Existing home sales rose 3.4 percent over last year in April and the National Association of REALTORS has reported that the first quarter of 2012 has been the strongest for home sales since 2007. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist said “It is no longer just the investors who are taking advantage of high affordability conditions. A return of normal home buying for occupancy is helping home sales across all price points and now the recovery appears to be extending to home prices.”

We believe that there are many factors contributing to improving conditions. We are seeing all time low mortgage rates with Freddie Mac reporting the national average rate for a 30 year, fixed rate, conventional mortgage at 3.91 percent in April. With that trend, first-time buyers rose to 35% of purchasers in April. As confidence in the market continues to rise we will see even more improvement.

NAR President, Moe Veissi, highlights how important it is for home buyers to look into financing at the early stages of searching for a home stating, “With the tight lending environment it’s a good idea to consult with a REALTOR about mortgages and program options in your area and tips for boosting your credit score well in advance of making an offer on a home.” Being pre-approved is one of the strongest negotiation tools a buyer can have on their side. You may find out more about the process in a previous post titled

For sellers, we see a lowering percentage of foreclosures and distressed homes on the market which is helping home prices. Yun said, “We now have broad shortages of lower priced homes in much of the country, with very tight supply in Western states for homes through the middle price ranges. This is good news for many sellers who wish to list now or for those waiting for prices to improve.” In April, the median existing single family home price was up 10.4% from April of 2011 nationally. In the South, existing home sales rose 3.5% in April and was 6.5% higher than a year ago with the median price raising 8% from April of 2011.

As we move forward further into 2012 with an eye on 2013 economists predict that conditions will continue to improve. As a buyer, now may be just the right time to start searching for your perfect Smoky Mountain home. With plenty of inventory to choose from and favorable lending rates, why not stop by our and see what the market has to offer?

Here Are A Few Of My Featured Listings:

Smoky Mountain Views Found Here! Magnificent mountain views but just minutes to downtown Gatlinburg. This mountain get away is perfect for the buyer looking for a prime location at a great price. Type: Single Family Home Location: Chalet Village Price: $147,900 Get more information >

 

Character, Details & Views! Pictures do not do justice to the view! Picturesque home with tons of space and lots of windows. Wine cellar/tasting room are just one of the many unique features you will enjoy. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $384,200 Get more information >

 

Come Be A Happy Bear Great rental potential with $12,270 in rental income just for August – December of 2011. Type: Single Family Home Location: Gatlinburg ,Tennessee Price: $269,900 Get more information >