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The Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® (OBAR) has released its May 2022 real estate statistical report. The report highlights year-to-date and month-to-month sale comparisons for residential, commercial and lot/land properties included in OBAR’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

The report shows 2022 year-to-date sales for all property in the MLS has declined slightly for the last three months and year-to-date sales are down 19% when compared to May of 2021, but when compared to April 2022, the numbers are up. Residential median sale prices have also risen 26% to $606,250 and are also more than 8% higher than April 2022. Lots/land property sales are up 2% and commercial property sales are up 74% when compared to the same time last year.

In Dare County, there has been an increase in new builds. Year-to-date, 140 building permits for residential properties have been issued in Dare County compared to 122 in May of 2021.  According to Tammy Aycock, principal broker with Saga Realty & Construction, “Lot sales are increasing along with building permits being issued which is reflective of the lower inventory of existing homes, so the ‘decline’ is not truly a ‘decline.’ Buyers are choosing to move in an alternative direction because there are limited options of existing homes available to purchase.”

“We have noticed an uptick in our new construction contracts this year versus last year due to the continual lack of inventory,” Aycock continued. Currituck County information is included in the report.

On the vacation rental front, OBAR president Doug Brindley, of Brindley Beach Vacation and Sales, said, “Occupancy in May was down about 25% compared to May 2021.” However, according to Brindley, “June through August is as full as it was last year.”

He continued by wishing fellow property managers, “Happy summer – only 81 days left till Labor Day.”

Town to Town Comparison

Southern Shores was the only town that had an increase in residential units sold. The 6% increase was the equivalent of only three more units sold when compared to May of 2021, but when compared to April 2022, 16 more units were sold in May.

Since February 2022, Duck has had the highest median sales price. When compared to the same time last year, Duck’s median sales price increased 41% to $915,000. That is a difference of $265,000. In addition, the median sales price increased $17,500 compared to April 2022.

Overall residential days on market dropped to 37 from 66 when compared to the same time last year. Once again, Kitty Hawk had the lowest number of days on market at 24.

While there may appear to be a slight decline in real estate sales when looking at 2022, sales and median sales price have increased. “We are still in a hot real estate market!” noted the OBAR press release.

“I believe the numbers for the fourth consecutive month are reflecting the early shift in the market,” said Mike Siers of Howard Hanna OBX. “With low inventory being the draw, if I was going to sell, I would do it today to take advantage of the high demand and low supply. Once the interest rates rise, the buyer pool will be reduced, but there will still be buying opportunities for the meticulous buyer. And there are several on the market now that are a good value for the buyer!”

View the full report at bit.ly/3yacRXy.

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