Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Up in July 2011

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in July, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 12 percent last month with a total of 15,517 homes sold statewide compared to 13,874 homes sold in July 2010, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos last month also rose 12 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.

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“Realtors in markets across the state are reporting increased activity from potential homebuyers who are ready to advantage of historically low mortgage rates and current availability of affordable housing options,” said 2011 Florida Realtors President Patricia Fitzgerald, manager/broker-associate with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound and Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart.

Fifteen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales in July; 13 MSAs had higher existing condo sales.

The statewide median sales price for existing homes last month was $136,500; a year ago, it was $137,700 for only a 1 percent decrease. Analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in June 2011 was $184,600, up 0.6 percent from a year ago, according to NAR. In Massachusetts, the statewide median resales price was $325,850 in June; in California, it was $295,300; in Maryland, it was $247,100; and in New York, it was $221,595.

In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 6,619 units sold statewide last month compared to 5,904 units in July 2010 for an increase of 12 percent. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $90,900; in July 2010 it was $87,800 for a 4 percent increase. NAR notes the national median existing condo sales price was $182,300 in June 2011.

Economic uncertainty continued to impact the recovery of the housing sector, according to NAR’s latest industry outlook. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun pointed to overly restrictive lending requirements, low appraisals and federal budget issues as factors affecting the pace of sales activity.

Economic and political worries also dampened the outlook for Florida’s real estate markets, according to the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies’ latest quarterly survey of real estate trends. The report surveys economists, industry executives, real estate scholars, researchers and other experts.

“Even though unemployment in Florida improved in many markets, the pace of change and the still-high levels are affecting the pace of improvements in the real estate markets,” said Center Director Tim Becker. “Consumers continue to be cautious and pessimistic about their own spending, which is also affecting the rate of fundamental improvement.”

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.55 percent in July, about the same level as the 4.56 percent average during the same month a year earlier. Florida Realtors’ sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Two charts showing statistics for Florida and the state’s MSAs are attached. One chart compares the volume of existing, single-family home sales and median sales prices in July 2011 to July 2010 based on Realtor transactions; another compares the volume of existing, condominium sales and median sales prices in July 2011 to July 2010 based on Realtor transactions.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 64 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

Editor's note: Sales numbers represent totals of Realtors' closed transactions from local Realtor boards/associations within the MSAs.

This information is based on a survey of MLS sales levels from local Realtor boards/associations. MSAs are defined by the 2000 Census. Source: Florida Realtors® and the University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies.

Editor's note: Sales numbers represent totals of Realtors' closed transactions from local Realtor boards/associations within the MSAs.

This information is based on a survey of MLS sales levels from local Realtor boards/associations. MSAs are defined by the 2000 Census. Source: Florida Realtors® and the University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies.

Editor’s Note: You may wish to use this information with today’s release from the National Association of Realtors.

SOURCE Florida Realtors