Hillsboro Office 217-532-2525 | Litchfield Office 217-324-4663

Hillsboro IL Homes for SaleHillsboro IL Homes for Sale

  • Home
  • Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Hot Property Alerts
    • Map Search
    • Upcoming Auctions
    • Address Search
    • Trending Searches
    • My Account
  • Featured
    • Our Featured Properties
    • Our Featured Auctions
    • Open Houses
    • Virtual Tours
    • Current Solds
    • Schools
  • Areas
    • Hillsboro
    • Litchfield
    • Coffeen
    • Witt
    • Nokomis
    • Taylor Springs
    • Irving
    • Panama
    • Donnellson
    • Raymond
    • See All
  • Buy
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Home Buyer Checklist
    • Local Links
    • Resources
  • Sell
    • What’s Your Home Worth?
    • Selling your Home at Auction
    • Seller Tips and Tools
    • Marketing Your Home
  • Rent
    • View all Rentals
    • Landlord List
  • Auctions
    • Upcoming Auctions
    • Selling your Home at Auction
    • Find out More!
  • Appraisals
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Agents
    • Client Reviews
    • Blog

Single-Family Housing Starts Remain Strong

Housing StartsThe market for newly-built homes remains strong.

As reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, July featured 502,000 single-family housing starts nationwide on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, marking the fourth straight month during which single-family starts posted north of one-half million.

The last time this milestone occurred was in the four months ending April 2010 — the last month of that year’s federal home buyer tax credit.

A “housing start” is a home on which construction has started and the rise in single-family housing starts is yet one more signal to buyers in Hillsboro and nationwide that the housing market has likely put its worst days behind it.

Home builders, it appears, agree with that sentiment.

Last week, the National Association of Homebuilders reported builder confidence to be at a 5-year high. Sales levels have been growing since January and builders expect the next six months to be blowout.

One of the main drivers of today’s new construction market is rising rental costs throughout many U.S. markets. It has helped to create an influx of new home buyers at a time when low mortgage rates have helped to keep new homes affordable.

As compared to one year ago, today’s home affordability is high.

  • July 2011 : A $1,000 mortgage payment afforded a loan size of $196,200
  • July 2012 : A $1,000 mortgage payment afforded a loan size of $223,000

That’s a 13.7% purchasing power increase in just twelve months — one reason why builders report buyer foot traffic through new construction at pre-recession levels.

The ability for buyers to access low downpayment mortgage programs is helping home sales, too.

The FHA offers a 3.5% down payment program and today’s home buyers are taking advantage. FHA mortgages now account for an estimated one-third of purchase money mortgages, and the VA and USDA are gaining market share, too, with their respective 100% financing program for certain qualified buyers.

With low rates, low downpayments and soon-to-rise home prices, it’s a good time to be a home buyer. If you’ve been shopping new construction, consider going under contract soon. As mortgage rates and prices rise, your personal home affordability falls.

Posted in: Blog Tagged: Census Bureau, Homebuilder Confidence, Housing Starts

Search Smarter

Did you know the hottest homes for sale in Hillsboro often sell within days of being listed? Don’t miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest homes as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the qualities that you want most in a home and save your search to start getting alerts today!

New Property Alerts

As local Hillsboro Real Estate Agents we also have access to homes before they hit the market and can show you more homes and information that are only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact us at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure… we hope to hear from you!

Post navigation

« How To Repair Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
States With The Highest And Lowest Closing Costs, 2012 »

Contact Us Now



(217) 532-2525 Hillsboro Office
(217) 324-4663 Litchfield Office

info@mcrealty.net
Hillsboro Office

551 S. Main St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049

Litchfield Office

410 N Monroe St.,
Suite 100
Litchfield, IL 62056

Hillsboro Company License #478.025162
Litchfield Company License #477.012410

Follow Us Now!


Quick Search Tools

  • Easy Search
  • Advanced Search
  • Address Search
  • Upcoming Auctions
  • Home Valuation
  • Map Search
  • My Account
  • Listing ID Search
  • Contact

Chat with us Now!

Click here to visit our Facebook page to chat with us now!

© 2022 · MCR Realty Professionals, Inc. · 217-532-2525 Hillsboro Office · 217-324-4663 Litchfield Office · MCR Agent Office · Agent IDX Login · Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Hillsboro IL Homes for Sale
Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved by MCR Realty Professionals, Inc.

AREAS WE COVER:

62049, 62089, 62056, 62017, 62075, 62094
Hillsboro, Litchfield, Coffeen, Nokomis, Witt

Log in · Real Estate Websites by Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe.com