Accepted Offers remain high despite low Inventory

The number of Accepted Offers (AO) for SFHs received in Essex County last week increased modestly to a 2020 high of 159.

This is the chart I post each week showing the weekly numbers compared with 2019. Note that Holy Week was week 14 in 2020 and week 16 in 2019. To make it easier to read I have started the chart at week 9 (March 6, 2020; March 8, 2019):

And this is the percentage change compared with the same week in 2019.

Ignoring the spike in week 16 as a result of the timing of Holy Week, the trend shows that the percentage decline slowed from around 50% to under 10% before increasing to 20% last week. Note, however, that the corresponding week in 2019 saw a spike compared with the weeks before and after it.

And… look at this table:

Inventory is down more than 40% from last year – and has been running 30-40% below last year’s numbers all year –  yet the number of Accepted Offers recently has been quite close to last year’s levels,

Comment
The real estate industry – professionals involved in transactions, as well as buyer and sellers – has adapted to the COVID-19 world. Buyers are out there, inventory remains low and bidding wars are back. In fact, with inventory down 40% YOY it is clear that properties are now selling more quickly than they were a year ago. Thus buyers need to have all their ducks in line – most importantly, a current pre-approval letter – before considering making an offer.
Also, bear in mind that some sellers – a diminishing number as confidence in the measures now in place for viewing become established-  are requesting that their properties not be listed in MLS, so if you are checking on Zillow you might not be seeing all that is available.: you need to speak to a real estate agent.

Goodbye Boston, Hello Marblehead

“If you’re interested in Marblehead, you have to visit the blog of Mr. Andrew Oliver, author and curator of OliverReports.com. He’s assembled the most comprehensive analysis of Essex County we know of with market data and trends going back decades. It’s a great starting point for those looking in the towns of Marblehead, Sale, Beverly, Lynn and Swampscott.”

Andrew Oliver
Market Analyst | Team Harborside | teamharborside.com
REALTOR®

Sagan Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty
One Essex Street | Marblehead, MA 01945
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