2017 Data | Report
2017 Annual Report on the Charleston Area Housing Market
from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
There is an ongoing and undeniable national housing shortage.
Year-over-year inventory levels have been down in most markets for several years now, and that trend is expected to persist in 2018. Consumers are still purchasing for the first time and relocating to other, presumably more ideal homes.
Having the financial ability to make a move clearly seems feasible to many eager buyers amidst a healthy economy, whether life events such as marriage, children, employment change or desirable downsizing is the reason for moving.
There are further positive signs on the horizon, as builder confidence has improved and construction job gains are measurably higher. It will still take more effort than a lone year can provide for building activity to reach a needed level for inventory balance, but a step in the right direction is welcome.
More sellers should feel ready and willing to list in 2018. Economic indicators such as unemployment rates and consumer confidence are in an improved state, and sellers currently hold the keys in the buyer-seller relationship. This does not mean that sellers can set their price and watch the offers roll in. On the contrary, buyers will be poised to test prevailing price points, particularly in markets where home price increases are outpacing wage growth and in light of the fact that mortgage rates are expected to increase further in 2018.
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Charleston Area Sales Data from 2017
Sales: Pending sales increased 5.4 percent, landing at 18,726 to close out the year. Closed sales were up 3.1 percent to finish 2017 at 18,381.
Listings: Year-over-year, the number of homes available for sale was lower by 14.0 percent. There were 4,673 active listings at the end of 2017. New listings increased by 4.5 percent to finish the year at 24,054. Home supply was once again lower than desired in 2017.
Showings: Demand was high throughout 2017, thus showings were up. Homes for sale received, on average, 3.2 percent more showings. There were 13 showings before pending, which was unchanged compared to 2016.
Distressed Properties: The foreclosure market has dwindled from its peak several years ago. In 2017, the percentage of closed sales that were either foreclosure or short sale decreased by 8.1 percent to end the year at 5.7 percent of the market.
New Construction: New home building has improved across the country but is not yet at a level to help sustain a balanced market. Locally, new construction months of supply finished 2017 at 3.8 months. While previously owned homes have seen months of supply drop from 6.0 to 2.8 months over the last five years, new construction supply has seen less change from a 2014 peak of 5.6 months.
Prices: Home prices were up compared to last year. The overall median sales price increased 4.7 percent to $251,333 for the year. Prices are expected to rise at a slow rate in 2018. Single-Family home prices were up 5.9 percent compared to last year, and Townhouse/Condo home prices were up 4.5 percent.
The historic tax reforms due to make their mark in 2018 will have varying effects across the nation.
High-priced coastal markets may feel the changes stronger than the middle of the country. And some potential buyers may see the changes as providing less of an investment benefit for homeowners.
Some observers warn that there might be enough lack of incentives to stifle homeownership, which is already near 50-year lows. Policymakers claim that the reforms will help boost economic activity and profitability. Whichever direction we ultimately turn, the next year appears to offer a dalliance with balance intended to intrigue both sides of the transaction toward a common middle ground.
For those who have their minds made up to buy a home in 2018, it will likely be a competitive ride. The trend has widely been toward fewer days on market and fewer months of supply, indicating strong demand despite higher prices and low inventory. This could prove tricky for first-time home buyers, especially for those who are impacted by student loan debt, content to rent or among the more than 15 percent of adult children still living at home. In a landscape rife with new variables, residential real estate is certainly poised to offer an interesting and active year ahead.
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