which signals that things are improving.  Just a fun fact for those non-believers.

I am currently working with a buyer looking to buy a home between $150k and $175k, after weekend 1 of showing houses we had 3 favorites, but wasn’t ready to write an offer, all 3 of those houses sold right away leaving us back where he started.  It just goes to show that houses in that price range are moving and if you have a house in that price range that shows well and you are thinking about moving, you should get it on the market right away.  Many of these houses that are price right and show well are selling in 30 days or less.”

– Heather Barglof, RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts

What Does This Report Cover?

I really enjoy this chart because it gives a breakdown of:

• Days on the Market
• Price Per Square Foot
• Number of New Listings
• Number of Expired Listings
• Number of Price Reductions
• Pending Home Sales (by price)
• New Home Sales (by price)
• All Active Home Sales (by price)
• Best of all, it compares this week vs. last week and last year!

This is a great chart.  I’m not a Realtor and would never try to take the place of one.  If you’re looking for statistics in your specific neighborhood (because your neighborhood is the only one that matters when you’re selling), I can help connect you with the right Realtor for the job!

We Love Great Information and Love to Give Great Information!

If you’re a super cool person and have any market statistics you think our readers would find valuable, please feel free to contact me. If it’s relevant, It’ll show up here!

If you’re looking for my professional opinion or looking for a comment (press related), please contact me here.

Tagged as: des moines homes, House, Sales, Sold