The Triniyah Podcast

Connecticut Real Estate Market Weekly Insights (11-25-24)

Episode Summary

This week's episode of Connecticut Real Estate Market Weekly Insights explores the latest Connecticut housing trends, including rising home values, declining sales, and a tightening market with only 2.2 months of inventory. We also discuss interest rates, labor market stability, builder confidence, and notable local real estate transactions.

Episode Notes

In this episode, we dive into the latest trends and news shaping the Connecticut real estate market:

Connecticut Real Estate Market Update (October 2023 - October 2024):

• Home Value Growth: Single-family homes saw a 9.2% increase in value.
• Inventory Decline: Homes for sale dropped 2.1%, leading to tighter market conditions.
• Sales Trends: Pending home sales fell by 2.5%, while closed sales decreased by 4.5%.
• Speed of Sale: Median days on market dropped to 11 days, down 26.7% from last year.
• Market Supply: With just 2.2 months of inventory, sellers retain leverage in most transactions.
• Competitive Pricing: Homes are selling at 103% of their asking price, up 0.4%.
• Buyer Interest: The average number of showings per contract is 18.6, highlighting competitive demand.

General Real Estate News:

Mortgage Rates:

• 30-year fixed: 7.04%
• 15-year fixed: 6.41%
• FHA & VA loans: 6.45%

Labor Market Insights (September 2024):

• Unemployment fell to 3.2%, a 23-year low.
• Private-sector jobs rose 0.6% annually, with average hourly earnings up 6.1% to $38.21.

Builder Confidence: Builder sentiment climbed for a third consecutive month, supported by regulatory optimism following election results. Challenges like labor shortages and material costs remain significant.

Shifting Buyer Power: Rising mortgage rates and seasonal trends have eased competition, signaling a potential shift toward a more buyer-friendly market.

Key National Trends:

• Housing Preferences: Traditional agents remain the preferred choice for sellers, with 67% citing better sale prices and ease of use.
• Inventory Recovery: The U.S. housing market inventory gap continues to narrow, with active listings improving but still 21% below pre-pandemic levels.
• Affordability Struggles: Nearly 74% of Americans earning <$50K face challenges meeting housing costs, with significant sacrifices reported.

Local Headlines:

1. Torrington Sale: Days Inn at 492 East Main Street sold for $3.8 million, marking a significant local transaction.
2. East Hartford Industrial Building: An aerospace property sold for $11.5 million, more than doubling its value since 2021.
3. Property Enforcement: New Haven fined a landlord $25,000 for neglecting mandatory inspections, reflecting heightened enforcement efforts.