How’s the Real Estate Market in Summit?
The focus is on Summit, New Jersey, and numbers talk! The market in Summit has been consistently improving. Because the real estate market is seasonal, the best way to look at a market is by looking at sales in a given month compared to the same month in another year. In Summit, the number of homes that have gone Under Contract (UC) are higher each month so far this year. Another market indicator, the Absorption Rate (AR), gives a read on the strength of the market, with a lower number indicating a stronger market (calculated by dividing the number of homes available on the market in a given month by the number of homes that have gone under contract that month). Looking at April 2009 compared to April 2010, there were 100% more homes that sold, and the Absorption Rate was 52.4% lower (ie. stronger). [Data from the Garden State MLS]
| 2009 | 2010 | |||||
| #UC | #Active | AR | #UC | #Active | AR | |
| January | 4 | 82 | 20.5 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 |
| February | 10 | 116 | 11.6 | 15 | 141 | 9.4 |
| March | 18 | 162 | 9 | 38 | 185 | 4.9 |
| April | 20 | 205 | 10.3 | 40 | 194 | 4.9 |
For the details of all homes that closed in Summit in April 2010 go to www.SoldInSummit.com. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Summit New Jersey area- and, if you appreciate honest, reliable, and tech-savvy service, you can contact Judi for a free, no obligation consultation.
Judith “Judi” Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Follow me on Twitter: @JudiParis
Governor Christie Pledges to Support NJ Businesses
On Friday morning, May 7th, 2010 Christina Genovese, Director of Business for Governor Chris Christie, addressed the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, which supports Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights. Christine spoke about the tough budgeting issues the new administration is tackling, as well as structures Governor Christie is putting in place to support New Jersey businesses through the Deputy Governor. This new support should come in part from systems designed to expedite answers from the various state departments, from public/private partnership systems created to help with marketing and branding, and through legislation proposals that should have a positive impact on corporate tax structures.
For information on the local real estate market in the Summit New Jersey area go to www.BestHomeResults.com. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Union, Morris, Essex or Northern Somerset Counties of New Jersey- and, if you appreciate honest, reliable, and tech-savvy service, you can contact Judi for a free, no obligation consultation.
Judith “Judi” Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Follow me on Twitter: @JudiParis
Capital Gains Tax for Investment Properties to increase in 2011
Owners of Real Estate investments who are considering selling, should be aware of a noteworthy tax incentive to sell their investment properties in 2010, rather than afterward. The capital gains tax is expected to rise considerably in 2011. A capital gain occurs when the amount realized on the sale of the asset is greater than the taxpayer’s basis, loosely the purchase price plus any monies invested in the asset, less any fees, taxes and depreciation deductions claimed. Short-term capital gains are for investments held for a year or less before being sold, and incur a greater tax burden than Long-term capital gains, which are for investments held over a year.
American taxpayers have been on a ‘tax holiday’ since 2003, when legislation was passed which largely reduced capital gains taxes, but only through 2008. On May 17, 2006, George W. Bush signed the Tax Reconciliation Act, which extended this tax reduction through 2010, and additionally eliminated all capital gains tax for those in the tax brackets of 10 or 15%. Starting in 2011, the current maximum 15% Long-term Capital Gains Tax is scheduled to revert to 20% for those in the 25-35% tax brackets, and back to 10% and 20% respectively for those in the 10 and 20% tax brackets.
For more information about capital gains, go to www.IRS.gov and refer to Publication 550, ‘Investment Income and Expenses’, or Publication 17, ‘Your Federal Income Tax’. Please consult with your tax advisor on how the changing tax laws will affect you specifically. If you are considering selling or purchasing any residential investment properties in Union, Morris, Essex or Somerset Counties of New Jersey, you can call Judi Paris for a free, no obligation consultation.
Judith “Judi” Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Follow me on Twitter: @JudiParis
Good News: Strengthening Real Estate Market!
Encouraging report: the local real estate markets in Union, Morris, and Essex Counties of New Jersey have been showing signs of strengthening since the third quarter of 2009. For one, the Absorption Rate for most local towns was lower in Q4 of 2009 compared to Q4 of 2008 (the lower the Absorption Rates, the more demand compared to supply, and the stronger the market). Also, looking specifically at January 2010 data compared to January 2009 for Summit, Millburn/Short Hills, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Madison, Morris Township, Morristown, and Randolph, most indicators point to a strengthening market. Although most sellers are feeling discouraged by the recent decline in home values, real estate is becoming more affordable to buyers, which in turn is leading to more home purchases and a stronger market. January was the eighth straight month that the number of home sales throughout New Jersey was higher in 2010 than in the same month of 2009.
Summit:
50% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 12.5% fewer properties available for sale. Median sales prices remained basically the same. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Summit was 9.2 months, compared to 34.8 months in Q4 of 2008.
Millburn/Short Hills:
45% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 18.2% fewer properties available for sale. Median sales prices were down 21.7%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Millburn/Short Hills was 5 months, compared to 9 months in Q4 of 2008.
Chatham Borough:
450% (!) more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 18.2% fewer properties available for sale. Median sales prices were down 21.7%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Chatham Borough was 3 months, compared to 12 months in Q4 of 2008.
Chatham Township:
33.3% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 11.5% fewer properties available for sale. Median sales prices were down 39.8%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Chatham Township was 7 months, compared to 16 months in Q4 of 2008.
Madison:
12.5% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were the same number of properties available for sale. Median sales prices were actually up 6.4%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Madison was 4 months, compared to 7 months in Q4 of 2008.
Morris Township:
128% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 6.2% more homes available for sale. Median sales prices were down 4.6%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Morris Township was 6 months, compared to 11 months in Q4 of 2008.
Morristown:
44% fewer homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 13% fewer homes available for sale. Median sales prices were down 3.1%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Morristown was 7 months, compared to 12 months in Q4 of 2008.
Randolph:
37.5% more homes were sold in January 2010 compared to January 2009, and there were 5.3% more homes available for sale. Median sales prices were actually up 4.9%. Looking back to Q4 of 2009, the absorption rate in Randolph was 6 months, compared to 10 months in Q4 of 2008.
Homeowners have you been waiting or hesitating to put your home on the market? Contact Judi for a consultation about the market trend in your town, and a free, no obligation Comparative Market Analysis of your home.
Judi Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Follow me on Twitter: @JudiParis
Quarterly Absorption Rate Data from the ‘Otteau Report’; the rest of the above data comes from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service.
Snapshot: Summit NJ Real Estate Market- January 2010
Looking at the real estate market, there were more positive changes than negative in Summit, NJ this past month.
Fewer Negatives:
- In Summit, NJ Home Sales Prices are down: The Median Sales Price of Summit NJ homes was down 37.4% from January 2010 and down 33.5% from December 2009.
- Homes are taking longer to sell: The average ‘days on market’ of Summit NJ homes was up 62.7% from January 2009, and up 20.1% from December 2009.
More Positives:
- More Summit, NJ properties sold: Summit NJ property sales were up a whopping 50% from January 2009
- Less Summit NJ properties are available for sale: The number of properties available for sale in Summit NJ was down 24.6% from January of last year.
- The Summit NJ Real Estate Market is stronger than it was: The ‘Months of Supply of Inventory’, an indicator of market strength, was lower than in both January of ’09 and ’08. This means that the Summit NJ Real Estate market was stronger January 2010 than that of both ’09 and ’08.
- Homes in Summit NJ are selling closer to their original list price: The January ‘Sales Price’ to ‘Original List Price’ Ratio of Summit NJ Homes was 92.2% in January 2010, compared to 86.7% in January 2009.
Judi Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Follow me on Twitter: @JudiParis
Clarification: Tax Relief Still in Effect for Mortgage Forgiveness
An important clarification for any homeowners facing the unfortunate possibility of a short sale or foreclosure: The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 was in fact extended through December 31st 2012 (before the 2008 elections, it had been due to expire December 31, 2009). Without the bill, when lenders forgave any debt on a property, homeowners were normally taxed on the sum forgiven. This bill provides tax relief to sellers whose mortgage on their primary residence was entirely or partly forgiven by their lender(s), and is limited to loan balances of $2 million or less (or $1 million for a married person filing a separate return). Also, qualifying debt is defined as that used to buy, build, or substantially improve a principal residence, or that used to refinance any qualifying debt (but only up to the amount of the mortgage principal prior to refinancing). More details can be found at http://bit.ly/21xuw3 http://bit.ly/JGuun. Please consult with an accountant for specifics.
Judi Paris, Broker/Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Realtors- Summit, NJ
(O) 908-522-3631 (C) 973-902-HOME
Visit me at: www.BestHomeResults.com
Visit me on Twitter: @JudiParis
