Read. Learn. Repeat.

March 2020 Market Snapshot

Apr 8, 2020

Real Estate Remains An Essential Service

What a surreal month it’s been for our market. As we geared up for another spring frenzy, our real estate industry contended with rapid changes and increased uncertainty.

If you haven’t heard, Governor Polis’ Stay-at-Home Order deemed real estate an ‘Essential Service.’ It was a massive relief for many of our buyers and homeowners wanting to refinance. Our clients’ health and safety is a primary focus, so we’ve adjusted our operations according to CDC’s guidelines:

  • No-Contact Transactions – closings are being done by mail or curbside.
  • Virtual tours, Zoom, and FaceTime are part of our everyday tools.

So across the metro area, real estate continued (source: DMAR Real Estate Market Trends Report):

  • New Listings: 30% more homes came on the market than in February. While a portion of sellers withdrew their listings towards the end of the month, our inventory remained solid.
  • Sold Homes: 8% more homes went under contract and 12% more homes sold.
  • Average Days on Market: Sellers accepted buyers’ offers 24% faster (29 days vs. 38 in February).
  • Sales Price was a record-breaking $513,526.

The demand for listings remains high and interest rates remain low. We in the industry are adjusting our processes to provide you the best care. After all, as real estate professionals, adaptability is one of our biggest strengths.

Virtual Tour Lender Credit

Mar 23, 2020

During this time of Coronavirus, if you are interested in buying a home but just want to do a virtual tour of a home and make an offer, we are making a special offer to you. We will pay for your appraisal ($610). It’s a new era and we have to adapt! View our coupon here.

Call the Oddo Group at Luminate Home Loans in Littleton, CO.

Feb 2020 Market Snapshot

Mar 10, 2020

Our Denver Market Was Immune!

Well…we certainly are fortunate to live in the Metro Denver area, aren’t we? Amid the stock market’s performance, coronavirus fears, and February’s nearly record-breaking snowfall, buyers and sellers were determined to get moving:

– Homes flew off the market twice as fast as January (12 Days on the Market – wow)!
– More transactions closed thanks to early-bird buyers and sellers.
– On average, sellers got a slightly better return as the Sold Price increased (single-family homes bumped up to $544,054 – that’s +2.5%).

We had 5.5% more listings enter the market (over 5,000 homes) in February than January, but with so many buyers ready to purchase, homes were quickly snatched up. We actually finished the month with slightly fewer properties for sale.

These market trends + spring’s arrival = a strong, steady real estate market. The demand for homes will continue giving sellers the advantage (except in the $1 million+ market, which is quite balanced in supply and need). And with our record-low mortgage rates right now, buyers have an opportunity to save more money.

I’d love to answer your questions about the market and chat about your goals, plans, and needs. Feel free to shoot me a text, email, or call me anytime.

January 2020 Denver Real Estate Market Stats

Feb 10, 2020

Going, going, GONE!

Both sellers and buyers were ready for January! We had over 4,800 new listings come on the market (that’s 89% more than in December). However, you wouldn’t know this by our end-of-month stat: 4,900 homes went under contract by the end of the month, so we had slightly less inventory at the beginning of February.

With that big dip in transactions over the holidays, 34% fewer closings happened in January. No doubt that stat will see a big boost next month thanks to the surge of activity. Yet we were still short on inventory, so the average sales price remained steady for single-family homes and condos.

  • Most of the single-family home sales in January were in the price range of $500k – $749,999 (our premier market).
  • The largest selection of condos was priced between the $300k to $400k.
  • Buyers with the most negotiation power were purchasing properties over $1 million (our luxury market).
  • It remained a strong seller’s market for all of the price ranges under $1 million.

But buyers are hoping the early bird gets the worm. With such low mortgage interest rates and our occasionally warm days, the Denver-area housing market has heated up well before spring. So homeowners can prepare to list their homes as soon as possible. We are more than ready for you!

Please contact me with all of your real estate questions. It’s my pleasure to strategize plans for my clients. I’d love to hear about your needs so we can craft the best real estate experience for you!

Michelle Oddo
Senior Mortgage Banker & Branch Manager
M (303) 961-6906
O (720) 738-1081
michelle.oddo@goluminate.com

*Source: DMAR monthly market trends report.

Certified Divorce Lending Professional

Jan 13, 2020

Divorce, Real Estate & Mortgage Financing is an issue when you are separating or getting a divorce. Whether refinancing your home after a divorce, or you are going to to purchase a new home, involving a Certified Divorce Lending Professional is important.

As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional in Littleton Colorado, I specialize in working with clients that are separating or going through a divorce situation as well as family law attorneys and financial planners.

I bring expertise of the connection between Law, Tax, and Mortgage Financing Strategies as they all relate to real estate and divorce.

If you have questions about alimony, child support, divorce buyouts or any other divorce or legal separation concerns, please give me a call.

Michelle Oddo is a top mortgage producer at Luminate Home Loans in Littleton Colorado with a proven track record. She’s like to help you in this time of transition.

Michelle Oddo: 303-961-6906
michelle.oddo@goluminate.com

Are You Home Equity Rich?

Jan 3, 2020

Equity is the market value of your home minus what you owe. Denver home prices are shooting up , boosting overall home equity levels. Rising home prices have Denver homeowners sitting on potential cash. That’s good news for homeowners. And it’s another good reason to become one. Tap into your home equity for the right reasons. Pay for a remodel that reinvests money back into your home and increases your resale value. Use the equity to move into a home which better meets your needs.

Give us a call and let’s discuss your situation.

Michelle Oddo: 303-961-6906
michelle.oddo@goluminate.com

denver home equity cash out refi or buy new home

Real Estate Market Seasonal Shifts with Some Surprises!

Dec 6, 2019

Our Denver real estate market certainly keeps us on our mistle-toes!

This time last year, we had a nice increase in residential listings. While we were (still are) hoping for more housing inventory, we’ve seen a decline for the third month in a row. It’s not unusual for our market to take a “holiday slumber.” I just know several home buyers hunting for a new home – even now!

But while our seasonal decline has impacted last month’s closings and transactions, we still discovered some surprises under the tree:
– Days on the Market slowed: Even in a tighter market, on average, buyers took their time to find the right home.
– Sold Price increased: Many sellers got a slightly higher return in November. The average single-family home closed at $537,624 and the average condo was $365,856.

Yes, a few months of lighter inventory does shift our market more in favor of our sellers, but the larger, annual picture reveals our market’s “balancing:”
– We still have over 2% more homes sold for all of 2019 than we did in 2018.
– It took homes 9% more time to go under contract last month than this time last year.
– Our average home price is up by almost 7%, year-over-year ( Source: DMAR Monthly Report).

Buyers wanting to purchase a new home in the new year need an excellent strategy and team of professionals. The new year may be the right time for you to get the ball rolling.

Happy holidays everyone! Text, call or email me during the holidays with any of your questions.  

Michelle Oddo: 303-961-6906
michelle.oddo@goluminate.com 

Planning For 2020

Dec 4, 2019

Join the Oddo Group at Luminate Home Loans for a real estate education and planning event in Littleton, CO.

We’ll help you to develop a personalized plan to:

  • Achieve your most important goals.
  • Build your systems now so you can lean on them in 2020.

Michelle Oddo is a top mortgage producer with a proven track record and she’d like to help you build your road
map to a successful 2020!

For more information on event times and location, Click here .

Mortgage Closing Costs Explained

Nov 25, 2019

Closing costs include fees required to finalize a mortgage. You pay closing costs whether you buy a home or refinance your mortgage. Most of the closing are the responsibility of the buyer, but the seller usually has to pay a few as well.

Visit our video library for more educational videos about mortgage terms, such as points and seller concessions.

You can text, call or email me about any mortgage questions or concerns you may have.

Michelle Oddo: 303-961-6906
michelle.oddo@goluminate.com