The Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® reported 557 closed sales for January, which was the highest number of January sales since 2008. There were 3,806 active listings, down from the same period last year by over 500 listings. To round out the Des Moines market showed a median sales price up $16,000 from a year ago.

Iowa home sales have increased in 18 of the last 19 months according to the Iowa Association of Realtors®. January was no different with sales up more than 14 percent from last year same time.

IAR’s January 2013 Housing Trends Report showed that home sales jumped 14.7 percent as 1,898 homes sold/closed in January, compared to the 1,655 homes that sold/closed in January 2012.

The median sale price rose 7.3 percent from January last

Why potential buyers may not want to wait till full market recovery to buy that new to them home.

Prices Are on the Rise

Home prices are starting to increase. The Des Moines Association of REALTORS® reported that home prices were 11.3 percent higher this December then in 2011.

The Home Price Expectation Survey, which polls over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts, predicts continued appreciation over the next five years.

Rents Are Rising

Recently, Zillow  reported that rents in the U.S. increased by 4.2% over the last year. Increases were 5% or more in many major metropolitan areas including Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore and Denver.

New Mortgage Regulations To Be Announced This Year

Six regulators, including the

Homeowners shouldn’t wait till Spring or “Buying Season” to list.

Supply Is Low

The monthly supply of houses is near its lowest point since May of 2005. Historically, inventory increases dramatically in the spring. Selling now when demand is high and supply is low may garner you your best price.

Demand Is High

Homes are currently selling at a rate not seen since 2007. The most recent Existing Home Sales Report by the National Association of Realtors showed that annual sales in 2012 increased 9.2% over 2011.

Timelines Will Be Shorter

During the warmer months and more sales the process is slowed by inspections, last minute appraisals and banks needing just one more thing before issuing a commitment on the mortgage. There are fewer transactions this