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Health & Fitness

BLOG: Here's a Quick Way to Calculate the Real Estate Absorption Rate

Calculating the Market's Absorption Rate is important for Sellers. During my On-site Price Opinion, we calculate the absorption rates for your Home…

This is calculated by establishing how many purchases were made in the past six months within a given set of parameters. Next, we find how many homes are currently on the market with the same set of parameters. By dividing the number of current listings by the number of buyers per month, we arrive at the absorption rate. Dakota County has the second lowest rate, 6.9 months. Absorption rates are like golf scores, the lower the better, if you are a home seller!

If we could stop any more listings from coming onto the market in that specific set of parameters, it would take 6.9 months to sell the listings in Dakota County, given the current rate of purchases made by buyers.

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I find it interesting how the absorption rate can vary, based on different sets of criteria.  For example, today in Lakeville, using the criteria of all two-story style Homes in Lakeville, MN, the absorption rate is 6.6 months. However, when the criteria is changed to be two-story style homes in Lakeville, MN, with 3,500+ finished square feet, the absorption rate is just 4.83.

This isn’t so surprising because it reflects the idea that buyers are purchasing the best values on the market and square footage is one measure of a home’s value.

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The National Association defines a balanced market as five months worth of inventory! Higher than five months indicates a buyer’s market and lower than five months indicates a seller’s market.

Using this absorption rate, and how it varies with changed in criteria, really helps illustrate where Buyers are Buying. Data showing which style of homes, neighborhood, or ages of homes buyers seem to prefer is priceless information for Sellers competing in this marketplace. We can calculate the current absorption rate for your home, just send an email with your Home’s City, Style, Year Built and Square Footage and we will run some absorption rate comparisons for you!  We are always happy to help.

Anoka County…………..7.2 months
Carver County………….8.6 months
Dakota County………….6.9 months
Hennepin County………5.1 months
Ramsey County…………8.2 months
Scott County…………….7.9 months
Washington County……8.6 month

Read what Sheryl’s clients say about working with Sheryl and the Selling South of the River Team!

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