It's still up, up, and away for home prices in many markets. CoreLogic reports prices nationwide were up 6.8% year over year for October. This means prices in many markets are still appreciating more than the historical norm of 2% to 4%. (Inflation is a key factor in home-price appreciation.)

After the housing bubble burst in 2008, many of us couldn't wait for home prices to rise after such a precipitous and unexpected fall. (This was the first time many of us had actually experienced home-price deflation.) Fortunately, prices since then have recovered, and advanced to set new highs in many markets. 

But sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Rising prices can be a windfall for sellers (though not necessarily if a seller is also a buyer), but they can be an impediment to buyers, particularly first-time buyers with no equity to cash in.  That's the problem today: a dearth of first-time no-equity buyers.

We'd like to see a further reduction in nationwide home-price appreciation going forward. More signs suggest that's the case in more markets. (Case-Shiller, in particular, has seen a slowdown.) Slow and steady has always won the real estate race in the past. It will continue to win the race in the future.

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

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When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

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If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.