Market Update

statistics provided by SCRealtors.org

Below is a recap of the Charleston Real Estate Market, information provided by the South Carolina Association of Realtors and reflects July 2022.

The U.S. housing market has continued to cool, as rising mortgage rates and record high sales prices have stifled affordability, weakening demand and pricing out a multitude of buyers. Nationally, median household income has failed to keep pace with increasing mortgage payments, with the costs of buying a home about 80% more expensive now than they were just three summers ago, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

As more and more prospective buyers find their home purchase plans delayed, many are turning to the rental market, where competition has intensified due to increased demand.

  • New Listings were down 7.9 percent to 11,981
  • Pending Sales decreased 22.0 percent to 8,014
  • Inventory grew 36.3 percent to 18,377 units
  • Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up 17.6 percent to $323,272
  • Days on Market decreased 2.4 percent to 40 days
  • Months Supply of Inventory was up 46.2 percent to 1.9 months

At a time of year when home buying activity is typically very strong, soaring homeownership costs have caused home sales to decline nationwide for the fifth consecutive month, with existing-home sales falling 5.4% month-to-month and14.2% year-over-year as of last measure, according to NAR.

But there is a bright spot. Inventory of existing homes has continued to climb this summer, with 1.26 million homes available at the beginning of July, equivalent to a 3 months’ supply. And despite the summer slowdown, homes are still selling quickly, with the typical home staying on market an average of 14 days.

If you have questions about buying or selling, please reach out to me at Jackie@thecassinagroup.com.

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Mortgage Rates Topping out?

Interesting quick read by Laurence Yun, the Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors: Slowing Inflation Suggests Mortgage Rates Have Topped Out.

NAR’s chief economist shares what now needs to happen to bring down borrowing costs and increase affordability for home buyers.

August 11, 2022

Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Inflation eased slightly in July, which could bode well for the housing market in the months ahead, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®. Overall, inflation slowed from 9.1% in June to 8.5% in July, but prices for food and rent continued to climb, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index showed Wednesday.

Still, the slight deceleration suggests that consumer price inflation may have peaked, which suggests that mortgage rates also may have peaked, Yun says. The level of inflation “is still high and uncomfortable but may indicate the start of a steady retreat,” Yun adds.

Gasoline prices posted a 7% monthly decline, a significant contributor to the recent moderation in inflation. However, prices remain 44% higher than a year ago and 104% higher than two years ago. Also, the CPI showed that the rising costs of food, up 10.9% in July, continue to hit many Americans’ pocketbooks. That’s the highest increase in food prices since May 1979. Household energy costs were up 20.5%, and furniture costs were up 14.8%.

Rents continued to rise in July, up 6.3% compared to a year prior, the CPI showed. “That is a testament to the ongoing housing shortage,” Yun says.

But could the worst of sky-high inflation be behind Americans? Yun thinks so. “If there is a sustained decline in gasoline prices and more production of apartments and single-family homes, consumer prices will pull back, encouraging the Federal Reserve policy to be less aggressive,” Yun says. “Mortgage rates will fall.”

On Wednesday morning, the 10-year Treasury yield stood at 2.7%. “That should translate into 30-year mortgage rates pulling back to under 5%,” Yun says. “Some recent potential home buyers who were pushed out of the market may now be able to get back in and qualify for a mortgage.”

Click for complete article and more information

Year-To-Date Stats Show Average Sales Price Up 41% in 2022 vs. 2021

Stats provided by The Charleston Association of Realtors

Here are the latest stats for single family homes in Lower Mt. Pleasant (South of the IOP Connector):

*Home Sales were down 29% with a total of 229 homes sold in 2022 vs. 324 sold in 2021

*Average Sales Price went up 41% with the average price being $1,170,500 in 2022 vs $826,000 in 2021

*Average Days On Market went down 63% with 12 days being the average in 2022 vs 33 days in 2021

​I’ve been selling homes for over 22 years and have helped clients navigate through all types of markets. The challenge of today’s market comes down to the pace, things are moving quickly and it has never been more important to team up with a full-time professional. If you are thinking of buying or selling, please reach out to me at Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com.

Looking for an Old Village Home For Sale!!!

I have a lovely buyer who really wants to live in the Historic District of The Old Village. We’ve seen everything currently on the market, so I am reaching out to my community for your help! If you hear of anyone who would consider selling in this area, please reach out to me at Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com. Thanks!

CTAR Real Estate Market Recap for January 2022

Quote from 2022 CTAR President Jon Stroud regarding January, 2022

Information provided by Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
Median Home Price Continues to Climb, Sales Slowed by Lack of Inventory

1,398 homes sold in January in the Charleston region at a median price of $360,000 according to preliminary data released today by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR).

Sales volume declined slightly, by 3% when compared to last January’s sales of 1,447 homes. Median price increased by 14% from the January 2021 figure of 315,000.

Inventory data shows 53% fewer homes, with 1,203 homes listed as “active” for sale in the CHS Regional MLS database at the end of the month—representing just under one month’s worth of available inventory.

If you are interested in learning more details about your specific market, please contact me at Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com

108 Live Oak, Old Village

Available for $2,349,000. Located in the historic district of the Old Village and steps from Shem Creek, this beautifully designed home has it all. Quality detail and sophisticated efficiency make this home a must see. Features include: *3900 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths *Beautiful wide-planked heart pine flooring and exquisite woodwork throughout *Wrap around porch with tongue and groove ceiling, floor to ceiling solid mahogany french doors and gas lanterns *Foyer with elaborate mouldings *Living room with gas fireplace and built-in book shelves *Gourmet kitchen with decorative wood beams, butcher block island, farm sink, 6-burner gas stove with pot filler and double ovens *Eat-in area connecting the living room with the kitchen *Dining room with tons of natural light *Lovely screened porch with marsh and creek peeks and steps leading to the private yard with low-maintenance landscaping *Charming powder room with custom vanity *Primary suite on 2nd floor includes a spacious bathroom with soaking tub, double sink vanity, private water closet with bidet, tiled steam-shower, and dual walk-in closets *Two additional large bedrooms, both with walk-in closets and shared bath *Functional laundry room with wash sink, storage closet and shelving *Adorable built-in office nook *Top floor bonus/media room flanked with a wood-lined vaulted ceiling *Fourth bedroom with private bath *Ample attic storage *Uniquely crafted arch-top mahogany interior doors with etched glass and plantation shutters throughout *Energy efficient features such as tankless water heater and cement plank exterior *Elevator shaft closet *This home is ICF (insulated concrete form) built offering significant energy savings, reduced noise transmission, and does not support the growth of mold or mildew. It is built to any seismic or hurricane-storm standard and offers up to a four-hour Fire Resistive Rating. Enjoy all that makes this area so special: Walk, bike or golf cart to Alhambra Hall, Pitt Street Pharmacy, or the Farmer’s Market. Go fishing at the Old Pitt St. Bridge or kayak from the public launch site at Shem Creek. Visit the dog park or play tennis and pickleball on the neighborhood courts. Close to many of the local shops and restaurants, including Shem Creek. Award winning Mt. Pleasant Academy and Moultrie Middle Schools are an added bonus! Located just minutes from downtown Charleston and Sullivan’s Island, making this an ideal spot to live! Don’t miss your opportunity to find your special Old Village Lifestyle home! Please reach out for more, Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com