The numbers are in… raising eyebrows mind you!
The second three months of 2016 proved challenging for many of the 12 individual markets monitored by TOWN & COUNTRY. All three criteria in the analysis showed significant drops: The Number of Home Sales dropped in eight of the 12 hamlets and the Total Homes Sales Volume and Median Home Sales Price both realized declines in nine of the 12 locales.
Southampton Village and East Hampton Village, two prime crown jewels of Hamptons Real Estate, both suffered significant declines in all three criteria. In fact, East Hampton Village’s drop of 53% in Total Homes Sales Volume ($95M to $45M year to year) was the greatest of all markets, with Southampton Village not far behind dropping 48% from $86M to $45M.
Reviewing last year’s TOWN & COUNTRY’S 2nd Quarter Home Sales Report, you will notice 2015 experienced a similar set of declines when compared to 2014. Hopefully, this is not a trend!
Thankfully, the report was not all doom and gloom. Sag Harbor Area (which includes Noyack and North Haven) posted the highest gains in the Number of Home Sales at a 100% leap from 17 in 2015 to 34 in 2016. Further, the Total Homes Sales Volume rose from $23.5M to $58M.
Sag Harbor Village and Shelter Island both showed strong growth in the Number of Home Sales, Total Homes Sales Volume and Median Home Sales Price. Is there a shift in focus to the quaint boutique markets from the estate sections, or is it a function of price?
The darling hamlet of Amagansett experienced an unexpected pull back in activity with 35% fewer homes trading hands — this certainly is not due to a lack of interest, but rather a price sensitivity with Median Home Sales Prices nearing $2M inclusive of both north and south of the highway.
View All Hamptons Markets Combined and you will see plenty of red. In fact only one of the eight price ranges monitored by TOWN & COUNTRY saw gains — an anemic 5% increase in the Number of Home Sales, $500,000 – $999,000 the most popular price category.
“While the 2nd Quarter Home Sales Report proved what I have said about the $10M and up price categories being hit the hardest, I do anticipate the next three months will see a seasonal uptick on the high end. Though, it is the stock market trajectory that dictates Hamptons high end sales. Just another cycle.” states Judi A. Desiderio, President.
To view the full report visit 2nd Quarter Home Sales Report. For all Town & Country Real Estate Market Reports, click here.
