Las Vegas Overtakes Seattle as #1 Real Estate Market in U.S.
LAS VEGAS, NV – After a lengthy reign of 21 months in a row, Seattle Washington has been kicked to the curb by Las Vegas, Nevada as the number one real estate market in the United States, according to a recently-released report. Las Vegas took first place in the latest release of the monthly Case-Shiller home price index with a jump in property sales of 13 percent in August, an increase over the previous month’s of 12.6 percent.
After a devastating hit to the housing market in Southern Nevada during the mid-2000’s recession – homes lost as much as 60 percent or more of their value and foreclosures were at six times the national average – Las Vegas has bounced back significantly in recent years as the local economy has improved and the job market has stabilised and grown. Shrinking real estate inventory coupled with growing demand and rising prices have resulted in home prices increasing to double what they were during the depths of the recession, with few signs of that upward trajectory slowing down any time soon.
Las Vegas also ranks highly nationally in terms of population and employment growth while low in unemployment, which also plays a factor in terms of home prices and sales. The price of a median single family home in Las Vegas is currently $290,000 – in the neighbourhood of average when compared to national statistics – which represents a massive bargain when compared to a place such as Seattle, where a family can expect to pay up to a whopping $805,000 for the very same type of property.
Another reason for Vegas’ rapid growth as it relates to its current Case-Shiller index ranking is that its real estate market had been devalued so greatly during the recession that any growth would have a comparatively large impact on its gains in terms of overall national rank. However, that in no way takes away from the impressive significance of Vegas’ current status as the king of the housing hill in America, as there are numerous other factors at play that determine the overall national ranking.
Seattle’s market had been the second longest-running on the monthly Case-Shiller home price index in the 31 years they have been tracking the real estate market nationally; the only city coming in higher had been Portland, Oregon with 23 straight months in the 1990’s. However, Seattle has been experiencing a drop both property prices and sales recently, and experts expect this trend to continue when the next Case-Shiller index is released, as the report reflects a three-month average. Las Vegas, in comparison, has been experiencing an upward climb for a significant amount of time now, so it is likely that the next Case-Shiller index will continue to reflect its number one national ranking for some time to come.
If you are considering investing in or around the Las Vegas area, which clearly is experiencing huge growth and a booming job market, give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any real estate and tenant related questions you may have.
About the Author
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher helps keep a keen-eye on what's happening in the Las Vegas Nevada community on behalf of Shelter Realty Inc.