About 
Summer is in full swing with high temperatures not felt since 2018. As the weather heated up, so did the real estate market after a short pause due to the Coronavirus. As the pandemic spread, Vermont Governor, Phil Scott, issued a “Stay At Home” order in late March. Real estate sales were on hold except for contracts already in the pipeline and ready to close. As the spigot was slowly turned back on, real estate showings resumed on April 20th with restrictions lifting weekly. The most recent change is flexibility in quarantining for out-of-state buyers – who were largely shut out of the Vermont market since March.
| Single Family January-June | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price: | Average Sale Price: | Units Sold: | Newly Listed: | Days on Market: |
| $306,500 +1.2% | $343,202 -0.3% | 878 -13.3% | 1380 -21.1% | 91 +12.4% |
| Condo January-June | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price: | Average Sale Price: | Units Sold: | Newly Listed: | Days on Market: |
| $249,900 +4.1% | $279,854 +4.1% | 300 -9.9% | 401 -5.0% | 59 -25.3% |
| Single Family April-June | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price: | Average Sale Price: | Units Sold: | Newly Listed: | Days on Market: |
| $316,700 0% | $347,860 -1.9% | 500 -24.2% | 848 -26% | 85 +11.8% |
| Condo April-June | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price: | Average Sale Price: | Units Sold: | Newly Listed: | Days on Market: |
| $249,000 +0.6% | $276,673 +0.5% | 153 -30.1% | 217 -19% | 49 -38.8% |
The height of the real estate market is typically in the spring, leading to closings in late spring and early summer. Therefore, we are providing additional data in this mid-year report. Typically, our report would present the statistics from January 1st – June 30th. However, we are including data from the 2nd quarter as well (April 1st- June 30th) to demonstrate the effect that the shutdown had on a market which started quite strong in 2020.
The pandemic has had a massive effect on the economy, but the housing market has not taken a major dive, unlike the Great Recession of 2008, which was largely driven by the housing sector. As sharp and quick as the decline in the market was – the recovery has been nearly as strong. Pent up demand of buyers ready for the spring market – wanting to benefit from historically low mortgage interest rates (briefly falling below 3% for the first time in 50 years)- has resulted in multiple offers on homes within days of hitting the market. Many homes are selling for well above list price – causing lenders, appraisers, buyers, sellers and even real estate agents to wonder where the “top” of the market will be. A real estate purchase or sale should be contemplated based upon your own needs and financial objectives. Attempting to “time” the market is simply impossible and will result in frustration and missed opportunities.
Other indications of strong demand include online search activity. Search traffic to HickokandBoardman.com remained strong, throughout the pandemic, with over 200,000 visits for property in Chittenden, Addison, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties. Out-of-state traffic, perhaps driven by the desire to relocate to a more rural market, accounts for roughly 45% of overall traffic. We are seeing a significant increase in web traffic from prospective out-of-state buyers from Massachusetts, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and California.
Some Economists, nationally, caution that prices may fall later this year as the effects of unemployment and foreclosures weigh down the market. Homeowners, who opted to postpone mortgage and loan payments during the peak of the pandemic, are now receiving notices that their deferred payments are due. Locally, supply & demand may sustain price growth. Our area is not oversupplied, and the pipeline of new, affordably priced homes coming on the market is not enough to satisfy buyers. An experienced Chittenden County appraiser reported that he is factoring in an appreciation of 4-4.5% when calculating the market value of purchase and refinanced properties.
As we have reported for the past two years, a lack of inventory in homes for sale remains a challenge; decreasing over the past three months as sellers were hesitant to allow buyers inside. Seller confidence should improve as Vermont ranks top in the nation for management of the virus. With years of price growth in northwest Vermont and scheduled showings of well- qualified buyers rising dramatically (according to ShowingTime) – sellers can reap the benefits of their strong equity position. Getting on the market now is important to balance the real estate market.
Hunkering down in our homes has caused us to reflect on what we need for comfort and safety. Do we need a home office, more space for family, less indoor space and more outdoor living space? No doubt these discoveries will shape the direction of buyers, sellers and homeowners going forward. It has been reported that home improvement purchases have spiked during this pandemic – as many have the time and attention to devote to enhancements to living spaces. Never more than now, do we appreciate what home means to all of us.
Buyers acted quickly when the right property caught their eye resulting in only 42 days on the market (DOM) – the number of days from list to contract; the lowest we’ve seen in many years. In some key price points and locations, the “DOM” is in the single digits.
As travel restrictions for out of state buyers loosen, sales of homes, including lakefront property in Addison County, should recover. Historically, the area accounts for 12-15% of the luxury home sales in northwest Vermont.
The luxury market (defined in this report as residential sales priced $850,000 and greater) has been affected by economic conditions as well as out of state travel restrictions due to COVID-19. The number of sales declined by 48% over the same period last year and are slightly lower than 2018 levels. The median price increased by 8%, likely a result of the small number of sales as opposed to price appreciation. 
14 of the 15 luxury home sales were in Chittenden County, with no luxury sales in Grand Isle County through June. Now that out of state buyers have more flexibility in traveling to Vermont (with home state quarantine allowed), we expect luxury sales in neighboring counties to increase. Nationally, the luxury market has slowed, but Vermont remains one of the most affordable luxury home markets in New England. With proximity to Boston and New York, plus an international airport, buyers able to work remotely while seeking safety from the crowds of more populated markets, and can find many options in northwest Vermont.
Residential real estate transactions have a longer lead time than most consumer purchases. These transactions close, on average, 45-60 days from the time of contract. Therefore, results in this 1st quarter market report – with sales closed by March 31st – reflect business efforts from the 4th quarter of 2019 through January of this year.
We cannot predict how long we will be sheltering in place or how deep the impact will be prior to working our way out of this. We do believe that this time, housing is poised to be part of the solution.