When you hear about the housing market, it refers to the supply and demand for houses in a particular country or region. A vital component of the housing market is trends in house prices. Usually, a steady and robust economy produces a healthy housing market. The unspoken rule is when people are spending money as consumers, they are in a better position to purchase real estate. When more people are in a place to buy houses, housing demand is created, and property values begin to rise.
Understanding the housing market can help you make an informed decision about when it is the best time to purchase or sell a home. Real estate agents can provide guidance, but as a home buyer or seller, it’s necessary to do research and understand the local market. Here are some ways home buyers and sellers can analyze and understand the housing market:
Search Statistics
Most real estate agencies offer quarterly market reports that indicate the state of the market and show what’s selling, for how much, and how quickly. These reports are informative and paint a picture of the past, so it’s necessary to look at current statistics as well.
Be Informed
As a homeowner or buyer, you should inform yourself of everything real estate in the demographic you are interested in. Consider items like renovated and unrenovated properties sell for, who the leading real estate agents are in the area, and how long properties sit on the market before being sold.
Use the Internet
The internet is an excellent place to start to find information on statistics of the housing market in your demographic. Make sure when your searching on the internet, be specific in the terms you are searching for.
View Different Outlets
View local news, information on local neighborhoods, social media of real estate agents, and blogs on market trends in your housing demographic. These outlets provide a different and unique insight into the market.
Do Your Homework
If you are interested in buying in a specific area, you need to do your homework and check out that area before you even select an agent. As you do your homework on the neighborhood, you might realize you prefer a specific street or want to be closer to schools. View what properties in the community are listed for and how long they stay on the market. It’s always a good practice to be well informed when it comes to making the most significant financial decision in your life.
Recognize Market Cycles
When analyzing the housing market, it is necessary to understand the real estate market cycles, which include:
- Studying building you might buy and sell and the compensations
- Knowing your exact budget if buying and having a minimum sales price if selling
- If selling, trade in a seller’s market to get the best price for your home
- When purchasing, you want to buy in a buyer’s market for the opportunities to get a deal
- Real estate can be a high risk, but the rewards can be higher
View Listing Platforms
Information is abundant out there about the housing market; start by looking at big listing websites to see what is pending and currently active. Take a drive around the neighborhood you potentially are interested in. Looking for a new build, tour the model home, or renovations taking place. Be observant of the area you are looking to purchase in, is there a mixture of household and commercial development taking place? This is an indication that the city is growing and homes might increase in value in the future.
