Iowa Association of Realtors Unveils New Housing Stats System

Maybe we're behind the curve, or perhaps we're out in front, my suspicion is though that all agents in Iowa will enjoy the new housing stats system unveiled by the IAR in September 2009.

We've always been able to produce reports, but data such as unit sales per month, comparisons to previous years and housing price trends have not been readily available. That's all changed now with the new report system as evidenced by this August 2009 Housing Stats Report. I, like many agents I suspect, was relegated to wait until reading the numbers in the Des Moines Register the day after the figures came from the board. This new system however means I can log-in and easily get the numbers in an easy to read format that I quickly can share with clients and prospects.

Trends are valuable in that listing agents and clients don't have to just guess about what's happening in the area or market, they can have ready access to the data to readily gauge:

1. How aggressive to be on pricing
2. Ascertain number of competing listing
3. Determine whether prices are rising or falling
4. Determine whether days on market are rising or falling

Buyers can also benefit by using the stats to determine:

1. Price trends up or down
2. Declining or accelerating inventory of homes
3. Wheter or not homes on market are within normal ranges
4. Motivations of sellers

If you're looking to buy or sell and would like to analyze the trends to determine your best strategy, give me a call and we'll set up an appointment.