Clark County Market Update
July 2018
Growing Signs
Of Changing Times
Current Market Conditions
Last month I suggested that on the surface the market looked just as stable as it has over the past year + but there seemed to be some hints of a change brewing. RMLS statistics just came out confirming for a second month a different market may be approaching.
Last year our market was pretty strong. Properties were in short supply and buyers felt some competition while bidding for their homes. This year has developed into an even stronger market where buyers are experiencing multiple bids when writing offers. However, the stats for May and June 2018 suggest the market may be at a plateau.
What We Can Expect
In June 2018 we had 297 more listings than the same month 2017, a 22% increase. More listings means more inventory. In fact, inventory rose from 1.8 to 2.1 from May to June but in June 2017 inventory was at 1.6 months. I think it is safe to expect that the climb of home prices has now stalled or will be stalling shortly. Home prices may or may not begin to fall in a few months. This is still an unknown but at this point I do not expect much change in prices.
The good news is that buyer activity jumped this last two weeks over the prior two weeks by 534, 13%. This level brings us essentially to the same level of buyer activity of this same period in 2017. So, if this surge in buyer activity holds then we can still expect a stall in prices and a bit slower market than in 2017 because we have higher inventory yet the same level of buyer activity as in 2017. (I hope that makes sense.)
It is typical for listings to continue to grow for the next two months and unlikely buyer activity will grow much more than this last surge because our “back to school” buyer is just finishing up. So, I am expecting the market to languish for the next few months. If the tariff war escalates or even remains in tack where it is then things will get worse just as soon as the national numbers become public reflecting worsening conditions. I am expecting the uncertainty associated with Trump to reach a breaking point this year at which time the market will suffer.
A Note About Our Health
A recent personal “introduction” to diverticulitis (inflammation of the colon) led me to several Google searches where I found that the exact cause is unknown. However, in my readings I developed an intuition, which may be inaccurate (disclaimer), and if I may, I wanted to share with you.
According to NIH Medline Plus, about half of all US citizens over 60 have diverticulosis while 1 in 10 over 40 have it.
It is likely that fiber intake may be an important factor to avoiding diverticulitis. So, I got to thinking about how much fiber I usually take in daily. Now, I consider myself to favor eating vegetables, nuts and grains, all major sources of fiber. I suspected that if I did the math on how much fiber I take in, I would find that I was at least in the upper range of the recommended amount of fiber. I was surprised.
Let’s start with the recommended amount of daily fiber as per the Mayo Clinic. Men need 30-38 grams a day and women need 21-25 grams per day. This does change some with age so you may want to google it for your own personal data.
For me on a very good day I might eat a bowl of oatmeal ( 2 grams) with raisins (1/2 gram) and Lettice (1/2 gram). For lunch I might have a sandwich (bread at 2 grams), and at dinner I might have a large serving of broccoli (7 grams) with brown rice (3.5 grams). This total is 15.5 grams for the day. WOW- I am getting only half of my recommended fiber each day, and that is on a good day. My colon has been working my whole life with less than half the recommended fiber every day. That means it has been working extra hard and having to apply extra pressure to push everything through.
No wonder these pockets form in so many colons of peoples of the Western world. Laura Persons wrote in HealthLine November 3, 2017 “Diverticulitis 101” that before the 20th century, diverticular disease was rare but now it is one of the most common health problems. What has changed in our food over the past many decades? It seems to me we have seen a huge increase in processed foods like white bread and boxed cereals and fewer natural foods. We have unwittingly removed vital fiber from our diets. Perhaps that is part of the reason for the increase in this disease since the 20th century.
So I have begun adding to my diet 2 table spoons of bran and Psyllium fiber (1 twice a day) in a drink.
It is easy to take and gets me that much closer to my needed fiber. This product is available at most markets and adds about 4 grams of fiber to my diet. While this is still short of the recommended minimum, I have really noticed an improvement (That is all I will say there). I wish I had begun this diet years ago. Perhaps my colon would be in better shape. To get me even closer to the recommended amount of fiber, I do my best to eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains whenever possible.
Details on fiber content are available with a quick google search but here are a few examples per the Mayo Clinic that may surprise.
Raspberries provide 8 grams per cup
Blueberries provide 3.6 grams per cup
Split peas add 16 grams per cup
Lentils and black beans add over 15 grams per cup
One Artichoke adds over 10 grams of fiber
One avocado provides 10 grams of fiber
Boiled green peas add 8.8 grams of fiber per cup.
Got Time For Coffee?
Helping get answers to your question is what gets me up each morning. It is my purpose for being. If you have a question pertaining to real estate ( or chickens or composting for that matter) fire away. I am eager to help. And if you wish to meet for Coffee (or tea or lunch), let’s do it. Thank you
1 LEVEL HOME ON ACREAGE FOR SALE:
In a few days I will have on the market a 1 level home and shop with 2 acres and about 3100 square feet located in the Fairgrounds area for $500,000. If this interests you please call me.
KELSEY FAMILY FARM: Lily Comes to the Farm (The latest stories)
Text for Veggies!
Lots growing on the farm in the gardens and greenhouse. We’ll have vegetables, herbs, and fruit coming in the next few months. The sandwich board on the road and our website will announce what is fresh and ready. Text your order and we’ll have it waiting for you at the farm. You can also text to reserve our marvelous eggs and custom roasted Wake the Rooster Coffee. TEXT 1-949-306-9977
Wanting to Pickle Cucumbers? I can get you fresh organically grown cucumbers and dill and I can likely deliver it to you direct. Text in your order. Thank you
Chris Kelsey
Keller Williams PP
360-921-2203