Real Estate Information Archive

Most renters put off buying a home because they think renting is more affordable than buying their own home. But with rents rising across the nation at historic rates, home ownership is becoming the more affordable option. According to a recent Market Outlook Report from Realtor.com, in 2017 rents rose year-over-year in a whopping 78% of counties across the US. These sometimes drastic increases in rent are eating up more of renters’ budgets and often making renting more expensive than purchasing. According to a recent study by Zillow, home ownership has become more affordable than renting in the majority of metro markets across the US. According to the study, the average renter pays nearly 30% of their income towards rent. The average homeowner pays significantly less, with only 15.4% of their income going towards their mortgage. In other words, in many markets, renting compromises nearly twice the income of owning a home.

The Takeaway If you’re renting as a way to save money, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Owning a home is a long-term investment strategy that can help you build your wealth. And with rising rents, it might be the more affordable option as well.

Market Stats Update for December:

SEDONA:

Total Closed Sales: Up 15% from 181 to 209 (over the same time period last year). However, it is down slightly from 215 which we saw last month.

Median Recorded Sales Price: Up 9% from $475K to $519K (over the same time period last year). This is about a 1% gain from this time last month.

Price Per Square Foot: Up 4% from $238 / sq. foot to $248 / sq. foot. No change from this time last month.

Days On Market: Down 8% from 157 to 144 (over this same time period last year).

COTTONWOOD:

Total Closed Sales: Up 4% from 321 to 333 (over this same time period last year). As we saw with Sedona, this figure is also slightly down from the 340 we saw last month.

Median Recorded Sales Price: Up 14% from $197,250 to $225,000 (over this same time period last year). No change from this time last month.

Price Per Square Foot: Up 9% from 131 to 143 (over this same time period last year). No change from this time last month.

Days On Market: This has crept up slightly over this time last year by about 9%, from an average sale taking 110 days last year, to about 117 days current day.

With a continued low inventory driving the prices, we are still in a Seller's market.

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From our family to yours, we wish you a blessed holiday season and hope that all your holiday wishes come true!