Braemar Property Value Report: July-August 2022 (NV Homes)

Braemar Property Value Report: July-August 2022 (NV Homes)

Since the early morning hours on this gorgeous, sunny fall Friday I have heard remarks that it is cold outside. I suppose this is our first fall feeling day, with daytime temperatures below seventy and very brisk winds. When you go about your routine expecting what you had yesterday and put on shorts, of course it feels cold. Being prepared for whatever the current day is bringing is better than being caught unaware. When it comes to our Braemar real estate market, I take my job as a full-time, top producing agent very seriously and make sure my neighbors are well prepared. It has become my mission since starting these Braemar Property Value Reports in 2005 to keep home owners in the neighborhood apprised of current market conditions.

Today’s Braemar Property Value Report is looking at NV Homes in our neighborhood. Simply put, those are the houses built by NV Homes. Just like the other reports this month that have preceded this one, the scope of current sales activity is July and August. During that time, there were three NV homes in our neighborhod that sold. Details of these sales are listed below.

For starters, it needs to be made clear that the list price column above is the original list price when a home hit the market. This is the price the market first saw. During our frenzied seller’s market dating back to 2020, listing agents have developed a terrible habit of changing list price to a higher than list price contract price before closing. This, in my opinion, is a terrible idea. A listing agent wouldn’t change list price to reflect a lower than list price contract price. Further, appraisers have access to the same information agents do. Appraisers can see WHEN a list price changes. Doing so after changing the status to reflect a home is under contract simply tells us all the price it has in a contracted sales price, awaiting appraisal. It does zero good to actually GET the value in appraisal.

In the current market, we are actually seeing significant reductions from original list price like the home that dropped it’s price $120,000. Why would a home not see for more? Amateur marketing photos that don’t create any buyer enthusiasm is one observation. Another would be stating you are selling a home strictly as-is. Advertising that is not a great idea. The final thought might be it was way over priced to begin with. Who knows? Regardless, the home that sold so low below its list price it is definitely a punch in the gut for NV home owners. Another slap comes from seeing $7,800 in closing cost help in another sale. And as the summer months wore on, you can see marketing time increased.

When these three sales are combined with the NV Home sales dating back to September 2021, the updated six and twelve month value points are updated as seen below.

The sold price column shows a tightening gap between the twelve month values compared to their respective six month values. This indicates prices are not increasing as much as they had been. The six month values being higher than their corresponding twelve month values still indicates values are increasing, but not by leaps and bounds.

Seller subsidy (closing cost help to buyers) is definitely higher in the average values than seen last report. As interest rates continue to rise and values climb, buyers are finding their affordability pinched at two ends. As a result seller subsidy is starting to be a more common request.

Days on market, despite some higher actual marketing times in the most recent sales is still single digits in the average and median values down the line. However, both six month values are longer than their respective twelve month values. The summer months are never known as a time to sell quickly. Buyers are more interested in fun in the sun that house hunting in July and August. Marketing times may pick up in the fall, but it does appear that we may be in an inventory building phase of the market, which would start to shift us away from a seller favored market. For now, conditions still favor sellers.

If you placed your NV home on the market, priced to current conditions in Braemar, you could expect it to be under contract in about two weeks or less. You could also expect to be dealing with one buyer at a time. The frenzy of multiple offers seems to have gone away in most circumstances. When it does occur, it is because a home is well prepared, priced right and professionally marketed. For now, it seems seller subsidy is not a foregone conclusion as a seller expense, but don’t be shocked if you encounter offers with it. The 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 6.5% today and 5.85% for jumbo loans.

The next Braemar Property Value Report will be out in November. Between now and then, I do hope you enjoy the show Mother Nature is about to put on with the changing of the leaves. And if you are considering a sale, there is never a bad time, or time too soon, to reach out for listing preparation advice or a check in on the market. Certainly, conditions change, but the way to hit the top of any market is to be well prepared, priced right and professionally marketed. My sellers are counseled on all and reap the rewards. Get in touch for your consultation. Since 2005, No One Knows Braemar Better!

Chris Ann Cleland 
Associate Broker, Licensed in VA
Long & Foster Real Estate
703-402-0037, ChrisAnn@LNF.com
www.SellingBraemar.com
www.UncompromisingValues.com
www.ChrisAnnCleland.com

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