Punxsutawney Phil called for an early spring and the Charlotte housing market was already one step ahead of him. The market is moving and doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Dr. Lawrence Yum, Chief Economist at The National Association of Realtors, recently visited the Queen City and agrees, “You are in a very good Market”!
Charlotte is one of 10 markets in the country that will outperform the national average for home appreciation in the next five years. And, according to Yum, Charlotte has seen twice the job growth than the national average over the past 20 years. Not only that, but weekly wage growth has grown by 33% in the last dozen years. That’s a recipe for a strong market! Yum also expects optimism in the stock market thanks to the recent Canada-Mexico Trade agreement and fading discussion about a 2020 recession.
Charlotte’s home market is not without its challenges. In December inventory dropped to 1.7 months, historically low (three months is considered a healthy market), and Millennials continue to put off home ownership as they tackle college debt and postpone marriage. ………And then there are those ugly unresolved national issues including divided government, deficit spending, and affordable housing hanging over housing.
But all problems aside, Dr. Yum expects us to see the return of the Millennials and for Charlotte to outperform the national averages by 5%. He is forecasting improvement in real estate four out of the next five years. Exciting times and welcome news for home Sellers! And, the perfect time to give us a call. Let’s find a new home this spring!