© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

High-End Housing Market - 5/21/14

Reflecting the increasing disparities in income and wealth in America, the high-end housing market remains active even while lower priced properties face waning demand.  Home purchases of $1 million or more rose 7.8 percent in March from a year earlier according to recently released data supply by the National Association of Realtors.  By contrast, transactions of $250,000 or less, while represent nearly two-thirds of the market, fell 12 percent. 

Luxury home sales continue to climb in the midst of an improving economy and stock valuations that have nearly tripled since 2009.  A U.S. price record for a single family home was recently established with the $120 million sale of a waterfront mansion on 50 acres in Greenwich, Connecticut.  In February, loan applications for home purchases of $500,000 or more rose while declining for all other levels according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. 

Meanwhile, slow wage growth, tight credit standards and rising prices have put homeownership out of reach for many Americans.  Moreover, as reported in Bloomberg, investors have been draining the market of lower-end properties, leaving even fewer options for prospective first-time and entry level buyers.

Anirban Basu, Chariman Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group (SPG), is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants. Prior to founding SPG he was Chairman and CEO of Optimal Solutions Group, a company he co-founded and which continues to operate. Anirban has also served as Director of Applied Economics and Senior Economist for RESI, where he used his extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region to support numerous clients in their strategic decision-making processes. Clients have included the Maryland Department of Transportation, St. Paul Companies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and the Martin O'Malley mayoral campaign.