Cranford remains one of the most sought after towns in Union County. Here’s what’s been happening in the Cranford real estate market this month.

Inventory

There were 75 homes offered for sale in Cranford in December compared to the 12 month average of 104 homes. 36 homes were sold in December which is a terrific improvement over the 14 homes that sold in November, bringing the 12 month average to 23 homes per month.

 

Inventory and sales are variable  monthly as shown by the peaks and valleys in the graph above. Some variability can also be attributed to homes that are more desirable or less desirable than the average Cranford home. Homes that are in exceptional condition or well priced won’t stay on the market long, whereas distressed properties or homes in disrepair stay around longer and cause data variations. Even conditions such as weather affect home sales – fewer buyers are out looking on days that are oppressively hot or rainy.

Realtors use an analysis called Months of Inventory to evaluate the real estate market. The Months of Inventory is equal to how long it would take to sell the existing inventory if no new houses were put on the market.  When the Months of Inventory is below four months, realtors call it a seller’s market because the supply is relatively low so sellers have a stronger position in negotiations between a buyer and a seller. When the Months of Inventory is above seven months, realtors call it a buyer’s market because the supply is relatively high and buyers have a stronger position in negotiations. Months of Inventory between four and seven is considered a normal market with a good balance of buyers and sellers.

Cranford has 2.08 months of inventory, a significant rebound after November’s 7.5 months of inventory. After a slow autumn, the winter market in Cranford is picking up. Some experts believe that the spring real estate market is starting early.

Prices

The average sale price of a home sold in Cranford in December was $514,071 – a nice rebound since November’s average sale price of $427,822 and better than the 12 month average of $487,852. Higher prices often accompany decreased inventory.

 

The important thing to note about the graph is not the variability but rather the overall long term trend which is represented by the straight black and blue lines which show a healthy increase in home list prices and sale prices in Cranford over the past seven years.

Days on Market

The homes that were sold in December in Cranford had been on the market for an average of 38 days –  faster than the 12 month average in Cranford of 40 days and also faster than the 40 days we averaged in December of 2018.   As inventory decreases, days on market also often decreases. Homes that are in better condition, are priced better, or are marketed more strongly tend to sell faster.

The overall trend line in this graph shows a strong decrease in days on market in Cranford going back seven years.

What this means for buyers:

• Be educated. Learn what kind of home you want. Decide with your family members what you need in a home and what you want in a home.
• Be informed. Spend some time getting to know the inventory. Learn what homes look like in your price range. Learn what home features you can afford.
• Be ready. Have your pre-approval ready so that you can act quickly when you find your perfect home.

What this means for sellers:

• If you’re on the fence about selling your home, this may be the perfect opportunity to get the most money in the shortest amount of time.
• Even in a shrinking inventory situation, you’re still competing with other homes on the market. View the other homes that are offered for sale and make sure your home is the best one in its price range.
• Make your home available for potential buyers.

To read more about the real estate market in Cranford, please read our earlier market reports here.  For more information on how Team Zuhl can help you, please click here or call us at 908-917-4189.