Experts predicted that home values would fall in October, however not as much as reported Tuesday. Not since Dec. 2009 had the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index reported a more significant year-to-year decline. The numbers portend a double-dip within the real estate markets, analysts say, brought on largely by the discontinuation of the homebuyer tax credit last summer.
Exactly what you should learn about the Case-Shiller home price index
In October month-to-month home prices fell in 18 of 20 markets surveyed by the Case-Shiller home price index. A bad September would means a flat October as outlined by real estate industry experts. Last summer when the homebuyer tax credit ended, the decline in value was harder than many though it would be. Home prices in the 20 markets fell 1.3 percent from Sept to October, an annualized decline of 15 percent. Atlanta was hit hardest with a 2.1 percent drop in home values. All time lows since the sector collapsed in 2007 was hit by five other markets including Charlotte, N.C, Miami, Portland, OR, Seattle and Tampa, Fla.
Housing sector double-dip
The opinion of the chairman of the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index was given. He said the double dip in the real estate sector that has been warned about may be happening very soon. Since the peak in July 2006, home prices have dropped 30 percent in October. A backlog of foreclosures waiting within the wings will continue downward pressure on home values in 2011. You will find more homes for sale too. Just since December 2009, there has been a 50 percent increase. Several hope that the housing market will recover. Millions of homeowners are waiting for it.
Real estate industry in 2011 may be good or bad
The sustained decline in home values is bad news for Realtors. However, news about a real estate market double-dip is good news for homebuyers. Since homebuyers are waiting for the housing industry to bottom out, there has been a 25 percent decrease from Dec. 2009 of homes being bought as outlined by the Case Shiller home price index. It isn’t all good news. A catch is there. High joblessness and low consumer confidence is shown with the depressed housing industry which means economic recovery will take longer. Home prices will likely go down as much as 3 percent in 2011 even though many economists are optimistic about 2011.
Citations
Bloomberg
bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-28/u-s-property-values-decline-more-than-forecast-in-s-p-case-shiller-index.html
CNN Money
money.cnn.com/2010/12/28/real_estate/home_prices_fall/?npt=NP1
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513204576047491075731426.html?mod=googlenews_wsj