HOMES FOR SALE IN FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA

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REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2010

After having reviewed our postings for the past few months, we decided to give you a different snapshot of the housing market in Fredericksburg, VA.

In August 2009 there were 29 new listings during the month.  In 2010 there were 43 new listings announcing homes for sale in Fredericksbug Virginia.

There were 15 closed sales during August in both 2009 and 2010.  What a coincidence.

Of the 15 closed sales in August 2010, ten (10) were normal sales (not foreclosures or short sales).

One short sale closed and four foreclosures sold.

In August 2009 there were 127 single family homes on the market and in 2010 that number was 118.  This is a decrease of 7.1% which is not really significant.

An interesting figure that pops up is that the median sales price in August 2010 was $282,000.  That is an increase of 22.6% over August 2009.

However, that increase in median sales price may be influenced by the decrease (-5.4%) in the Percent of Original List Price Received at Sale.

It is truly a very mercurial real estate market we have here in Fredericksburg, VA.

You may call us at (540) 368-3900 or email us FBurgRealty@gmail.com for additional help in getting information about buying or selling a home in Fredericksburg VA

Short Sales and Foreclosures in Fredericksburg Virginia Area

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Data Derived On 21 July 2010

A few minutes ago I spoke with a financial advisor who works in the same office building as I do.  He informed me that this afternoon, after the Chairman of the Federal Reserve gave a speech, the stock market plummeted.  He said “Sometimes people should keep their mouth shut.”  Since I did not hear the speech, I cannot quote what the Chairman said but, apparently, it did not sound good to the ears of stock traders.

Recently, a learned real estate market guru made a statement that the best thing that could happen to our economy was for the banks, and other lien holders, to get rid of all the foreclosures.  That may be sage advice but what would be the impact on local real estate markets?

My area of interest is the Fredericksburg Virginia real estate market; this includes the following: City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, King George County, and Caroline County.  In general these jurisdictions are located midway between Washington DC and Richmond VA.

There are 188 foreclosure properties for sale in our MLS.  72 are in Spotsylvania County, 65 in Stafford County, 24 in Caroline County, 18 in King George County, and 9 in the City of Fredericksburg.  Recent census data indicates that the populations of those places (from largest to smallest) are Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, and Fredericksburg.

There are some 300 short sales in those same jurisdictions.  I believe that one could accurately predict that at least half of those homes will eventually end up in foreclosure.  I base this on observing that sellers (those owners who feel unable to keep up making their monthly mortgage payments) are trying to sell at what they feel is a reasonable market value but the lien holder(s) see it from a different perspective.  They are trying to get as close to the amount owed them as they can.  Often this works against both because the market value of a home is predicated on recent sales (which includes all distressed properties).  The recent sales prices are slow to get in to the hands of those making decisions on what is the market price of a specific property.  Could it be an endless circle?

State of the Market – May 2010

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Significant Change

For some reason, I neglected to give you my update on the real estate market for the Fredericksburg Virginia area; this encompasses the City of Fredericksburg, Caroline County, Spotsylvania County, King George County and Stafford County.

For months “short sales” and foreclosures accounted for nearly 50% of the sales in our area.  In May they accounted for 36% of the total real estate sales.

This is certainly good news.  Hopefully, the percentage will continue to decrease.  There are many, however, who have written that there are millions of homeowners who are in serious default on their monthly mortgage payments.  Apparently, it is only a matter of time before mortgage holders initiate foreclosure proceedings.  You may want to check the Free Lance-Star classified to see how many foreclosures take place each week.  This may be a good indication of things to come.

Remember now, I am writing this post after I wrote the one describing the June 2010 market.