June housing figures up in Kansas City.

[Nick Gromicko]

June housing figures cast hope that the worst is over
By KEVIN COLLISON
The Kansas City Star

Surprising numbers on new home sales — both nationally and in Kansas City — opened the door to talk Monday that the housing market is finally beginning to gain strength.

Nationally, new home sales surged 11 percent in June when compared with May, the U.S. Commerce Department said. That was the biggest monthly jump in eight years and far surpassed predictions.

“The worst of the housing recession is now behind us,” said David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities. As with the overall economy, the “recovery” is likely to be slow and arduous, he said.

Kansas City real estate professionals reported a 10 percent increase, and a 76 percent rise from January, which now appears to be when home sales hit their worst level in the current crisis.

“For a change, we’re right on track with the national statistics,” said Chris Collins, president of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors.

Economists said the nationwide increase was spurred by a drop in prices and a rush by consumers to take advantage of a new first-time homebuyers’ federal tax credit.

The national median price of a new home fell 12 percent to $206,200 when compared with June 2008, the Commerce Department said. The median price was $219,000 in May.

In Kansas City, however, prices remained relatively stable. The Realtors association reports average rather than median prices, and it said prices were up 4 percent from June 2008, to $302,628.

Nationwide, sales increased to a 384,000 annual pace, higher than any forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and the most since November, the Commerce Department figures showed.

Economists forecast that new home sales would rise to a 352,000 annual pace, according to the median of 62 projections conducted by Bloomberg.

The number of houses on the market dropped to the lowest level in more than a decade.

In Kansas City, “people are reacting to the fact that interest rates are still historically low and it presents a great opportunity, particularly with new construction,” Collins said. “With prices also stabilizing, people think, ‘Wow, maybe this is the bottom.’ ”

Another factor encouraging people to buy was a federal tax credit that covers 10 percent of the home price, or up to $8,000, for first-time buyers. Home sales need to be completed by the end of November for buyers to take advantage.

Despite the encouraging monthly increase, new home sales continued to lag behind those of a year ago, both nationally and locally. The national sales pace was down 21 percent from June 2008, and the Kansas City pace was down 26 percent from a year ago.

There were 251 new homes sold in June in Kansas City, compared with 229 the previous month, according to the Realtors association. The 10 percent increase was marked improvement from last year, when June sales declined 3 percent from the previous month.

“The May-to-June jump is definitely better than the last couple of years,” said Catherine Thomson, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City association.

Local homebuilders were heartened by the improved sales pace and the continuing decline in the inventory of new homes. In June, 2,586 new homes were on the market, down from 2,667 in May and 34 percent lower than a year ago, when 3,910 new homes were for sale.

“Everyone feels it’s going in the right direction,” said Tim Underwood, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.

[James H. Bushart]

The bad news is that the larger brokers in KC have realized how their new law has placed upon the home inspector the need to cover his rear end in every observation in his report, having shifte their liability on to him.

Every sign of moisture must also reference the possibility of mold....etc.

As a result, the major brokers in KC are no longer recommending home inspections. Their brochure tells their clients to consult with plumbing contractors over questions regarding the plumbing system, etc.....

Their actions, regarding the unnecessary and poorly written law, has harmed their entire industry.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Now new truth and lending laws will take effect July 30, 2009. Appraisers will no longer be able to communicate with agents or lenders. Paperwork will take longer to process. Agents have been advised to allow at least 30 days for a loan approval and closing process. Mortgage fraud is rampant. Agents are selling foreclosures as is, with no inspections.

KAR, and the NAR where whiners. Now, they all have to deal with what they wanted; poor home sales, and lack of trust with home buyers. Home sales here in KC where over 3,000 last July; this July 251. Agents, brokers better wake up to the facts. They all got what they wanted. These are the results. Kansas home inspection laws will only hurt the agents and their home sales. Buyer trust is gone in the real estate industry, the same as autos, financial, etc. It may take years to get things back they way they were.

[Patrick Carter]

I just love the way the KC Star and its bigoted slant towards Realtors know how to doctor the facts to make it believable that our economy is really improving, my oldest son who is in construction as a project manager was just laid off Friday in KC, the company is closing up its doors and 75 years in business, my son worked for them for over 15 years after college..........general contractors and claims are not paying thier bills and/or filling bankruptcy......... Way to Go KC Star, print that truth....lieing sacks of sh*t......................