Taylor Scott International News
Miami single family home sales increased in January and all residential median sale prices continued their more than three years of consistent growth, according to the latest index. The Miami market is one of the most active in the United States and benefits from domestic demand as well as numerous overseas buyers who often pay cash for second or investment homes. Single family home sales, which set an all-time annual record in 2014, increased 6.5% relative to January 2014 while condominium sales, which posted the second best year in Miami history last year despite increased supply of new condo construction, decreased 15%. Overall, the data from the Miami Association of Realtors shows that combined, residential real estate sales decreased 6% last month compared to the same time period in 2014. ‘Miami is seeing a consistent and steady increase in single-family home sales while condo buyers are trending to the new coastal units becoming available,’ said Christopher Zoller, the 2015 residential president of the Miami Association of Realtors. ‘More houses are coming on the market, which means sellers are feeling confident about the housing market and strong sales show that buyers are also feeling confident,’ he added. Single family home prices, which again increased in January year on year, remain at affordable 2004 levels despite more than three years of consistent year on year increases. Condo prices also increased in January 2015, marking 43 months of growth in the last 44 months. The median sale price for single family homes increased 5.6%, up to $237,500 in January 2015 from $225,000 in January 2014. The average sale price for single family homes decreased 4% to $392,172 last month from $408,626 during the same time period last year. Compared to January 2014, the median sale price for condominiums increased 1.3% to $188,500 from $186,000 a year prior. The average sale for condominiums increased 3.2% to $372,978 from $361,282 in January 2014. Miami single family homes and condominiums continue to sell close to asking price, reflecting a strong consumer demand. The median number of days on the market for single family homes sold in January 2015 was just 51 days, an increase of 10.9% compared to the same period in 2014. The average percent of original list price received was 94.3%, down a negligible 1.2% from a year earlier. The median number of days on the market for condominiums sold in January 2015 was 66 days, an increase of 17.9% compared to the same period in 2014. The average percent of original list price received was 93%, a 3.2% decrease. The report points out that cash sales in Miami continue to decline as more financing becomes available. Access to mortgage loans for condominium buyers, however, remains limited. The lack of Federal Housing Administration loans for a large number of existing Miami condominium buildings is preventing further market strengthening. In Miami-Dade County, 57.3% of total closed sales in January 2015 were all-cash transactions, compared to 61.9% in the same time period… Taylor Scott International
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