Pinellas County Real Estate Statistics for February 2012
The decrease in listings has continued in February and is starting to get to concerning levels. Active
inventory shrunk and non-distressed properties continue to increase their lead. Just over 21% of available
homes are short sales and foreclosures, a full 6% decrease over last February. According to Leon
Sarkisian, 2012 PRO Chairman of the Board, and realtor with Prudential Tropical Realty, properties that
have been on the market for an extended period of time are starting to get interest from buyers. Sarkisian
went on to say that many homeowners are too nervous to sell their existing homes for fear of not being
able to get financing on a new home.
In the overall residential market, sales were up about 2% from February 2011 to February 2012.
However, for the same time period the median sales price was up almost 18%. This may indicate the
low inventory is starting to drive prices higher, as pending sales are up 10% and listings are down
34%.
Single family sales are up only about 1.5% from February 2011 to February 2012. The median sales
price for the single family market is up almost 20%. Pending sales are up 8% while the month’s
supply of inventory is down almost 40% from February 2011 to February 2012.
The condo market had an almost 3% increase in sales over the last year but only 8% increase in the
median sales price. Active condo listings are down almost 27% for the same time period.
Keep an ear open for talk about legislation in Washington, D.C. that would extend mortgage debt
forgiveness on short sales beyond 2012. If this bill doesn’t gain traction, expect to start seeing a few
more short sales this summer, as sellers try to sell their homes and claim the tax break for the end of
the year.