New listings in Sarasota County were up substantially in January 2014, sending the total inventory to a 32-month high level, up 10.6 percent from December 2013 and yet another sign of a market in a strong recovery period.
In a recovering market, new listings and the overall inventory generally rise as sellers raise their estimation of a property’s value, but the increase normally occurs only after the market has turned up. Inventory levels are now 30 percent above the recent low in July 2013, only six months ago.
In addition, the Sarasota County market continues to witness strong price appreciation, comparing January 2014 to the previous January numbers. The median sale price for single family homes was up 21.3 percent and for condos was up 17.1 percent. While prices are markedly higher than last year at this time, prices have actually ranged in a narrow band for the last five months for condos, and for the past 11 months for single family homes. The steady nature of the median sales price is another indicator of a healthy market, without wild fluctuations or unsustainable price appreciation that was experienced in 2004-2006.
The 12-month rolling median, which moderates monthly swings, for single family homes was $187,000 in January 2014, up about 20 percent from last year at this time. For condos the rolling median was $165,000, up 10 percent over last year’s figure at this time.
Pending sales rose significantly in January from the previous several months, but were lower than last January’s figures. Because of the typical length of time it takes to bring a sale to the closing table, economists consider pending sales to be a good indicator of potential future closed sales.
January 2014 closed sales were up 10 percent over last January, but down from December, a typical trend historically. During the past few years, closed sales have increased significantly in February through June. Local Realtors® are hoping that trend continues and are gearing up for a robust spring buying season. For the full year 2013, Sarasota County had the second highest number of sales ever tracked in the MLS system at 11,184, so the good start in 2014 may be a harbinger for yet another strong year.
