Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market October 3, 2023

Cranford’s September Real Estate Market: Lean Inventory and Shifting Trends

Lean Inventory Persists

The Cranford real estate market in September continued to be defined by its lean inventory, with only 12 homes sold during the month. This marked a 48% decrease compared to August and a 29% decline from the same period last year. The scarcity of available properties has been a recurring theme, challenging both buyers and sellers in the market.

Fluctuations in Sales Prices

After months of witnessing an upward trajectory in sales prices, September saw a notable shift. The average sales price dropped to $600,181, representing a significant 22% decrease from August. This decline was steeper than the typical seasonal drop-off as we transition into the fall months, and it was 16% lower compared to September 2022. While this may seem like a setback, it’s essential to consider the larger context of the market.

Sales Price/List Price Ratio

The Sales Price/List Price ratio, a key indicator of market competitiveness, fell to 101.03% in September. This means that, on average, homes were sold for just over 1% above their list price. While this figure was lower than the year-to-date trend of 104.8%, it was consistent with September figures from the previous year. This suggests that the market remains resilient, with buyers willing to pay above the list price for the right properties.

Competitively Priced Homes Still in Demand

Despite the apparent softening of some market metrics, competitively priced homes continued to be in high demand. During September, 13 homes went under contract in an average of only 14 days, with an average list price of $735,831. This demonstrates that well-priced properties are selling swiftly and often for significantly more than their list price, highlighting the importance of strategic pricing for sellers.

Increase in New Listings

In a positive turn, there were 22 new listings put on the market in September, representing an 83% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge in new listings may provide some relief to buyers actively seeking properties in Cranford.

Conclusion

September’s real estate market in Cranford, NJ, was characterized by continued lean inventory and fluctuations in sales prices. While the average sales price saw a significant drop, it’s essential to consider the broader market dynamics. Well-priced homes continue to be sought after, and buyers are willing to pay above list price for properties that meet their criteria. With an increase in new listings, there is hope that the market will see some alleviation in the supply-demand imbalance. As we move forward, it will be interesting to observe how these trends evolve and if inventory levels can rebound in the coming months.

Cranford NJ News September 29, 2023

Get to Know the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield in Cranford: Community Impact, the Jumble Store, and Membership Perks

Nestled in Downtown Cranford, you’ll find the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield (JLEP) quietly making a positive impact in local communites.  In this blog post, we’ll give you the lowdown on JLEP, their community work, the Jumble Store, and why joining them during their current membership drive might just be the community involvement you’ve been looking for. 

Serving the Towns from Elizabeth to Plainfield

The Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  They serve the communities from Elizabeth to Plainfield by teaming up with community partners to amplify their impact. Local partners include Cranford Family Care, Boys and Girls Club of Union County and Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, just to name a few. 

The Jumble Store: More Than Thrift

Cranford’s not-so-hidden gem, the Jumble Store, isn’t your average thrift shop.  This year is the store’s 90th anniversary serving the community.  In addition to having a great assortment of clothing and household items (all proceeds go to JLEP), the Jumble Store is also home to the Career Closet, a fantastic initiative that helps individuals, particularly women, dress for success by providing professional attire for interviews and job opportunities.  See the JLEP website for the Jumble Store’s hours and information on donations. 

Current Membership Drive

The Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield is in the midst of a membership drive, and they’re calling on women who have a soft spot for community service and personal growth. Becoming a member is a great opportunity to dive into meaningful projects that directly benefit the local community.  JLEP knows how to balance work and play. They host an array of social events like a monthly book club, a cookie swap and even yoga events that allow fellow members to connect and build lasting relationships.  There are also numerous committees, which are where the real action happens. If you’re passionate about a particular cause, there’s likely a committee ready for your input and enthusiasm and a chance to gain valuable leadership skills and experience. 

JLEP Members at the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation backpack drive

Conclusion

The Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield in Cranford is all about rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. With their broad community reach, partnerships, the Jumble Store (with its invaluable Career Closet), and the perks of membership during their current drive, JLEP offers a practical and fulfilling way to make a difference in your community. If you’re a woman looking for a down-to-earth opportunity to give back and grow, consider joining JLEP today. If you are interested in learning more, they are having a coffee meet-up for any interested new members on Wed Oct 18th at 9A – Starbucks, 200 South Ave in Cranford. Together, you can create positive change that truly matters.

Local Real Estate Market September 6, 2023

Hot August Real Estate Market for Single Family Homes in Union County, NJ

The real estate market for single family homes in Union County, New Jersey, has been red-hot this August.  With soaring prices and short time on the market, it remains a persistent seller’s market. In this blog post, we’ll highlight the key statistics that have made it an exceptional month for both buyers and sellers.

Average Sales Price: A Remarkable Surge for Single Family Homes

One of the most striking statistics in the August real estate market report for single family homes is the average sales price, which stood at a substantial $812,612. This figure represents a remarkable 14% increase compared to the previous August, indicating significant appreciation in the value of single family homes over the past year. This surge in prices is undoubtedly good news for homeowners, as it reflects the high demand for homes in this area.

Sales Price vs. List Price Ratio: Favoring Sellers of Single Family Homes

Sellers continue to reap the benefits of this market. The sales price vs. list price ratio reached an impressive 106%, signifying that, on average, single family homes were selling for 6% above their listed prices. This competitive ratio indicates that buyers were willing to pay a premium for  properties in this area.

Average Days on Market: A Quick Turnaround for Single Family Homes

Single family homes in Union County didn’t stay on the market for long in August. The average days on market (DOM) was a mere 23 days. This illustrates the high demand and swift turnover in the real estate market.  This low DOM is particularly advantageous for sellers as it minimizes the inconvenience of extended listing periods and maximizes the chances of achieving favorable sales prices.

Inventory Levels: A Seller’s Market Persists for Single Family Homes

Despite the surge in demand and rising prices for single family homes, inventory levels in Union County, NJ, remain remarkably low. The market reported only 1.16 months of supply of inventory for single family homes, firmly establishing it as a seller’s market. With limited available homes for buyers to choose from, competition remains fierce, further driving up prices and favoring sellers in negotiations.

Conclusion

August was an exceptional month for the real estate market for single family homes in Union County, New Jersey. The statistics paint a compelling picture of rising home prices, competitive bidding, and rapid transactions. With an average sales price of $812,612 (up 14% from the previous year), a sales price vs. list price ratio of 106%, an average days on market of just 23 days, and inventory levels at 1.16 months of supply for single family homes, it’s clear that the real estate market for single family properties in Union County continues to be a seller’s dream.

If you’re considering buying or selling a single family home in Union County, now is an excellent time to take action. However, it’s essential to work with an experienced real estate agent who specializes in this area and can navigate the intricacies of this competitive market. With the right guidance, you can make the most of the current conditions and achieve your real estate goals for single family homes in Union County, NJ.  Let’s connect!

For regular market updates, follow Brooke Filosa, NJ Property experts on Facebook.

Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market August 2, 2023

July 2023 Cranford Market Update

Home prices continued to rise in Cranford for the month of July, coming in at $691K which was 15% higher than last July.  This price growth is really driven by continued low inventory.   Twenty three homes sold in the month  and only twenty one new homes were listed for sale which was -28% to last year.  

Home Sales Highlights

This year, there have been more homes sell in the million dollar price range than in previous years.  This trend continued with two homes selling for over $1M this month for the month.   Home are also selling quickly and for significantly over list price.  The average home sold for 7% over list price and in only 18 Days.  We are in Summer peak which is when we typically see prices at the high for the year but this continued year over year growth is pretty crazy.  As long as inventory remains so lean, it will most likely not slow down.  If you are thinking about listing or curious what your home is worth in this market, let’s connect!

To watch my previous market updates, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market July 9, 2023

The June 2023 Real Estate Market in Cranford NJ

The Real Estate Market in Cranford is hitting Summer Peak with continued strong numbers for June.   Twenty eight homes sold in Cranford in June, which was 86% more than the previous month’s trend.  Prices continue to rise and homes continue to sell in record time for significantly over List Price, driven by continued lean inventory.  The average sales price for the month jumped to $771K which was +15% to May and +9% to last June.

The Sales Price vs List price ratio was 108%.  This means that homes sold, on average, for 8% over list price which is in line with last year and last month. Homes are also selling very quickly, in an average of only 13 days. 

We continue to see more homes selling for over a Million dollars with four selling this month.  Another notable home sale was 9 Pittsfield which sold for $200K over list price at $999,000. There were multiple other homes that sold for more that $100K over list price.

There are no signs of this market slowing down anytime soon. As long as inventory remains lean, home prices will continue to rise which is a huge opportunity for Sellers.  If you are interested in learning what your home may be worth in today’s market, let’s connectI would be happy to provide you with a complimentary CMA.

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Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market June 2, 2023

May 2023 Real Estate Market update for Cranford NJ

 

The Real estate Market really turned on in Cranford for the month of May.  18 homes sold for the month which was which the highest number of homes sold in a month since last November and a significant jump from April when only 10 homes sold for the month.

Sale Price vs List Price Continues to Rise

The average sales price for the month jumped to $669K and, even more notably, the Sale Price vs List Price Ratio jumped to 108%. This means, that, on average, homes sold for more than 8% over list price. Homes are also selling very quickly, in an average of only 17 days. The trend of homes selling very quickly and for significantly overly list price is driven by continued lean inventory. For the month we only had 1.17 months supply of inventory.  This means that if no additional homes are listed for sale, we will run out of inventory in a little over a month. The Sale vs List Price trend is very much in line with what we saw last year when this number ramped up started in January and peaked in June.

Notable Home Sales

There were some very impressive home sales for the month with the majority of homes selling for over List Price with some as high as 33% over list price! The Sales prices for 45 Wadworth and 314 Claremont are quite impressive at over $900K for 3 bedroom homes. There were also 2 homes on James Street that sold for over 1 Million dollars.

Strong Seller’s Market

With continued lean inventory and home prices continuing to rise, there continues to be huge opportunity for Sellers in this Market. If you have any questions about the above or are interested in learning what your home may be worth in today’s market, don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to provide you with a complimentary CMA.

Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market May 19, 2023

Should I Stay or Should I go? Exciting Partnership & Giveaway!

If your current home isn’t working for you, but you aren’t sure you want to move, this one is for you! I’m excited to announce that I’m partnering with the  fabulous Evan Hooper of EH Interiors to offer a free Home Design & Valuation Experience to one lucky winner.  Evan will try to convince you to STAY by offering up design solutions while I’ll convince you to GO by showing you how much your home is worth and how much money you can make.  What you’ll win:

  • In-person design consultation to review your current situation & challenges 
  • 3D Design Rendering of potential updates you can make to one room in your home if you decide to STAY
  • Comparative Market Analysis of your home’s value & overview of the current local market conditions
  • View of current housing inventory if you decide you want to GO

Enter to win now at https://tinyurl.com/stayORgoNJ. Enter by June 2. 

Cranford NJ NewsLocal Real Estate Market May 2, 2023

Spring Real Estate Market Update: March & April Cranford NJ

Have you heard of “Mapril?” In the Retail world, companies often look at March and April combined numbers to get a true sense of what is going on for business during that time period since the movement of Easter & Passover year over year can really impact business. The same can be said for Real Estate where Spring Break shifts can impact home sales activity, so here is my Mapril Real Estate Market recap!

We definitely saw the Spring Market turn on with housing inventory rising and more homes going under contract. Home prices continue to rise and homes continue to sell for significantly over list price. But inventory still remains very lean overall, with the number of homes sold -44%.

Low Inventory means that it’s a competitive Seller’s Market out there! The average home is selling for 4.57% over list price with some properties going for significantly more than that. Many people predicted that we would not see this kind of activity in the market again this year but it’s happening! Last year, the Sales/List Price ratio peaked in June. April 23 came in slightly below April 22 but overall seeing a similar trajectory that we saw last year.

Homes Sold in March & April

There were certainly some impressive home sales over the past couple of months. Below, I’ve highlighted the homes that sold for significantly over list price with some homes going for as much as 15-22% over! We are also starting to see more and more homes priced over $1M. The sale of 26 Beech at $1.326M is quite notable!

There are currently 15 homes for sale in town  and 3 of them are listed for over $1.2M.  There are no homes listed in the $600-700K price point which tends to be a sweet spot.   This unprecedented Market is a great opportunity for homeowners who have been thinking about selling to pull the trigger.   The market generally peaks in the Summer so it is not too late to take advantage of this time to cash out on their equity.   

Local Real Estate Market February 1, 2023

Real Estate Market in Cranford NJ: January 2023

Real Estate Market in Cranford NJ: January 2023

The Real Estate Market in Cranford NJ started to pick up in the month of January.   The Average Sale price was $574K which was +6% to December.  Homes continued to sell above list price, with the average sales price going for about 2% over.  This is a softer than the peak in the middle of last year but some homes are still selling for significantly over asking.  Two homes in town sold for 10% and 14% over list price, respectively, and both sold in less than ten days. 

Part of the reason we are still seeing high prices is that inventory remains very lean.  There were only 9 homes sold for the month which was -18% to last year -40% to December.  On a positive note, new listings picked up from December with 12 new homes listed which is +50% to Dec but still down to last year and very low historically.   New listings are also selling quickly.  Seven of the new listings for the month already went under contract in an average of twelve days.  The remaining five new listings have only been on the market for less than a week and will likely go quickly. 

For home owners that have been considering selling their homes, now is a fantastic time to list!   Buyers are hungry for options and homes are selling quickly.  Traffic was extremely high at Open Houses last week and there were definitely some bidding wars.  Although this may seem intimidating to Buyers, there are many things they can do to stay competitive.  I am very tuned in to the local market and keep a close pules on the latest trends so they I can help to guide and advise my clients. 

Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll continue to keep you updated on the Real Estate Market in Cranford.  

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Local Real Estate Market January 2, 2023

Real Estate Market Year in Review: Union County, NJ

The 2022 Real Estate Market was definitely one for the record books.   Coming off a pandemic-fueled boom in 2021, many early predictions were that prices would fall and the market would stabilize a bit.  Instead,  continued low inventory coupled with dramatically rising mortgage rates resulted in a roller coaster of a year.  Below are some of the highlights of the Real Estate Market in Union County, NJ in 2022.

Home Prices Rose to All-Time Highs

The average sales price in Union County, NJ rose to $616,533 in 2022 which was an increase of 7.9% over 2021.  This peaked at $710,161 in June, then dropped off towards the end of the year. Even with the slight drop, prices remained above pre-pandemic numbers.  Homes also continued to sell over list price, going for an average of 103.08% of list price.  This peaked at 106.29% in May, then fell off during the back half of the year.  In spite of the slight drop off, the overall local real estate market remains incredibly strong. Well-priced properties entering the market are selling within days and some are still receiving multiple bids.  On the flip side, many of the limited number of properties for sale have accumulated a substantial number of days on the market.  They were not properly priced to begin with so when they do eventually sell, it is for below list price. 

 

Average & Median Home Sales Price

Average & Median Homes Sales Price in Union County NJ

Housing Inventory hit Records Lows

The primary reason homes prices rose in 2022 is that inventory remained very lean.  It is simply the law of supply and demand.  There were only 6,427 homes available for sale in 2022 which was 32% less than 2021.   And inventory in 2021 was already significantly lower than 2020.   New listings to the market were also down by 27% for the year so home buyers simply did not have much to choose from.  Months of supply of inventory were at an average of 1.44 for the year which is an indication of a Seller’s Market.  The market it generally considered a Buyer’s Market when months of supply are over 6 months.  That has not happened since before 2020.

Housing Inventory and Month's Supply of Inventory in Union County NJ

Housing Inventory and Month’s Supply of Inventory in Union County NJ

Mortgage Rates rose dramatically

After years of mortgage rates falling and ultimately hitting record lows in 2021, rates climbed dramatically in 2022.   Driven by high inflation, rates jumped from 3.22% at the beginning of the year to a record high of 7.08% in November.  Fortunately, they dropped a bit at the end of the year to an average of 6.33% in December.   In spite of this increase, rates are still well below the all-time high of 18.6% in 1981.  They are also below the average of 7.76 since Freddie Mac starting track in the 1970s.   Although rising mortgage rates often deter buyers, many financial experts agree that home ownership can be a very lucrative long-term investment even with higher rates.   There are also many different financing options available to buyers to keep payments affordable.

Real Estate Market Predictions for 2023

The 2023 Real Estate Market predictions vary wildly.   Some experts predict a substantial downturn while others see a flattening or even continued growth.   The reality is that no one can time the market.  History proves the best time to buy a home or sell a home is when the need or desire is there.  Upgrading in a market that has seen a substantial rise means you’re going to get more for the property you’re selling as well.   Buyers and sellers should pay less attention to the national headlines and partner with a local Real Estate professional that is familiar with the intricacies of their specific market.   I will be keeping a very close eye on the market and continue to report out on trends I am seeing.   Subscribe to my blog receive updates as soon as they are posted.  

Happy New Year!