Don't panic; it's July. Winchester-Frederick County, VA Real Estate Market Report

Don't panic; it's July. The Winchester-Frederick County, VA real estate market for July 2017 shows a considerable drop in sales from June 2017. Real estate sales dropped 24%. That might sound worrisome to some, but in reality, it's a seasonal decline that happens year after year.

July of 2016 dropped 9% from June 2016. July of 2015 dropped 23% from June 2015, and July 2014 dropped 37% from June 2014. What causes these mid-year anomalies? Vacations and summer, mostly. Home buyers are less likely to buy a Winchester-Frederick County, VA home in July than most other months. Buyers are on vacation, kids are out of school, and college students are doing what college students do during the summer. You get the point. People are busy and distracted.

Add to those simple things a run up in inventory like the June to July 2014 market and you can see how the numbers shift away from robust sales to the appearance of dismal sales. The reality is, the Winchester-Frederick County, VA real estate market takes a breather for a month, and it begins to pick up again in August as students go back to school and vacations come to an end.

Don't panic; it's July and the numbers are good.

The Winchester-Frederick County, VA real estate market is very healthy at the mid-summer point of 2017. The real value in the current market is seen in where it has been and where it is today. So, don't panic; it's July.

The average sales price of homes sold in the Winchester-Frederick County, VA real estate market have made a steady climb since 2013. There has been a 19% increase in value over those five market years. An average 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home sold for $236,312 in 2013. Today, that same home sells for $289,999.

The days on the market has also declined over the same period. That number hasn't seen the same level of improvement as the sales values, but it's still heading in the right direction. A 2013 sale took an average of 56 days, and a 2017 sale averages 47 days. That's not a huge difference, but it is a 16% improvement. Again, that's a positive change.

The most stunning change over the past five markets is the distressed property sales. This number continues to improve month over month and year over year. The current short sales and foreclosures only account for 1.5% of total sales in July. In 2013, that number was 21% of total sales. That shift alone should give buyers a much greater level of confidence that the value of the property they're buying is the actual value of the property.

Don't panic; it's July and inventory is good.

Sellers are still in a better position in the local market because of the lower inventory, but inventory is climbing. Currently, the inventory stands at 592 available homes with 249 pending sales. The local market is strongest at 500-600 available homes with 550 being the sweet spot. If the inventory increases much beyond 600, the advantage may swing toward buyers, and sales may slow down. Higher inventory equates to more opportunities and that can give buyers the freedom to look at more homes before making a decision.

No matter what data you look at, the Winchester-Frederick County, VA real estate market is strong, healthy and on course for another great year. So, when I say don't panic; it's July, you can take that to the bank. When you're ready to buy or sell a home in Winchester-Frederick County, VA, give your Cornerstone Business Group, Inc., agent a call. We are your local real estate sales pros.

This post was originally posted at www.winchestervarealestate.com: Don't panic; it's July. Winchester-Frederick County, VA Real Estate Market Report. #mikecoopersellshomes, #cornerstonehomesales, #winchesterhomesales, #yourlocalrealestatesalespros.