The National Association of Realtors recorded a 2 percent fall in the median price of homes, now $154,700 — the lowest price tag since November 2001. According to experts, the median cost deems that half of homes are depreciating and the other half are appreciating in value. In the past decade, the economic state of this country has been on a rollercoaster, causing 35 percent of homes for sale (as of January 2012) to be foreclosures or short sales, a headache for millions of homeowners.
"Prices will continue to fall through the first half of 2012 due to the high share of distressed sales," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist with PNC Financial. "The recent agreement between the big mortgage servicers, state attorneys general and the Obama administration will also result in more homes going to foreclosure over the next few months, adding to downward pressure on prices." Low costs and even lower mortgage rates have caused a surge in sales similar to when buyers were rushing to use their $8,000 tax credit. Showing signs of recovery, experts hope this market change will give more people the opportunity to own their own dwellings.
Is this news to be excited about or should homebuyers be leery of another mortgage crisis?
