“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Sponsor a Community — What is Localism? | Register or Sign In
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?
Home Kim Peasley-Parker

Kim Peasley-Parker

Blog_tag

Sumter, South Carolina Real Estate Market Update May 2009

06-12-09
Kim Peasley-Parker
Wow, another month has gone by in the real estate market. Overall, we hear news that the markets are improving throughout many parts of the county and that is great news for many people especially sellers. And yes, I do mean real estate markets. Every state, county, town and subdivision is different so each is a market!
Buyers, now is the time to make the commitment and get off the fence. Uhm, aren't you getting sore from sitting on it for so long anyway? There is only 5 1/2 months left in the $8000 first time home buyers tax credit programs. Yeah, five months might seem like a long time, but remember plan for at least 30 days minimum to get your home closed and that is after locating one. As for the interest rate fluctuations, they are still great!!!! They may not be as low as they were a couple of months ago, but they are still historically low!
My market report this month is in transition. Please bear with me as I have added some charts and information. I am still working on the formats and working out the details but I wanted to get this information into a post so come back next month and I will hopefully have more bugs worked out in the formats.
As part of the new information, I have added the Monthly Median Sale Price and also Monthly Average $/Square Foot. These charts proved to be interesting. If you look at the data, you can see a direct relationship between the median sale price and $/square foot in January. The median sale price and average $/square foot dipped in January. We saw smaller, less expensive homes being sold and driving down both numbers. As we watch these charts over the next couple of months, I think we will see they continue to follow the same movements.
Sumter SC Median Price in Sumter
Sumter SC Avg $/Sq Ft
Days on Market is very important for sellers in planning moves. The Days on Market has increased over the past couple of years and continues fluctuate month to month. I do not see the days on market decreasing anytime in the near future for Sumter. It will be a gradual change as the number of listings decrease and the number of buyers increases.
Sumter SC Day On Market
In May there were a total of 153 new listings up from 151 in April. The new listings contributed to an overall increase in the number of active listing of 1363 at the end of May. This information was just added and will be continued on a monthly basis.
Sumter SC Real Estate Listings per Month
Sumter SC Active Real Estate Listings per Month
The number of units sold in May was 69 down from 72 in April and equal to the 69 units sold in March. June and July are traditionally the strongest selling months in Sumter County so we should expect to see these numbers increase the next two months.
Sumter real estate sold
sumter sc tear to date units sold
I have added new charts this month and eliminated some other charts, but I hope you find the additions helpful. I am still working on tweaking the new charts and information so please bear with me on the changes. Hope to see you next month!
Kim Peasley-Parker
Realtor®/Shareholder
AgentOwned Realty Co.
Sumter, SC
Cell 803-840-7519
Serving all of Sumter County including Shaw Air Force Base

2 Comments
Blog_tag

Wordless Wednesdays, Miss Maddie at Lake Keowee

06-10-09
Kim Peasley-Parker

This weekend we were able to visit Aunt Pam, Uncle Scott and Natalie at Lake Keowee in Oconee County. The really scary part was the swimsuit is a 12 month size and she is only 4 months!!!

Maddie at Lake Keowee

Maddie at Lake Keowee 2

Maddie at Lake Keowee 3

Kim Peasley-Parker, AgentOwned Realty, 803-840-7519

15 Comments
Blog_tag

Sumter, SC Real Estate Market Update April 2009

05-12-09
Kim Peasley-Parker

Sumter, SC Real Estate Market Update April 2009

First let me apologize about being so bad about doing market reports this year. About the time I should have been doing February’s report, I had another project going on. The project was 7 lbs 2 oz and 19 ½” long and totally adorable. J Madeline Marie was born on February 2nd, healthy and happy and that is all that mattered to her mom and dad. Mom went back to work February 12th and hasn’t slowed down since. I have listed several homes, done several competitive market analysises and also had several transactions close. So I am trying my best to get back on track ya’ll. Bear with me!

The Sumter real estate market had a slow winter. Normally winters are slower, but our December, January and February were slower than normal. In December the number of pendings dipped to 94 and that showed in the number of units sold (closed) in January. I am posting a chart of the data below so you can see the numbers. After a slow winter, the numbers have shown an increase in March and April. The number of units sold and pending (under contract) has increased and this is good news. The number of phone calls for showings has also increased, but we are seeing a little slower activity in May. Showings do have a tendency to slow in May due to the end of the school year and many people being busy wrapping up the school year.
Month Units Sold in Month Pendings New Listings

December 2008

 57 94 107

January 2009

 49 114 114
February 2009 57 127 163
March 2009 69 139 181
April 2009 72 152 151
The charts for Units Sold Per Month, Listings per Month and YTD Listings are included below. You can compare 2009 to prior years and see that we are off to a slow start. Will we catch up to prior years? It is hard to tell, but right now I would say no. But that doesn't mean it will be a horrible year. Sumter is still looking forward the the 3rd Army Headquarter relocation to Shaw Air Force Base and also the Shaw AFB PCS season has not yet gotten into full swing.
Units Sold By Month
Listings per Month
YTD Listing
There are two questions after all this data. First, is it a good time to list my home for sale? My answer is if you need to sell, yes it is. As a seller, you need to make sure your home is ready to sell. The house needs to be spic and span and organized throughout and be ready to market. The competition is tough and you need to be ahead of them in order to get the buyer to make an offer. I wrote a series of blogs about houses selling in Sumter and what they have in common. (Are Houses Selling in Sumter?) Second, is it a good time to buy a home? YES!!!! No one has a crystal ball to say what the future holds, but it is an excellent time to purchase a home. We are seeing mortgage rates at record lows. No one has any idea how long they will stay there, so strike while the iron is hot. (This includes refinancing if you are remaining in the home.) Also if you are a first time home buyer, you can qualify for up to $8000 First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit. This credit doesn't have to be repaid like the 2008 tax credit, unless you sell the home in less than three years. If there is a chance you might sell the home before the three years, there are options to help you.
2009 promises to be another interesting year in Sumter, South Carolina as far as real estate. The best thing that both buyers and sellers can do is research, ask questions and deal with a professional who understands the market and keeps up to date on the trends.
If you would like any specific information about a segment of the market please feel free to contact me at 803-840-7519. I would be happy to talk with you about your real estate needs and concerns.
Kim Peasley-Parker, AgentOwned Realty, www.SumterHomePros.com

3 Comments
Blog_tag

FREE Shred It Event at SAFE Federal Credit Union

05-10-09
Kim Peasley-Parker

Shred It Event in Sumter
 
Many people have been a victim to identity theft and now SAFE Federal Credit Union is sponsering a "Shred It" event at their Administration facility.  Members and community residents can participate.  Each person is allowed to bring up to four boxes of personal documents for shredding.  Items that are suggested include financial statements, concelled checks, credit card statements, credit card pre-approval letters, payroll stubs, insurance forms, old tax returns, and forms from doctors' offices. 
 
The event in Sumter is:
Saturday, May 16th
160 W. Wesmark, Blvd
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
 
Identify theft costs everyone and the numbers are staggering.  Per SAFE's information, loses to Americans alone are estimated at $40 billion annually!  Protect your credit and your future!  
 
Thank you to SAFE for sponsering this event!
 
 

2 Comments
Blog_tag

Red, White and Blue Friday!

05-08-09
Kim Peasley-Parker

It's another Friday at AgentOwned Realty. That means it support the troops Friday in support of our troops everyone at AgentOwned is asked to wear red white and blue. It's a very simple way to show our recognition and support of our troops that are out protecting our freedoms every day.

Patriotic Maddie

Madeline is now three months old and is helping to support the troops. This outfit is becoming her Friday outfit. We will do our best to raise Madeline to be a patriotic citizen.

To read more about the AgentOwned effort to support our troops please visit Liz Loadholt's blog about our efforts

Please join us next Friday in support of our groups and where your red white and blue.

5 Comments