Foreclosures comprise nearly 50 percent of Phoenix existing-home activity

Two negative trends are currently clouding the Phoenix, Ariz. area housing market, according to a new report from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. August marked the third consecutive month that the median existing-home price dropped in the Valley. Also, foreclosures made up their highest percentage of existing-home activity since back in January.
“Foreclosures accounted for 45 percent of the existing home market activity in August,” said Associate Professor of Real Estate Jay Butler, who authored the report. “When you add in resales of previously foreclosed-on homes, all of this foreclosure-related activity represents a full two-thirds of the market’s transactions in August.”
Approximately 4,000 foreclosures were recorded in Maricopa County in August. That’s slightly up from about 3,900 foreclosures in July, nearly 1,000 more than last August’s total of about 3,100. Sales activity overall is slowing down, now that summer is over. In August, 4,800 homes were re-sold, down from nearly 5,100 in July and 6,000 re-sales last August.
“It’s not unusual to see the resale home activity slow as the selling season comes to an end,” said Butler. “As the year comes to an end, median prices often decline in response to holiday and school activities that allow little time or desire to buy a home. Beyond the impact of foreclosure activity, the absence of a strong move-up market, will also limit any growth in home prices.”
The median home re-sale price for August was $135,000, down from $137,500 in July, $143,000 in June and $144,000 in May, demonstrating a sustained slide. Last August, the median was at $138,000.
“Although current interest rates and home prices are very attractive, homeowners don’t seem to be motivated to buy,” said Butler. “This lack of motivation can be attributed to anemic economic and job recovery, low consumer confidence and stricter underwriting guidelines, among other factors.”
The townhouse/condominium market saw 630 foreclosures in August. That’s up from 590 in July and way up from 380 last August. The median townhome/condo price continues to plunge. It was at $80,000 in August, all the way down from $105,000 last August.
The full report, including statistics, charts and a breakdown by different areas of the Valley, can be viewed by clicking here.
For more information, visit wpcarey.asu.edu or knowledge.wpcarey.asu.edu.