Rochester WA real estate market update April 2014

Here is the Rochester WA current real estate market update as of April 2014 (area 455 on the map below).

Rochester, WA is located in the southernmost part of Thurston County, and is best known for its Scandinavian heritage celebrations.  Rochester is also the home to the Great Wolf Lodge and the Lucky Eagle Casino operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.  Rochester features farming parcels as well as vintage homes in the downtown area.  Many residents of these towns are in the Rochester School District.

Thurston County Map 

MARKET SNAPSHOT:

Rochester (Area 455) This Year Last Year + / – / =
Average Sales Price in Q1: $180,425 $184,435 Stable
# of Homes Sold in Q1: 38 26 Good!
Absorption Rate for April (how long it takes the market to absorb the inventory): 4.7 months 6.7 months Balanced Market
# of Homes Currently Listed: 63 (67 from this time last year)
Current Listed Home Price Range: $65,000 to $954,900

Average home sales prices for Rochester remained stable with very little change.  The Rochester market is showing steady improvement, which is a good thing.

The number of homes sold for Rochester has done quite well for the first quarter.  It beat out last year’s first quarter by 31.6%! This is also a very good sign that the market is improving and heading for a healthy market.

The absorption rate saw a huge gain this quarter.  This examines the number of homes available for sale and the number of buyers able and ready to absorb the inventory.  Positive numbers!

Market Timeline

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SELLERS?

The bottom has hit and we are moving passed the lowest point of the market.  This doesn’t mean prices will skyrocket upward.  The market still has many months of recovery but the downward spiral has stopped.

Sellers still need to price appropriately with the market.  No matter if it’s a “hot” seller’s market or a slow buyer’s market, sellers still need to price right according to the conditions of the market in order to have a successful sale.

Less inventory.  This is good for sellers as there is less for buyers to choose, and we have seen multiple offer situations with several buyers competing for the same property.

Overall, it’s been a long time coming, but the market has improved enough for many sellers to consider their next move.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BUYERS?

Buyers need to act – no more fence-sitting.  The luxury of waiting and watching the market are over for buyers.  With less inventory and more buyers entering the market, buyers may find themselves competing for a property.

Pay attention to where interest rates are heading.  Even though interest rates below 6% are considered very low, many buyers over the last five years have enjoyed rates at half that – 3% to 4%.  Local lenders are predicting we will squarely be at 5% by the end of 2014.  Buyers will need to stay on top of where interest rates are heading.

Be prepared.  Buyers need to be prepared financially to purchase a property.  That means working with a quality local lender and getting pre-approved so that you are ready to make an offer when you find the right house.  Secondly, buyers need to be prepared that a seller may not agree to pay a buyer’s closing costs.

See all the homes currently listed for sale in 455 Rochester.

Visit my website to search Rochester, WA homes for sale, or sign up and get notified when homes that meet your criteria come up on the market.  Be the first to know of a new listing!  Also click here to learn what NOT to do when buying a Rochester, WA home.

 

If you’d like to learn more about how your home fits into this market and would like a personalized home evaluation, feel free to email me (francine.viola@cbolympia.com) or call me today at (360) 359-0689.  With no obligation, I can give you straight-forward, fact-based information so you can decide if the time is right to make your next real estate move.

 

Click here to see the market updates for other areas of Thurston County.

 

Local statistics compiled by Francine Viola from NWMLS data. Statistics not compiled or published by  NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service).

Originally posted and written by Francine Viola at her blog site:  www.InTuneRealEstate.com, where you can learn more about the real estate market in Thurston County and get tips and advice for a smooth real estate transaction!