Oklahoma City Market for February 2009

Oklahoma City Recognition

• The metro area’s average sales price for 2008 was $151,700, an
increase of 0.84% compared with 2007. Statewide, the average sales
price for the year was $149,482, an increase of 0.52% compared with
2007 (The Oklahoman, 02/21/2009)
• Oklahoma home builders are bracing for a rush of buyers now through
November 30 when the first time home buyer credit expires.
Oklahoma’s market, because it’s relatively strong, could respond to
the stimulus faster than areas where housing values have plummeted,
said Steven R. Plaisance, president of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers
Association and executive vice president of secondary marketing for
Arvest Mortgage Company in Tulsa. “Our affordable home prices and
the historically great mortgage rates make this a good deal for
Oklahomans,” he said. (www.NewsOK.com, 02/18/2009)
• Oklahoma State University’s School of Architecture has earned a
place among the top 20 in a nationwide survey of architectural
undergraduate programs. (The Oklahoman, 02/07/2009)
• Oklahoma’s two largest counties both had above-average employment
and wage growth in the second quarter of 2008. Among 334 large
counties in the U.S., Oklahoma County ranked ninth in rate wage
growth with an over-the-year increase of 6% to $777 a week. Wages in
Tulsa County rose 3.2% to $766, also above the 2.6% national
average. (www.NewsOK.com, 02/03/2009)
• Oklahoma City based Paycom, an online payroll processor, grew its
revenues 89% in 2008 despite a slumping economy. (The Oklahoman,
02/24/2009). Courtesy of Opubco.

www.WyattPoindexter.com

Existing-home sales to hold in narrow range, then begin upward trend

The housing market may continue to be in the buyer's column over the next few months, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors. Sales activity is likely to remain soft during the next six months, in spite of low interest rates and lower prices. However, pent-up demand will likely bring potential buyers off the sidelines to boost home sales in the second half of the year. An economic stimulus package that increases access to conventional and government loans can also have a strong impact on the market.
"Existing-home sales have moved narrowly since last September, but when the full impact of higher loan limits for conventional mortgages begins to impact the market there is likely to be a notable rise in home sales and prices," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "If higher limits are enacted very quickly, we'll see a faster and more meaningful recovery by expanding safe, affordable financing in high-cost areas – that, in turn, would help to stimulate overall economic activity."
"Areas with a high prevalence of subprime lending will continue to feel downward price pressure. Where builders have cut construction sharply, and in most areas with improving affordability conditions, we'll generally see moderately higher home prices," Yun said.
New-home sales are likely to decline 17.7% to 637,000 in 2008 before rising 7.6% to 685,000 in 2009. "Builders will further lower new home construction throughout this year and into 2009 to bring inventory under control," Yun said. Housing starts, including multifamily units, are estimated to fall 20.1% to 1.08 million this year, and decline another 1.3% to 1.07 million in 2009. The median new-home price is expected to fall 4.3% 2008, and then increase 5.0% in 2009.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is forecast to rise slowly to the 5.9% range in the fourth quarter, and then average 6.3% in 2009. "Affordability conditions are anticipated to rise 14.2% this year, permitting more people to become homeowners, but buyers should avoid aggressive lenders and not over-stretch to enter the market," Yun said. NAR's housing affordability index is expected to rise from 113 in 2007 to 129 in 2008.

Oklahoma City January Listing Of The Month

12801 Plum Hollow Drive in Val Verde

$829,900

Enter this 2007 remodeled home and experience a new standard of luxury living. This Gil Wright home has every amenity imaginable for the home owner who wants the very best. Precisely an entertainer’s dream, this home is set to please the largest of parties. The use of stone and brick combine to create a home of unparalleled beauty. Situated on approximately 1.5 acres of prime real estate, the new owner will find 5 bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 5 living areas, a gourmet kitchen, 4 fireplaces, custom pool, flagstone patio/deck and spa with fountain, a grand foyer, holiday closet, photography room, and a oversized three car garage that is sure to please all in a home that has approximately 5,300 square feet. Whether your looking for a grand home to entertain or the ease of comfortable and quiet family living this home truly offers it all. View this home's professional photos and virtual tours at: http://www.WyattPoindexter.com/

Wyatt Poindexter
Keller Williams Realty
5629 N. Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 7311
405-948-7500
405-417-5466
wyatt@wyattpoindexter.com

Oklahoma Real Estate Marked by Lower Home Prices

The Real Estate market in Oklahoma City hasn't witnessed the scary price appreciation that has swept coastal areas of the country in recent years, even as soaring energy prices have helped boost job levels in the region. The energy market plays a role in job creation in the area because Oklahoma is one of the largest natural gas-producing states in the country. Median home prices in the metropolitan area, which gained world-wide attention when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed in 1995, rose 14% between 2002 and 2005, compared with a 22% gain nationally. Fourth-quarter median home prices in Oklahoma City reached $121,700, well below the $213,000 national level. Some economists say markets that offer relatively low-priced housing with economies tied to the energy sector, like Oklahoma City, which is home to such Fortune 500 companies as Devon Energy Corp. and Kerr-McGee Corp., could still get a kick if fuel prices remain high.

For more Real Estate resources: www.WyattPoindexter.com

Most Expensive Zip Codes in the U.S. for 2007

In case you missed it last week, Forbes published their list of the 500 most expensive zip codes in the U.S. for 2007.
07620 (Alpine, New Jersey) and 33109 (Fisher Island, Miami Beach, Florida) tied for the top spot, with a median price of $3.4 Million.
The rankings are based on median sale prices from June 2006 to July 2007 and are dominated by zips in California, Florida, and the NYC metro area. If the rankings surprise you, it is worth noting that, as with all such studies, the methodology determines the results. As the author notes:
Though often shorthand for neighborhoods, ZIP CODES don't change to reflect shifting neighborhood or demographic boundaries. The result? Our list is a bit slanted toward low-density enclaves like Alpine, where there are 333 people per square mile, as opposed to parts of Manhattan, where there are 45,800 people per square mile and a larger variance of home prices.

Cost of Doing Business in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's cost of doing business is among the lowest in the nation, as reported in the annual Milken Institute Cost of Doing Business Index, released this week. Oklahoma was ranked No. 40, with a cost of doing business 85.4 percent of the national average.
Hawaii holds the distinction of having the highest cost of doing business at 51.5 percent above the U.S. average. New York and Alaska also were ranked high.
The ranking is example of Oklahoma's competitive advantage in attracting businesses to the state. Oklahoma is 8 percent below Colorado, 9 percent below Louisiana, and 12 percent below New Mexico.
Oklahoma performed best in industrial rental rates at 68.9 percent of the national average. Other factors below the U.S. norm were wage costs, 80.7 percent; office rental prices, 81.6 percent; and electricity costs, 89.2 percent.
Source: Oklahoma Department of Commerce