THE REAL ESTATE Insider
HOUSING MARKET PICKS UP
Gerry O’Brien, H&N Editor, Herald And News
The February and March housing
starts and sales were a bit soft in
Klamath Falls, which is not unusual
as homes don’t sell as well in the
winter months.
But things are picking up in April,
according to Bill Haskins, principal
broker and president of Coldwell
Banker Holman Premier Realty.
Haskins compiles a
monthly statistical
review
of
the
market used for the
H&N
economic
indicators.
The
numbers are current
as of April 9.
“There’s about 50
more homes that
have come on the
market in April
since March’s total of
495,” Haskins said.
That still represents
a tight housing
market, which is
good for sellers.
“And, most of the contractors I know
are building one or two homes and
have them under contract already,”
he said.
New housing starts
According to Stephanie Brown,
manager of Klamath County
Community Development who
monitors building permits, there
were 14 more single family homes
built from July to March than the
same period in the previous year.
“There is a 92 percent increase in
valuations tied to those permits this
year,” she reported.
The 2013-2014 building permit
valuation is $11.5 million from July
to March compared to $6 million for
the same period last year.
median or middle range of all sales
is $125,950.
The new Pheasant Run subdivision
off Homedale Road and Amberview
Lane recently had a tour of new homes
built by Bend contractor Pahlisch
Homes. It’s a significant boost of
new homes for the community, and
several are under contract for sale,
“People are pushing the value of
their homes a little bit to see what
the market is, and that’s OK,” said
Haskins.
too, Haskins said. About 40 people
toured the homes recently, so the
interest is there. (Pahlisch is offering
an open house viewing every
Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4
p.m.)
Average prices up
For March, 54 homes sold in the
Basin compared to 45 a year ago.
Pending sales total 123 compared to
119 a year ago.
While the average days on the
market is up to 158 compared to
108 last year, sellers and buyers are
fairly close to what each wants in
the market. The average sales price
year to date is $141,117 — up about
$12,000 over last year — while the
The type of homebuyer runs the
gamut, from retirees moving to
the area, to first-time
homebuyers, to upscale
professionals, he said.
“It’s a good time to buy
since rates are around
4.25 percent, depending
on credit score — and
we’re seeing quite a
few USDA loans for
first-time buyers,” he
said. A family of four
qualifies for the loan —
which waives the down
payment — if they earn
$74,750 per year or less.
For a family of five, the
limit is $98,650.
Year to date, there have been 148
homes sold, only two less than last
year.
“So we’re holding steady compared
to last year,” Haskins said.
gobr i e n @ he r a l d and ne w s . c om ;
@Gerry_Obrien1
http://bit.ly/1m4e05u