In July, the Cass County housing market sales dropped 58 percent in overall sales of all housing types due to a 79 percent decrease in sales of waterfront houses.
The overall number of houses sold in July 2021 was 44 compared to 105 in July 2020. Sales of waterfront homes decreased by 34 houses (9 vs. 43). Non-waterfront house sales increased by 25 percent (35 vs. 28).
The overall average selling price in July 2021 decreased 3 percent to $272,980 from $282,363 in July 2020. The overall median selling price in July at $198,500 increased 10 percent from $180,000.
The average selling price for waterfront homes increased 38 percent to $584,211 from $423,635 in July 2020. The median selling price for waterfront homes fell 28 percent ($213,900 vs. $298,700).
In July, the average selling price for non-waterfront houses slipped 2 percent to $192,949 from $196,407 in July 2020. The median selling price jumped 9 percent to $170,000 from $155,500 in July 2020.
The median price is the price at which 50% of the homes sold were above that price, and 50% were below.
There was one house included in the bank-owned or foreclosed as a part of all closed transactions in June for 2 percent of all transactions. The same percentage occurred in June. The highest percentage in July previously was 16 percent in 2016.
For comparison, the number of bank-owned or foreclosed homes as a percentage of all transactions in Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and the westerly 2/3 of Van Buren Counties stayed at 1 percent in July, which it was in June and May. This was the lowest percentage in 2021. In January, the rate was 4 percent. The previous lowest percentage in July was 1 percent in 2020. The highest percentage in July was 35 percent in 2009.
Across all of the SWMI, the housing market sales dropped 19 percent behind from a year ago while the selling prices increased and set records when compared to previous years. The robust market continued even with a 37 percent drop in inventory of houses for sale.
In July, at 388, the number of houses sold fell 19 percent below the 479 houses sold in July 2020. Year-to-date, the number of houses sold at the end of July was 2132, up 22 percent over July 2020 (2132 vs.1748). This notched a new sales record in the year-over-year sales records since 2006.
Selling prices continued to set new record levels each month in 2021. The average selling price in July 2021 was $351,131 compared to $337,697 in July 2020, for a 4 percent increase. Year-to-date selling prices at the end of July also set records in the year-over-year comparison. The year-to-date average selling price in July 2021 rose 19 percent over July 2020 ($321,074 vs. $268,934).
The median selling price in July 2021 increased 5 percent to $240,500 from $230,000 in July 2020. Year-to-date, the median selling price climbed 13 percent ($225,000 vs. $200,000). The median selling price and year-to-date median selling price also set new record prices in the month of July in the year-over-year comparison.
The total dollar volume dropped 16 percent in July 2021 ($136,238,880 vs.161,759,996). Due to the number of sales at higher prices, the year-to-date total dollar volume set new records for the dollar volume at the end of July ($684,530,317 vs.$470,098,082). The year-to-date total dollar volume rose 46 percent.
The inventory of houses for sale plummeted 37 percent from a year ago (889 vs. 1399), bringing the inventory of houses for sale to a 3.1-months supply of inventory available for buyers. This is the highest inventory level this year. At the end of July 2020, the market had a 6.6-months supply of houses for sale. For comparison, in July 2009, there were 3661 houses for sale and an 18.1-months supply of inventory.
This data reflects home sales across Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and the westerly 2/3 of Van Buren counties and should not be used to determine the market value of any individual property. If you want to know the market value of your property, please contact your local REALTOR®.
When Selling a Home…
Home pricing is more of a science than an art, but many homeowners price with their heartstrings instead of cold, hard data. Smart sellers know that crunching the numbers is always the better route to an accurate home price. Here’s how they do it. The number one rule is to avoid overpricing. If you start high, yes, you can always lower your price, but you take a chance at losing potential buyers because it was out of their budget, and your house may remain on the market for months keeping you from moving to a new home or facing the risk of having two mortgages.
The second rule is to work with a REALTOR® who has access to current market data for pricing your home for sale. Do not rely on online tools to determine your home’s market value. Once on the market, you will know that your house price is right or needs to be adjusted based on the number of showings and offers. Your REALTOR® is your best advisor and a good resource for feedback from potential buyers.
When Buying a Home…
Most people have deeply personal reasons for wanting to buy a home. Maybe it’s the bathroom that feels like a dreamy, modern spa. Your lender doesn’t care about what you like in a house. Their only concern is that the house you buy is worth as much as the value of your mortgage. For that reason, a home must be valued at, or above, the agreed-upon purchase price, and this has to happen before you can close on a house.
After you sign a home purchase agreement, the home you’re buying must pass an appraisal — an assessment of the property’s value by an unbiased third party: the appraiser. They don’t represent you or the seller; instead, this person is a contractor chosen by your lender through an appraisal management company. The home buyer is responsible for paying for the appraisal, and the fee is typically wrapped into your closing costs and ranges from $300-$400. When the appraisal is finished, the appraiser issues a written report with their opinion of the value of the home. Whatever the outcome of the appraisal, your REALTOR® will be there to offer recommendations about how to proceed.
To view properties that are for sale in your local area, go to www.swmar.com, and click on “Search”. The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS®, Inc. is a professional trade association for real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®, and ancillary service providers for the real estate industry in Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. The Association can be contacted at 269-983-6375 or through their website at www.swmar.com.
The Housing Market in South Haven 49090 and SWMI
