Area housing market improving: Home sales up in Lee, Whiteside
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STERLING – Sauk Valley home sales have improved since this time last year.
Lee County sales rose 10 percent between the fourth quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, said Dawn Nielsen, president of the Sauk Valley Association of Realtors.
While the average sales prices in Lee County went up 16 percent, median home prices rose 25 percent. Active listings fell 8 percent.
Whiteside County home sales saw an 8 percent increase. The average sales price went up 3 percent and the median sales price increased 6 percent. Active listings dropped 7 percent.
“It’s a really good outlook,” Nielsen said.
Homeowner Jaclyn Sumner of Rock Falls concurs.
“It’s a buyer’s market,” Sumner said.
The 3-bedroom, 1-bath two-story Avenue C home that Sumner shares with her husband, Chuck, 33, sons Ryder, 1, Hayden, 4, two dogs and a cat is on the market.
“We’ve outgrown our home,” she said, and the search for a rural Whiteside County home has begun.
The Sumners have lived in their house for 6 years.
“I grew up out in the country. There’s nothing like it. I want my kids to have that,” she said.
Her home has been on the market less than a week, but if they can find a buyer, the Sumners are more than ready to snatch up a 4-bedroom, 2-bath house on 2 acres in rural Morrison.
“Houses in the country don’t come up for sale very often,” Sumner said.
Selling her house by August is the goal. Since Hayden begins kindergarten this year, Sumner would like to be moved by September.
Nielsen, a Realtor with RE/MAX Unlimited, is helping the Sumners with their real estate adventure.
Getting financing in place has been somewhat painless as well. Sumner is working with Jessica Friis of Top Flite Financial in Rock Falls.
“I’ve lucked out twice,” she said, referring to working with Friis and Nielsen.
Sumner would like good things to come in threes.
“I’m hoping for a little luck, so we can get a little piece of the American dream,” she said.
Friis marveled at the current real estate market.
“We’ve been so busy, I’ve haven’t been sleeping. It’s been the best two months of my career,” she said.
Friis has worked at Top Flite Financial for 5 years; the company works predominantly with first-time homebuyers. The federal first-time homebuyers tax credit brought people in, Friis said, but it didn’t attract different clientele.
“I closed more than I thought I would,” she said.
Low interest rates are spurring sales, Friis said.
Nielsen agreed. She’s confident the Sauk Valley housing market will remain strong. In fact, Nielsen said it should fare better than some other places.
The Sauk Valley didn’t see the big boom in prices other areas did. “It’s been slow and steady,” she said.
The sunset of the homebuyers tax credit will affect the market, but necessity and low interest rates will be mitigating factors, Nielsen said.
“Everybody’s situation changes. People need a house to fit their needs. It will be a good summer.”
