After an excellent year with a dynamic market and rising prices, US property is looking forward to further growth and excellent investment returns in 2016. Next year will see the consolidation of smaller urban markets as a preference among buyers and residential property as the best option for investors.
Buying a property in the US is at its most affordable for two years despite rising house prices. Counties with the most affordable property include several in the Midwest and some analysts describe now as a “historic time” to buy Florida property.
Yet again Florida ranks as the top state for international buyers. One of four foreigners buying US property chose the Sunshine State. Apartments were the preferred type of Florida property for the international investor.
Latest statistics for new construction reveal that the US property market is still a long way from fulfilling demand. The number of new homes entering the market sits at rock-bottom levels while demand for property continues to soar across the country.
US property prices continue their upward trend and rose nationally by 6.9 per cent in the year to July. Furthermore, analysts predict further price increases over the next 12 months when they expect an average rise of 4.7 per cent. The price of property, however, still remains below its historic high.
Two recent surveys related to US property point to a market where homeownership is falling steadily in favour of rental, particularly among the first-home buyers. While the number of Americans who own their own home is at its lowest quarterly level since 1993, those who rent are at their highest level for 20 years.
Increasing mortgage rates and growing employment opportunities are fuelling the US property market where prices surged practically across the country in Q2 this year. Demand at levels not seen since before the economic crisis has pushed supply levels down to just over 5 months, putting further pressure on the already high demand market for US rental properties.
Property investment at global levels continues from strength to strength this year despite economic uncertainty over the Greek bailout and the Chinese stock exchange crisis. Transaction volumes rose by 9 per cent in the second quarter of this year with the US occupying the position as favourite investment destination. Demand was particularly high among investors for rental apartments in the US.
Tampa Bay property turns out to be one of the best deals in the US when it comes to beachfront homes. The coastal location of Port Richey offers the cheapest waterfront property in the entire country, but this may not last for long because sales and prices of single family homes rose significantly in June.
June figures for property in Florida show more sales, higher prices and lower supply as the Sunshine State continues to attract new residents. The market for single family homes in Florida is particularly buoyant with two-digit price rises and booming sales.
The US real estate industry is “strongly confident” about the outlook for market conditions over the next six months. Optimism levels soar for sales of single family homes in Florida and Texas, and price rises for property throughout the country are expected to be at 3.6 per cent over the coming year.
Average rental yields on US property showed mixed results during the first five months of this year. Some counties registered year-on-year rises, whilst in others there were slight decreases as the housing market stabilised. However, overall, buy-to-let property in the US continues to be “a brilliant strategy”.
More buyers, increased sales and higher prices are set to characterise the US property market for the rest of this year. With the job market booming and the US economy growing, experts predict the housing shortage will continue at least until 2017.
The US remains attractive to worldwide investors who spent more than ever on property there last year. Florida property continues to appeal to most foreign buyers who show an overwhelming preference for single family homes in suburban areas.
May figures for property in Florida show a market with rising indices. Sales and median prices have both increased in what experts are describing as a robust market. The only decreases can be found in inventory levels, now declining across the board, a situation that is expected to herald further rapid price rises.
A new report on homeownership and household formation reveals some interesting findings regarding the market for rental properties in US. It finds that although new households are set to rise, the number of renters will greatly outpace the number of homeowners. This has considerable implications for buy-to-let properties throughout the US between now and 2030.
