Metro Milwaukee MLS year to date statistics through March are in. MLS-wide, sales are down 4.5% YTD from last year. This is no surprise – last year at this time, there was a tax credit incentive for homebuyers which boosted sales.
However, 2011 compares well to 2009 statistics. At this time in 2009, there was no tax incentive to push the statistics up. This is more of an apples-to-apples comparison on how sales this year are faring. Take a look… (source Metro MLS)
| Metro MLS Residential Sales | |||||
| Sold 2009 | Sold 2010 | Sold 2011 | 2009 vs 2011 | 2010 vs 2011 | |
| January | 545 | 558 | 658 | 20.7% | 17.9% |
| February | 712 | 701 | 661 | -7.2% | -5.7% |
| March | 986 | 1186 | 1009 | 2.3% | -14.9% |
| YTD totals | 2243 | 2445 | 2328 | 3.8% | -4.8% |
Sales in the first quarter of 2011 have beaten sales in the first quarter of 2009 by 3.8%. (And a difference of just -4.8% between last year is not too disheartening.)
Another trend to notice is that new residential listings are down pretty significantly across the MLS. At this time last year, buyers had 9158 homes to choose from in the metro MLS coverage area. In 2009, they had 8014. In 2011, they have 7095 to choose from MLS wide.
A smaller supply of homes is a step toward a seller’s market. Sellers, price aggressively to sell quickly and move on with your life – to a new home yourself in this very affordable time. Buyers, get in to a lender to see what you can afford to take advantage of the buying opportunity and get the place you’ve always wanted. Your money can buy more now.
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