Market News • February 2, 2023

Q4 2022 Utah Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Utah real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

Utah’s economy continues to add jobs, but the pace of growth has started to slow. Over the past 12 months, the state added 43,300 jobs. At an annual rate of 2.6%, this was the slowest pace of growth since the state started recovering jobs post-COVID. The counties covered by this report added more than 35,000 new jobs over the past year, which was also a growth rate of 2.6%. The state’s unemployment rate in November was 2.2%. This was marginally below the rate of the prior year but impressive all the same. It is equally impressive to see that the unemployment rate remained at a very low level even as the state added over 52,400 people to the workforce.

Utah Home Sales

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, 5,145 homes sold in the areas covered by this report. This was down 45% compared to the same period the previous year and down 27.8% compared to the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Sales fell across the board compared to both the fourth quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Inventory levels have skyrocketed, with the average number of homes on the market up a remarkable 248% from the same period in 2021. Listing activity fell 8.3% from the third quarter, but that wasn’t surprising given seasonal factors.

❱ Significantly higher inventory levels gave buyers a lot more options than they have become accustomed to. This, combined with higher mortgage rates, likely impacted sales in the fourth quarter.

Utah Home Prices

❱ The average sale price in the fourth quarter rose a modest .6% from the fourth quarter of 2021 to $604,105. Prices were 3.7% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Median listing prices were 3.6% lower than in the third quarter, suggesting that higher financing costs may have created a price ceiling. That said, listing prices were higher in Morgan, Wasatch, and Summit counties compared to the prior quarter.

❱ Year over year, prices rose in four markets but pulled back in the other three. Compared to the third quarter of 2022, average home prices fell in every area other than Summit County, where they rose .8%.

❱ The bull market that has been in place for quite some time appears to have lost its momentum. I am not concerned by this and expect the market to moderate as it comes to terms with higher financing costs.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Utah. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Summit and Morgan have a percentage change in the -6.5% to -4.1% range, Davis is in the -1.5% to 0.9% change range, Weber, Salt Lake, and Wasatch are in the 1% to 3.4% range, and Utah is in the 3.5%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Rates rose dramatically in 2022, but I believe that they have now peaked. Mortgage rates are primarily based on the prices and yields of bonds, and while bonds take cues from several places, they are always impacted by inflation and the economy at large. If inflation continues to fall, as I expect it will, rates will continue to drop.

My current forecast is that mortgage rates will trend lower as we move through the year. While this may be good news for home buyers, rates will still be higher than they have become accustomed to. Even as the cost of borrowing falls, home prices in expensive markets will probably fall a bit more to compensate for rates that will likely hold above 6% until early summer.

A bar graph showing the mortgage rates from Q4 2020 to the present, as well as Matthew Gardner's forecasted mortgage rates through Q4 2023. After the 6.79% figure in Q4 2022, he forecasts mortgage rates dipping to 6.27% in Q1 2023, 6.09% in Q2 2023, 5.76% in Q3 2023, and 5.42% in Q4 2023.

Utah Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in the counties covered by this report rose 27 days compared to the same period in 2021.

❱ Homes sold fastest in Salt Lake County and slowest in Summit County. All areas saw average market time rise compared to the third quarter of 2022 as well as the fourth quarter of 2021.

❱ It took an average of 55 days to sell a home during the fourth quarter. Market time rose 22 days from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ It is likely that home buyers are waiting for asking prices to fall further and hoping that mortgage rates do the same.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

The state’s economy is still performing very well, but this is not enough to push the housing market forward at the pace we saw during the height of the pandemic. I expect the region will continue to see downward pressure on home prices, but a major correction is unlikely. It’s more likely that as mortgage rates continue to decline, the market will find a solid floor in the summer and prices will resume their upward trend as we move into the fall.

The Utah housing market does not yet significantly favor home buyers but, given the data discussed in this report, it has certainly shifted away from sellers and into neutral territory. I have moved the needle accordingly.

About Matthew Gardner

Matthew Gardner - Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

Design • February 1, 2023

What Makes a Home Modern? 6 Features of Modern Architecture

by Windermere Staff

The exterior of a luxury modern home with a pool, large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and a second-floor patio.

Sleek, sustainable design, open concept floor plans, minimalism, and eco-conscious thinking are defining characteristics of modern architecture. These concepts were formed in the early to mid-twentieth century as part of the modern art movement which encompassed art deco interior design and mid-century modern architecture among other styles. Here’s a breakdown of the features that define modern architecture.

6 Features of Modern Architecture

1. Clean Geometric Lines

At the heart of modernist values lies the simplification of form. Ornate decorations quickly became a thing of the past as designers became focused on taking a no-frills approach to home design. Modernist homes have a very linear feel with straight lines and exposed building materials, as opposed to more irregular shapes that were popular in the past.

2. Multifunctional Spaces

Multifunctional living spaces are a foundational element of modern homes. Built-in storage is commonly used to reflect this multi-purpose, space-saving feel. This gives added significance to the spaces in a home by upping each one’s utility. It creates an environment where everything has purpose.

3. Eco-Friendly

Modern homes are well suited for technological and eco-friendly home upgrades, as well as eco-friendly building materials and energy efficient practices, and flat roofs to accommodate solar power. A new trend is to decorate each room with plants for a calming, soothing effect. Large windows are abundant in modern architecture, allowing light to fill and expand the interior space, bringing the natural world indoors.

The interior of a modern home kitchen with granite countertops, hardwood floors, dark oak cabinets, and a stainless-steel range and dishwasher.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: irina88w

4. Post-and-Beam Structure

Exposed wood posts and ceiling beams are classic elements in modern architecture and modern offshoots like farmhouse interior design. Modern homes significantly emphasize the structure rather than hiding the bones behind drywall. In new modern homes the post-and-beam structure can be made of concrete, iron, or other materials. The visible horizontal and vertical beams reinforce the clean geometric lines of the space.

5. Open Concept

Modern design strives to “open” the space by eliminating enclosed rooms. A common design method is to open the kitchen and dining room into an open living space, allowing the spaces to flow into one another.

6. Minimalism

With open and connected modernist spaces, careful curation of furniture, décor, and household objects is paramount to incorporating the modernist aesthetic. Generally, modernist homes have art and furniture that reflects the clean geometric lines and the natural materials of the architecture, leaving less space for clutter. Minimalist philosophies encourage few household items that serve both form and function, which work well within this design and architectural style.

The interior of a modern home open-concept living room/dining room area with minimalist decorations and features: neutral-colored carpet, hardwood floors, beige couch and chairs, and a fireplace in the dining room.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: alvarez

Contemporary vs. Modern Architecture & Design

The terms “contemporary” and “modern” are thrown around interchangeably. They do possess a certain degree of overlapping qualities, but specifically in the design world, “modern” refers to styles influenced by the early to mid-twentieth century movement, while contemporary design is what is popular in the present. Whatever interior design trends are at the forefront can be said to be contemporary, while modern interior design is still influenced by a specific period in the past.

For more information on home design, read about how to keep up with trends while decorating your home colorfully:

Colorful Modern Design Trends for Your Home

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: onurdongel

Market News • February 1, 2023

Q4 2022 Montana Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Montana real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

The slowing job growth trend that started in the summer of last year continued into the fall, with employment increasing only 1.3% year over year. With only 6,500 jobs added over the past 12 months, annual job gains are now below 10,000, a pace we have not seen since the pandemic started having an impact on the job market. Regionally, the picture was the same: all metro areas added jobs but at a far slower pace. Montana’s unemployment rate in November was 2.9%, matching the level of the year prior. In the metro areas covered in this report, the lowest jobless rate was in Billings at 2.1%, followed by Missoula at 2.2%, and Great Falls at 2.5%.

Montana Home Sales

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, 1,203 homes sold in the counties covered by this report. This was a 27% decline from the fourth quarter 2021 and down 40.5% compared to the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Listing activity was 19.3% lower than the same period the prior year and 26.1% lower than in the third quarter. Although a drop in listings is expected as the region enters the winter months, the decline from a year ago was unexpected.

❱ Year over year, sales increased in Broadwater County, were flat in Jefferson and Ravalli counties, and fell in the balance of the markets included in this report. Compared to the third quarter of 2022, sales rose in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Madison counties but fell in all other markets.

❱ Pending sales fell 52.8% from the previous quarter. This may be a function of lower supply levels, but I am noticing that listing prices are starting to pull back in some areas. Higher mortgage rates may have started to affect prices.

Montana Home Prices

❱ Home prices were up 5.5% year over year to an average of $783,588. Prices were 10.5% higher than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ I still expect price growth to slow as we move through 2023. The question is whether prices will experience a tangible fall or if they will be able to hold onto modest gains while waiting for mortgage rates to fall, which would stimulate demand.

❱ In many parts of the country, prices have started to soften due to higher mortgage rates, so it was surprising to see the region’s home prices increase from the third quarter. While median listing prices were higher across the board, they did drop in Broadwater, Ravalli, Park, and Gallatin counties.

❱ The Montana housing market is faring much better than most of the country. Whether this can continue, however, is still uncertain.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Montana. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Lewis and Clark has a percentage change in the -17% to -0.1% range, Flathead, Missoula, Gallatin, and Park are in the 0% to 11.9% change range, Ravalli, Jefferson, and Madison are in the 12% to 23.9% range, and Lake and Broadwater are in the 36%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Montana Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home rose eight days compared to the same period the prior year.

❱ Homes sold fastest in Gallatin County while homes in Broadwater County took the longest time to sell. Missoula, Lake, Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson counties saw market time fall year over year. Market time rose in the rest of the region.

❱ During the fourth quarter, it took an average of 73 days to sell a home in the markets covered by this report.

❱ Compared to the third quarter of 2022, average market time rose in all counties other than Lake, where it took an average of four fewer days to find a buyer.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

So far, the Montana housing market has been unaffected by the significantly higher financing costs that have led home prices to fall across much of the country. Whether the region can continue to move through 2023 without seeing any substantial drop in home values remains to be seen, but it appears to be in a far better position today than most states. Pending sales in the quarter fell across most counties contained in this report, but whether this can be attributed to slower demand or simply the fact that inventory levels have pulled back is also unclear.

What is clear is that the market remains resilient. For this reason I am not moving the needle more in favor of buyers, unlike most markets across the U.S. Instead, I am leaving it in the same position as the third quarter of 2022. Hopefully, the spring market will provide more clarity about what we can expect from the rest of the year.

About Matthew Gardner

Market News • February 1, 2023

Q4 2022 Idaho Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Idaho real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

The pace of job growth in Idaho continues to slow. That said, with the addition of 23,800 jobs over the past 12 months, the pace of growth was still an impressive 3%. The Boise metro area grew at a more modest 2.5% rate. The job market there is clearly showing signs of fatigue, adding only 200 new jobs over the past three months. Idaho’s unemployment rate was 3%, down modestly from 3.2% a year ago. In the Boise metro area, 2.6% of the labor force was unemployed, down from 2.8% a year ago. Even if the country enters a recession this year, I expect that Idaho will still add jobs, but at a much slower pace than we have seen since the post-pandemic recovery started. My current forecast shows that the state will add about 114,000 jobs in 2023, which suggests that employment growth will slow to around 2%.

Idaho Home Sales

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, 4,777 homes sold, which was 36.1% lower than in the fourth quarter of 2021 and down 8.9% from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Listing activity fell 12.7% from the third quarter, but was 52.9% higher than fourth quarter of 2021.

❱ Compared to the same period a year prior, sales fell in all markets covered by this report. Relative to the third quarter of 2022, sales rose in all Northern Idaho markets but fell in every southern market other than Gem County.

❱ Pending sales were 19.2% lower than in the third quarter of the year, which means it’s unlikely that the first quarter of 2023 will show any substantial increase in sales.

Idaho Home Prices

❱ The average home price in the region rose 1.4% year over year to $614,027. Relative to the third quarter of 2022, prices fell 1.8%.

❱ Compared to the third quarter, prices rose in Bonner and Boundary counties in the northern part of the state. In Southern Idaho, prices fell in all counties other than Blaine and Valley.

❱ Year over year, prices rose by double digits in Boundary County and were higher in all Northern Idaho counties except Bonner. In the southern part of the state, prices rose in four counties but fell in Payette, Gem, and Boise counties.

❱ Median listing prices in the fourth quarter were down 1.6% from the third quarter, but they were higher in Blaine, Valley, and Kootenai counties.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Idaho. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Bonner, Boise, Gem, and Payette have a percentage change in the -8.5% to -0.1% range, Kootenai, Ada, and Canyon are in the 0% to 2.9% change range, Shoshone is in the 3% to 5.9% range, Valley is in the 6% to 8.9% change range, and Blaine is in the 9%+ range.

Mortgage Rates

Idaho Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in the region rose 14 days compared to the same quarter of 2021. Average days on market rose 21 days from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Year over year, days on market rose in all Southern Idaho counties. In Northern Idaho, market time rose in every county other than Shoshone.

❱ It took an average of 86 days to sell a home in Northern Idaho and 63 days in the southern counties covered by this report.

❱ Homes again sold the fastest in Ada County in Southern Idaho and in Shoshone County in the northern part of the state.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Housing affordability has become a significant concern in Idaho, and high mortgage rates are impacting the ability for buyers to finance a home at current prices. While mortgage rates are expected to fall later this year, they will still be higher than buyers have become accustomed to. This means prices will likely decline as we move through the year, but they should level off as we enter the fall.

Although there is ample choice for buyers, I am wondering if listing activity will taper in the coming months as sellers hold off until the market improves. It’s also foreseeable that many of them will decide not to sell because they would lose the historically low interest rate on their current mortgage. Given all of this, I am moving the needle towards a more neutral market. If the number of homes for sale rises significantly in the spring, it’s likely the market will start to favor buyers.

About Matthew Gardner

Market News • January 31, 2023

Q4 2022 Central Washington Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Central Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

Central Washington lost 3,431 jobs over the past 12 months. Although it’s never good to see a region shed jobs, I believe the declines in total employment are due to businesses pulling back in anticipation of a slowing economy. A recession in 2023 is far from guaranteed though, and if we manage to avoid one, I expect businesses will start hiring again. When adjusted for seasonality, unemployment levels in Central Washington were 6.2%, up from 5.4% a year ago. The lowest unemployment rate was in Chelan County, where it was 4.9%. The area’s highest jobless rates were in Yakima and Okanogan counties, where 6.7% of the labor force was unemployed.

Central Washington Home Sales

❱ There were 941 home sales in Central Washington in the final quarter of 2022, which is a decline of 37.5% from the same quarter the prior year.

❱ Pending sales, which are an indicator of future closings, fell 44.2% compared to the third quarter of 2022, suggesting that the market may not show much growth in early 2023.

❱ Sales fell significantly across the board relative to the same period the previous year. The number of homes sold was also down 33.8% from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Inventory levels rose 24.6% year over year, giving buyers who were still in the market significantly more choices.

Central Washington Home Prices

❱ The average home price in Central Washington rose 4.3% year over year to $489,710. Prices were down 5.3% from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Median listing prices fell in every county other than Kittitas compared to the third quarter of 2022. It appears that sellers are being more realistic about prices given the significant increase in mortgage rates.

❱ All counties other than Douglas saw prices rise year over year, with an increase of more than 10% in Kittitas County. But prices fell across the board compared to the third quarter of 2022.

❱ The winter months typically see a slowdown in the real estate market. The question now becomes whether buyers will restart their home search in the spring despite higher mortgage rates, or if sellers will have to lower prices further to entice the buyers back into the market. I believe the latter is more likely.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Central Washington. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Douglas has a percentage change in the -1% to -0.1% range, Okanogan and Chelan are in the 3% to 5.9% change range, Yakima in the 6% to 8.9%, and Kittitas is in the 9%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Central Washington Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in Central Washington in the final quarter of 2022 was 54 days.

❱ Relative to the same period the year prior, it took 17 more days to sell a home.

❱ On average, it also took 17 more days to sell a home in the fourth quarter of 2022 than it did in the third quarter of the year.

❱ All counties saw the average time it took for homes to sell rise compared to both the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Employment growth has turned negative and uncertainty about the economy is sure to impact demand for housing. Mortgage rates have started to pull back, but I do not see them falling enough in the near-term to result in a surplus of home buyers.

That said, buyers have not abandoned the market entirely. I expect they are waiting for listing prices to soften a little more. If they see this happen and mortgage rates break below 6%, they are likely to resume their home search. Given these dynamics, I am moving the needle to slightly favor buyers, though I would describe the market as being quite neutral.

About Matthew Gardner

Market News • January 31, 2023

Q4 2022 Eastern Washington Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Eastern Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

Year over year, total employment in Eastern Washington fell 2,909 jobs. Spokane and Grant counties collectively lost 3,253 jobs. There were minor job losses in Lincoln, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties, but employment rose in Benton and Franklin counties. Unadjusted for seasonality, the regional unemployment rate was 5%, up from 4.2% a year ago. Seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate was 5.3%, up from 4.4% a year ago. Businesses may be looking to consolidate in anticipation of a possible economic slowdown this year. Although I am not particularly worried now, I will be watching to see if job losses continue as we move through the spring, which would be a greater concern.

Eastern Washington Home Sales

❱ In the fourth quarter of 2022, 2,167 homes sold, which was 42.8% lower than the same period the previous year and 34.4% lower than the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Listing activity rose 111% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, but the average number of homes for sale was 12.5% lower than in the third quarter of 2022. This is expected given the slowdown that is traditional during the winter months.

❱ Year over year, sales fell across the region. Compared to the third quarter of 2022, sales were flat in Lincoln County but fell everywhere else.

❱ Pending sales fell 39.9% from the prior year, suggesting that the market will likely not see a buoyant early spring.

Eastern Washington Home Prices

❱ Year over year, the average home price in Eastern Washington rose 4.3% to $442,603. Average prices were down 4.5% from the third quarter.

❱ Compared to the third quarter of 2022, prices fell in all counties with the exception of Franklin (+1.9%) and Walla Walla (+0.7%).

❱ Average sale prices increased year over year in every county but Lincoln. Walla Walla County experienced significant price increases.

❱ Mortgage rates peaked in the quarter, which undoubtedly impacted home prices. Additionally, median listing prices fell in all counties compared to the prior quarter, which also impacted the pace of price growth.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Eastern Washington. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Lincoln has a percentage change in the -6% to -0.1% range, Franklin is in the 0% to 2.4% change range, Spokane and Benton are in the 2.5% to 4.9%, Whitman is in the 5% to 7.4% range, and Grant and Walla Walla are in the 7.5%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Eastern Washington Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in Eastern Washington in the final quarter of 2022 was 35 days, which was 11 more days than the same period the previous year.

❱ Compared to the third quarter of 2022, average days on market in the region rose 11 days.

❱ All counties except Lincoln saw the average number of days it took for a house to sell rise compared to the same period the year prior.

❱ Higher financing costs and economic uncertainty have led market time to rise, but it’s possible that buyers are waiting for both mortgage rates and prices to fall further before starting their home search.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

I suggested in the last Gardner Report that higher financing costs were starting to act as a significant headwind in the market, and I stand by this statement. That said, seasonality always skews the numbers, so I will see how the spring market performs before I consider the region to be firmly in the hands of home buyers.

I expect prices will fall a little further before stabilizing and then starting to rise again at a significantly slower pace. Because the current market favors neither buyers nor sellers, I have moved the needle to the center.

About Matthew Gardner

Living • January 30, 2023

Pros and Cons of Living in a Penthouse

by Windermere Staff

A group of friends attends a party at a modern penthouse apartment. The unit has an open floorplan connected to a small yard on the building’s rooftop.

Penthouses take the luxury lifestyle to new heights; they boast the best views in the city, offer unparalleled exclusivity, and often include outdoor spaces not typically found in other units throughout the same building. These perks, however, come at a cost. For those considering renting or purchasing a penthouse, the following information will help to inform your discussions with your real estate agent.

What is a penthouse?

At its core, a penthouse is a luxury apartment/condominium. Located on the top floor of an apartment building, condominium complex, hotel, or tower, its luxury features differentiate it from the building’s lower-level units. The living space of a penthouse is usually set back from the building’s outer edge and the remaining square footage of the roof deck is typically used as a yard, hot tub, pool, outdoor kitchen, etc.

Pros

The View: Even in a densely populated metropolitan area, living in a penthouse is your best chance at an unobstructed view of the city. Perched above the vast majority of other apartment and condominium buildings, a penthouse provides a bird’s eye view of your surroundings without being blocked by neighboring units.
Indoor and Outdoor Space: A penthouse is more than a luxury apartment; it’s your own private outdoor terrace. With access to the outdoors, you have more room for your favorite at-home activities, plus an array of entertaining opportunities. Penthouses are typically designed with open-concept floorplans which emphasize their extra square footage. For those looking to increase their living space while remaining in the city, a penthouse may be the perfect solution.
Privacy: Because penthouses only have neighbors below them, a penthouse floor sees fewer visitors than the lower floors in a building. Some penthouse floors have a separate, private entrance for added security.

Cons

High Price: Gaining access to this exclusive lifestyle is expensive. The high price tags reflect its unique characteristics: being far away from street noise, having more square footage and outdoor space, added privacy, etc. In some places, the costs to purchase or rent a penthouse can outpace the average monthly mortgage payment for a single-family home in the area, especially if you have Homeowners Association (HOA) fees tacked on.
Home Maintenance: Having more indoor and outdoor space means there’s more to maintain. Owning or renting one of these units comes with a longer to-do list than a smaller apartment or condominium. You’ll either have to carve out additional time for upkeep or consider hiring a professional to clean your home regularly.

Work closely with your real estate agent to determine whether renting or purchasing a penthouse is right for you. Learn more about other housing types and the differences between them here:

House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: skynesher

Market News • January 30, 2023

Q4 2022 Colorado Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Colorado real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

Although employment in the region is still expanding, the pace of growth continues to slow. Over the past year, 103,400 jobs were added, which is the slowest annual pace since the 12-month period ending in July 2022. The unemployment rate in November stood at a very respectable 3.5%. Regionally, unemployment rates ranged from a low of 2.8% in Boulder to a high of 4% in the Grand Junction metropolitan area.

Colorado Home Sales

❱ In the fourth quarter of 2022, 7,097 homes sold, which was 43% fewer sales than in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 34% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Sales fell across all of the markets covered by this report compared to the same period the year prior and the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Normal seasonal shifts in the market led the number of homes for sale to drop 20.1% compared to the third quarter. However, inventory levels were up by a very significant 164.6% from the fourth quarter of 2021.

❱ Pending sales (an indicator of future closings) dropped 40.1% from the third quarter, which suggests that the market is likely to see little, if any, growth in the early spring of 2023.

Colorado Home Prices

❱ Home prices rose 3.4% from the same period in 2021 to $628,373. However, prices were 4% lower than in the third quarter in 2022.

❱ Compared to the third quarter, prices fell in all counties other than Larimer, which rose .4%. Listing prices were down in every county other than Clear Creek and Gilpin.

❱ Year over year, prices rose by double digits in Clear Creek and Denver counties. Annual price growth was negative in five of the other ten counties covered by this report.

❱ Home prices rose at an unsustainable pace during the pandemic but rising mortgage rates, higher inventory levels, and lower affordability are now having an impact. Home sale prices will likely continue to pull back as we enter the spring, but the correction should halt during the summer as mortgage rates continue falling.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Colorado. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Boulder, Gilpin, Jefferson, Park, and El Paso have a percentage change in the -3.9% to -0.1%+ range, Adams and Arapahoe counties are in the 0% to 2.9% change range, Weld is in the 3% to 5.4% change range, Douglas is in the 6% to 8.9% change range, and Clear Creek and Denver counties are in the 9%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Colorado Days on Market

❱ It took an average of 38 days to sell a home in the region.

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in the markets contained in this report rose 18 days compared to the same period in 2021 and the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Year over year, the length of time it took to sell a home rose across the board.

❱ Buyers have a lot more choice in the market than they have been used to. In addition, uncertainty about the direction of mortgage rates and home prices is likely keeping some buyers sidelined.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Slowing job growth, the possibility of a mild recession in 2023, and higher financing costs are all weighing on the housing market. I suggested in the third quarter Gardner Report that the market was likely to continue slowing until prices became more realistic given higher mortgage rates; I am holding to this theory. I still anticipate many markets will see negative annual price growth this year, but prices will only pull back to 2021 levels. In other words, there is no significant cause for concern.

Prices are likely to fall a little further in the first half of the year before starting to rise again in the second half. All things considered, I have moved the needle to a neutral position, favoring neither buyers nor sellers.

About Matthew Gardner

Market News • January 30, 2023

Q4 2022 Southern California Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Southern California real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

Employment growth in Southern California continues to slow, with only 33,400 jobs added over the past three months. Annual growth also slowed: only 141,100 new jobs were added, which is down from 347,700 added between September 2021 and September 2022. Total employment in the counties covered by this report is still 305,300 shy of the region’s pre-pandemic peak. Los Angeles County still has the largest shortfall (-310,000), followed by Orange County (-36,800) and San Diego County (-19,500). Employment levels in the Riverside and San Bernardino markets remain well above pre-pandemic levels. The region’s unemployment rate in November was 4%, down from 5.4% a year ago. The lowest rates were in Orange County (3%) and San Diego County (3.3%).

Southern California Home Sales

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, 28,953 homes sold. This is 43.9% lower than the same period the year prior and down 24.5% compared to the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Pending home sales, which are an indicator of future closings, were down 30% from the third quarter, suggesting that sales activity in the first quarter of this year may also be down.

❱ On a percentage basis, sales fell the most in Riverside County, but all markets pulled back significantly. Compared to the third quarter, sales were down 24.5%, or 9,400 units.

❱ The lower number of sales can be attributed to more listings in the market, which were up 83.5% year over year, and higher mortgage rates, which make homes less affordable.

Southern California Home Prices

❱ Fourth quarter home sale prices were .7% higher than the same period the prior year but were 2.5% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Mortgage rates, which peaked in October, have impacted both the number of sales and prices. Median listing prices were down 4.9%, which indicates that sellers have been adjusting their expectations, but I believe they will fall further before stability in the market is restored.

❱ The region had very modest price growth in all markets other than Orange County, where prices fell 2.8%. Compared to the third quarter of 2022, prices were lower across all markets other than Los Angeles County, where they rose .2%.

❱ Mortgage rates have started to pull back. If this continues, I am hopeful that the second half of 2023 will be more active, resulting in rising sales and home prices.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Southern California. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Orange County have a percentage change in the -3% to -0.1% range, Los Angeles and Riverside are in the 0.5% to 0.9% change range, and San Diego and San Bernardino are in the 1.5%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Southern California Days on Market

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, the average time it took to sell a home in the region was 37 days, which was 15 more than the same period the year prior and 11 more than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Compared to the third quarter of 2022, market time rose in all counties covered by this report.

❱ Homes in San Diego County continue to sell at a faster rate than other markets in the region, but market time increased in all counties year over year.

❱ More choice and higher mortgage rates appear to be sidelining some buyers. Whether they resume their search for a home in the spring may depend on the direction of mortgage rates and whether prices start to stabilize.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Job growth has slowed, which may be at least partly attributable to businesses expecting to see the economy slow as we move through this year. The housing market is very susceptible to economic turbulence. This, combined with higher financing costs and softening prices, has caused a lull in the market.

There is no doubt that regional home values are resetting following the frenetic market during the pandemic when mortgage rates were artificially low. I expect prices to move modestly lower this spring before stabilizing and starting to rise again in the second half of the year. All things considered, I have moved the needle to a neutral position, favoring neither buyers nor sellers.

About Matthew Gardner

Market News • January 27, 2023

Q4 2022 Central and Southern Oregon Real Estate Market Update

by Windermere Economics

The following analysis of select counties of the Central and Southern Oregon real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

Regional Economic Overview

The Central and Southern Oregon areas covered by this report have now recovered all of the jobs that were shed due to the pandemic and added 720 new ones. Although the Medford metro area is still lagging, the other markets contained in this report have made up for the shortfall. The area’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, matching the level of a year ago. That said, the number of unemployed has started to trend a little higher across the board. By area, the lowest jobless rate was in Deschutes County (4.1%) and the highest was in Klamath County, where 6.1% of the labor force is still without a job.

Central and Southern Oregon Home Sales

❱ In the final quarter of 2022, 1,721 homes sold, which represented a drop of more than 42% compared to the same period the prior year. Sales were 29.4% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Home sales fell in all counties relative to the third quarter of 2022. Only Josephine County saw a decline in sales of less than 10%.

❱ Sales fell significantly in all counties compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.

❱ The reason for the drop in home sales is likely because higher inventory levels gave buyers more choice. It also appears that many buyers are waiting to make a move in the hopes that prices and mortgages will fall further in the coming months.

Central and Southern Oregon Home Prices

❱ The average home sale price in the region rose 1% year over year to $557,517, but it was down 8.4% from the third quarter of 2022.

❱ Compared to the third quarter of 2022, average prices fell in every county other than Jefferson, where they rose 3.4%.

❱ All counties contained in this report saw prices rise year over year, but prices in Deschutes and Jackson counties were essentially unchanged. It doesn’t appear that home prices have been significantly influenced by the increase in mortgage rates yet.

❱ Compared to the third quarter, median listing prices fell in Deschutes, Jackson, Crook, and Josephine counties, but rose in Klamath and Jefferson counties.

A map showing the real estate home prices percentage changes for various counties in Central and Southern Oregon. Different colors correspond to different tiers of percentage change. Deschutes and Jackson Counties have a percentage change in the 0% to 1.9% range, Klamath and Josephine are in the 2% to 3.9% change range, Crook is in the 6% to 7.9% change range, and Jefferson County is in the 8%+ change range.

Mortgage Rates

Central and Southern Oregon Days on Market

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in the region rose 26 days year over year. It took 21 more days for a home to sell compared to the third quarter of 2022.

❱ The average time it took to sell a home in the final quarter of 2022 was 54 days.

❱ All counties saw market time rise compared to both the same period the year prior and the third quarter of 2022.

❱ It appears that buyers are being far more selective and taking their time when it comes to making an offer on a home.

Conclusions

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Sellers are adjusting to the changing market, as shown by the drop in asking prices in several markets, though this is not the case everywhere. The spring market will be a bellwether for the housing market in 2023. It appears as if mortgage rates have peaked, which should be good news for home buyers. Furthermore, sellers lowered their listing prices by almost 3% in the fourth quarter, demonstrating that they are aware that the market has shifted.

The market appears to be moving more toward buyers. As such, I have moved the needle closer to the center, but I cannot say definitively that the market completely favors buyers. The spring market will be very telling.

About Matthew Gardner