Real Estate Information Archive

Pending home sales have risen for three consecutive months, reflecting the broad impact of the home buyer tax credit and favorable housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index rose 6.0 percent to 110.9 based on sales contracts signed in April. This figure is up from 104.6 in March, and is 22.4 percent higher than April 2009 when it was 90.6 and reflects increases of 7.1 percent in March and 8.3 percent in February.

Pending home sales are at the highest level since last October when the index reached 112.4 and first-time buyers were rushing to beat the initial deadline for the tax credit. The data reflects sales contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Let's look at May real estate sales to see how the local Chester County market is faring.

Downingtown Area School District saw a 14% increase in sold listings in May 2010, compared to May 2009.  Pending listings have decreased by  56% and active listings have decreased by 45%.  There was a 13% decreased in average sales price to $292,054, while market times decreased by 34 days.

In the West Chester Area School District, there was an increase in Sold listings  of 29% when compared to May 2009.  While pending sales decreased by 32% in May 2010 when compared to May 2009.  Average sales price increased by 6% to $342,317 and active listings decreased by 8% from May 2009.  Market times have decreased by 31 days.

Sold listing have increased by 28% in the Coatesville Area School District in May 2010 when compared to May 2009.  The average sales price increased by 8% to $235,468 and active listings decreased by 7%.  The number of pending home sales decreased by 33% when compared to May 2009, while homes were on the market on average 6 days more than in May 2009.

A word of caution...markets within a school district can be very different from neighborhood to neighborhood. For the latest Chester County PA real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, please call me at 610-564-SCOT or visit ChesterCountyHomeSource.com.

Owning a home is its own reward, but homeownership can also bring rewards at tax time. This year is especially beneficial for people who are in the market to buy a home, thanks to the $8,000 first-time buyer credit and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers.

Current homeowners can benefit, as well. Tax credits are available for owners who improve the energy efficiency of their home, including replacing exterior windows, skylights and doors and installing efficient heating and air conditioning systems. Certain home improvements may qualify for as much as 30 percent of the project cost, up to $1,500.

Homeowners also enjoy a mortgage interest deduction; allowing them to deduct all the interest paid on up to $1 million in mortgage debt. If you bought a home in the past year, be sure to provide a copy of your HUD-1 statement to your tax preparer. The interest you paid at closing is not reflected in your year-end mortgage statement. Points and other closing costs may also be tax deductible.

Many housing markets were affected by an extremely harsh weather in February. Take a look at what February looked like in our local market:

Let's look at February real estate sales to see how the buyers are taking advantage of these tax benefits in Chester County.

Downingtown Area School District saw a 7% increase in pending sales in February 2010, compared to February 2009.  Sold listings have increased by 19% and active listings have increased by 16%.  There was a 15% increase in average sales price to $349,711, while market times decreased by 19 days.

In the West Chester Area School District, there was a decrease in active listings  of 21% when compared to February 2009.  While pending sales decreased by 3% in February 2010 when compared to February 2009.  Average sales price increased by 5% to $348,806 and sold listings decreased by 31% from February 2009.  Market times increased by 16 days.

Pending sales have remained consistant in the Coatesville Area School District in February 2010 when compared to February 2009.  The average sales price decreased by 10% to $185,725 and active listings decreased by 11%.  The number of homes sold decreased by 19% when compared to February 2009, while homes were on the market on average 3 days more than in February 2009.

A word of caution...markets within a school district can be very different from neighborhood to neighborhood. For the latest Chester County PA real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, please call me at 610-564-SCOT or visit ChesterCountyHomeSource.com.