To borrow a baseball term, the news for Lincoln area home sellers these days is akin to hitting a “grand slam” homerun.  There’s excellent news on four real estate fronts.

1. Home sales prices are improving. According to numbers from the Realtors Association of Lincoln, the average 2012 sales price of a single family home in the Lincoln area was $160,159. That’s a 7% jump over the average 2011 sales price of $149,014. This past year also saw the highest average sales price the Lincoln area has seen in five years.

2. The total number of single family homes sold in the Lincoln area was up dramatically in 2012. The number of homes sold last year was 4,139, an increase of more than 600 homes over 2011. The Lincoln area’s biggest sales year was 2004 when 4,581 homes sold.

3. There’s less housing inventory. This means less competition for home sellers because there are fewer homes available for buyers to buy.  In December, 2012 there were 1,334 single family homes listed for sale on the Lincoln MLS.  That’s down from 1,486 in December, 2011. It’s way down from the 2,050 single family homes available for sale in December, 2008.

4. Interest rates remain at historic lows.  Mortgage News Daily reports the average 30 year fixed rate mortgage is 3.39% this month.  In January 2012, it averaged 3.92%. A 30 year fixed rate mortgage in January 2010 averaged 5.03%.

Summary: With sales prices improving, more people buying homes, fewer homes available, and historically low mortgage rates, conditions are excellent for sellers in the present Lincoln area real estate market.

 Posted by Joanne McCoy

The past couple of years there has been a response to the national economic indicators with a general insecurity about spending money in general. This year that seemed to lighten up, and we continued as Realtors to stress that all markets are local. Lincoln has very strong economic indicators, with very low unemployment and community investment in several new projects.

The local market saw a distinct jump in a positive direction. Most impressive is that year-end residential sales closings were up 18 percent from both 2010 and 2011. New construction permits were up, and lot sales were brisk.

There was an odd sense of “watch and wait” through the election time and through the “Fiscal Cliff” deliberations. Our clients wanting to discuss their plans for Spring of 2013 have started calling early this year, and with interest rates still at such low rates, the coming year should be a strong one for real estate buying and selling.

The future is especially bright for the millennium buyers who are hoping to experience their first-time home buying process. The first-time home buyer programs do not offer tax credits anymore, but there are a lot of future homeowners realizing that they can qualify for affordable home mortgages with some very good loan programs.

 Posted by Susan Ferris

Woods Bros Realty is rocking into 2012 with increases all around. Take advantage of the buyers we’re working with due to low interest rates, and consider listing your home in this sellers’ market. Call a Woods professional today!

Here are the January numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $20,299,97 Total Volume Closed (Up 16% from Jan. 2011)
• 135 Total Sides Closed (Up 23% from Jan. 2011)
• 271 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 24% from Jan. 2011)
• 521,533 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 55,622 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 7,326 User Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 69 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,289 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 232 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,277 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 121 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,567 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 197 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

We ended the year with a strong month, making our final 2011 better than 2010. It is a sellers market out there, as the inventory of listings for sale is extremely low. Here are the December numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $35,560,565 Total Volume Closed (Up 3% from Dec. 2010)
• 264 Total Sides Closed (Up 18% from Dec. 2010)
• 206 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 36% from Dec. 2010)
• 327,679 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 36,317 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 4,573 User Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 34 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 913 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 152 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,231 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 84 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,266 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 20 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Business is still going strong for this time of year. Here are the November numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $38,523,472 Total Volume Closed (Up 57% from Nov. 2010)
• 252,5 Total Sides Closed (Up 62% from Nov. 2010)
• 224 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 4% from Nov. 2010)
• 371,269 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 41,383 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 5,040 Users Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 57 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 875 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 135 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,520 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 111 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,909 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 562 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

From KCM Blog:

There is more and more research coming out showing that it makes great financial sense to purchase a home today . Whether it be rent vs. buy ratios, income-to-price ratios or income-to-mortgage payment ratios, purchasing a home right now is a bargain compared to historic norms. Now we want to look at the COST of a home today compared to pre-peak prices.

According to the most recent S&P Case Shiller price index, residential real estate values have returned to 2003 1Q PRICEs. That, in itself, says something. However, when you factor in mortgage rates, the case for buying a home today becomes even more compelling.

In 2003, 30 year mortgage rates stood at 5.88%. Today, they are 4%. How does that impact the actual COST of a home? On a home purchased for $250,000, here is the difference in monthly cost:

That means you save $285.30 a month, $3,423.60 a year and $102,708 over the life of a 30 year mortgage! You buy the home for the same PRICE but the COST is over $100,000 less.

Bottom Line

This is why so many financial advisors are saying that this may be one of the greatest times in history to purchase a home.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the October numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $33,557,185 Total Volume Closed (Down 6% from Oct. 2010)
• 263 Total Sides Closed (Up 26% from Oct. 2010)
• 265 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 46% from Oct. 2010)
• 451,105 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 48,749 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 5,775 Users Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 47 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 913 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 394 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,338 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 186 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,026 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 394 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

September looks great compared with the same time last year. Absorption rate, or the supply of homes on the market, is indicating that we are in a Buyer’s Market in most price ranges. Coupled with all-time low interest rates, there are great buys out there!

Here are the September numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $41,164,675 Total Volume Closed (Up 32% from Sept. 2010)
• 274 Total Sides Closed (Up 34% from Sept. 2010)
• 335 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 78% from Sept. 2010)
• 408,108 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 44,709 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 4,771 Users Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 48 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 995 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 529 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,446 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 173 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,700 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 219 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the August numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $43,535,123 Total Volume Closed (Up 11% from August 2010)
• 277 Total Sides Closed (Up 33% from August 2010)
• 307 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 23% from August 2010)
• 452,373 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 51,967 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 5,485 Users Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 49 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,174 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 790 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,747 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 187 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,389 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 229 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the July numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $44,869,985 Total Volume Closed (Up 60% from July 2010)
• 286 Total Sides Closed (Up 60% from July 2010)
• 300 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 24% from July 2010)
• 468,427 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 50,884 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 75 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,364 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 147 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 963 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 201 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,689 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 2,188 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the June numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $41,032,338 Total Volume Closed (Down 36% from May 2011)
• 309 Total Sides Closed (Up 6% from May 2011)
• 287 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 23% from June 2010)
• 442,353 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 49,963 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 34 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,313New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 144 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 963 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 244 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,346 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 111 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the May numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $64,290,304 Total Volume Closed (Up 78%% from Apr. 2011)
• 291 Total Sides Closed (Up 24%% from Apr. 2011)
• 292 Sides Placed Under Contract (Down 11% from Apr. 2011)
• 481,991 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 55,583 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 42 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,104 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 92 New Customers on WoodsBros.com
• 1,072 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 244 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,998 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 1,663 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Here are the April numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $36,136,601 Total Volume Closed (Down 14% from Mar. 2011)
• 235.55 Total Sides Closed (Down 1% from Mar. 2011)
• 328 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 2% from Mar. 2011)
• 514,038 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 55,908 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 54 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,130 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 116 New Customers on WoodsBros.com
• 820 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 166 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 3,276 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 126 Views at MyWoodsBrosTV.com (launched end of month)

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

According to the city Building & Safety office, permits were pulled in 78 Lincoln subdivisions. Twenty-five percent of these subdivisions accounted for 77% of all permits pulled last year. Our mystery area had nearly three times more construction than the second most active area, accounting for 42 of the 370 total permits pulled for new construction. The next most active development had just 15.

This mystery area encompasses more than 500 Acres of residential and 130 acres of commercial properties with plans for parks, trails, premier shopping and more. The development is now moving forward with opening its fourth addition, offering 110 premium home sites. This area touts “Distinctive Living Where Dreams Come Alive.”

If you guessed an area in South Lincoln, you would be right! The Wilderness Hills development is one of Lincoln’s newest and finest additions, nestled in a prime location in South Lincoln, located one-half mile south of S. 27th Street and Yankee Hill Road, close to SouthPointe.

Make plans to see this new development at this year’s Spring Parade of Homes. There are seven featured homes in the Wilderness Hills area, with an opening Celebration for everyone on Sunday, May 8th. The Celebration includes roses for the first 250 moms in attendance along with inflatable games for the kids, a Grand Prize Drawing, LIVE Radio Remote from 2-4pm, prize drawings at the featured homes, and food & beverages.

If you have been considering building a new home in Lincoln, take a look a Wilderness Hills.

Woods Bros Realtor Vladimir Oulianov represents several builders who have constructed the majority of homes built at Wilderness Hills. Each of these builders is Energy Star Certified, meaning they build healthy and efficient homes to reduce impact on the environment as well as save the home owner money on utilities.

To learn more about Wilderness Hills and new energy efficient homes, visit www.NewEfficientHomes.com.

 Posted by Vladimir Oulianov

Here are the March numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $42,066,947 Total Volume Closed (Up 63% from Feb. 2011)
• 237 Total Sides Closed (up 47% from Feb. 2011)
• 322 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 40% from Feb. 2011)
• 588,006 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 61,276 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 67 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 1,202 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 116 New Customers on WoodsBros.com
• 1,558 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty