RISMEDIA, May 11, 2011—The active housing market data show signs of strength and improvement in the real estate market, despite new lows being reported in the lagging data.The latest market report from Altos Research shows real-time market conditions, with increases in both median prices and inventory in most markets across the United States.
The latest real estate market analysis from Altos Research shows an increase in median prices and housing inventory, and predicts the trend will continue into the summer months. Altos Research tracks the housing market in real-time in order to capture what’s happening right now, versus the traditional method of reporting what happened a few months ago.
“We’re seeing the seasonal shift we always see this time of year,” says Altos Research CEO Mike Simonsen. “Sellers are entering the market to take advantage of the larger pool of buyers, and we also have demand being fueled by low interest rates and comparatively low prices.”
Noteworthy real estate trends in April:
• Austin, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. all showed double-digit inventory increases, with Boston posting the biggest increase at 19.18 percent month-over-month.
• Las Vegas and New York were the only markets showing a decrease in inventory, and the decreases were modest (-1.05 percent and -0.26 percent, respectively).
• The leaders in the price increase category were in “Sunshine States”—San Francisco (4.87%), San Jose (4.32 percent), Phoenix (3.30 percent), Denver (3.23 percent), and DC (3.04 percent). California markets commonly experience more volatility due to a chronic shortage of housing units.
• The 7-day and 90-day averages are both trending upwards for median prices and inventory. The 7-day trends are the first indication of a shifting market and have been trending upwards for several months.
Utilizing the latest housing market data, Altos Research recently launched the AltosEvaluate Mortgage Analytics Suite. AltosEvaluate delivers forward-looking asset values by modeling real-time local housing data, with leading indicators to forecast transaction prices three, six, or 12 months into the future. The suite is used for RMBS pricing, loan level analysis, pool level analysis, default risk, and fraud detection.
Traditional housing valuations are based on lagging transaction prices. The active market prices contain key indicators showing where property values are headed. Altos is the premier source for active market data and analytics, tracking over 400 metrics in 20,000 zip codes every week. The Forward Valuation Modeling advanced technology platform analyzes the indicators to determine which are most meaningful for future valuations in each local market.
Altos Research, LLC is at the forefront of real-time real estate market research. Founded in 2005, Altos’ pioneering technologies and information products serve investors, derivatives traders, as well as thousands of real estate professionals. The company publishes statistical reports and data analyses each week for over 20,000 zip codes in more than 200 metro markets around the county, including the 20 S&P/Case-Shiller markets summarized in this report.
For more information visit www.altosresearch.com.
