About Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty

	Median Sale Price	Average Sale Price	Units Sold	Newly Listed	Days on Market
Single-Family	$289,950 (5.4%)	$322,081 (3.5%)	1,726 (0.8%)	2,654 (-1.2%)	89 (-8.3%)
Condos	$226,000 (-1.3%)	$256,243 (-0.7%)	561 (7.7%)	744 (13.1%)	70 (-21.4%)

Leaves fall from the trees, boats come out of the lakes, and hunters head for the woods. Welcome to fall in northwest Vermont, and welcome to our Fall 2018 Market Report, January – September 2018.

Each quarter, we combine the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data with the expertise of our agents to offer a recap of real estate activity and trends in the 4 counties of northwest Vermont: Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle.

Our skilled REALTORS can help you with more specific price points in certain cities and towns. Given our market leading position, we are committed to providing unparalleled service to our clients.

The data through the end of the 3rd quarter is significant in that it includes closed sales for the busiest segment of the year. Traditionally, the “height of the market” is considered late spring through summer. The ongoing story in the national and regional market is the contraction of inventory for sale, so it is remarkable that closed sales through the 3rd quarter faired as well as they did. Closed sales of Single-Family homes remain flat across the region while sales of condos, land and multi-family properties show healthy increases over the same period last year. The median price of sold, single family homes continues to rise while prices of Multi-Family homes surged as investors clamor for properties in a tight market.

With mortgage interest rates increasing recently – and additional increases expected, sellers and buyers would be wise to stay in the market during the 4th quarter of 2018 and 1st quarter of 2019, while properties may be in the most demand and at their most affordable.

Single Family
Median Sale Price:	Average Sale Price:	Units Sold:	Newly Listed:	Days on Market:
$224,000 (-3.0%)	$254,258 (-2.0%)	353 (+12.4%)	507 (+21.3%)	72 (-21.3%)

Condo
Median Sale Price:	Average Sale Price:	Units Sold:	Newly Listed:	Days on Market:
$227,500 (+3.4%)	$256,259 (+4.0%)	705 (-3.0%)	798 (-3.0%)	82 (+7.9%)

The Mid-Year point is an important milestone for real estate trends, especially in northwest Vermont. We are in the midst of the traditional “height of the market.” Closings on real estate sales surge in June, July, and August in between the school year, vacations, holidays – with new household formation and other life events that typically drive the market. Our Mid-Year report recaps the inventory and sales of property during the 1st six months – and provides a snapshot of trends we may see in the Fall of 2018.

The number of properties sold, across all categories including single family, condos, multi-family, land and luxury properties, in northwest Vermont increased over the 1st half of 2017. This positive trend reflects strong buyer demand and is a welcomed sign after a moderate, but long-term decline in unit sales. The median and average sale prices continued to rise for single family, multi-family and land sales. Single-family unit sales were up 2.1% over 2017 in the first half. Newly listed properties declined by 6.7%. While inventory levels are still at near record lows, the 2nd quarter showed some moderate improvement.

Condominiums remain a popular choice, often for ease of maintenance and affordability. Newly listed condominiums were up 21.3% year to date with 507 listings. This helped spur a 12.4% increase in sales in the first half of 2018. The median and average sale prices had slight declines at 3.0 and 2.0% respectively.

Days on market dropped to 99 days in the single-family market, down 4.8% from last year and condominiums declined by 21.3% to 72 days on market. Chittenden County is reflecting a 3 months supply on hand in single family and condominiums. A balanced market is considered 5-6 months supply.

Our Vermont market reflects the current national trend of low inventory levels. Lawrence Yun, Chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says a solid economy and job market should be generating a much stronger sales pace than what has been seen so far this year across the country.

Rising mortgage rates are also a factor. “This year we saw a move up in mortgage rates, from 4 to 4.5%, which increased the urgency of some buyers to purchase. Combined with limited inventory, a tight rental market, and an uptick in economic activity, we saw increased competition in the first time home buyer/affordable price range. Even with credit standards loosening to encourage more activity these other factors are stretching the budgets of some prospective buyers. Mortgage industry experts say that providing credit is not the problem but rather the current supply of housing not meeting the demand,” says Ranjit “Buddy “ Singh of Spruce Mortgage in Burlington.

Our sales associates have seen continued strong buyer demand, especially in price segments below $350,000. Often these buyers are facing competing offers made on new listings resulting in purchases above asking price, waived inspections, substantial deposits or even cash sales. Some sellers are identifying new properties prior to committing their property to sale and making the successful next purchase a contingency of the sale of their existing property. Timing and coordination are key, and your Realtor can be of great assistance in a tight market.

New housing development in our region, although limited, is a very welcome addition to our market and has given some relief in a few market segments. We expect the current market conditions to continue throughout the 2nd half of 2018.