S&P/Case-Shiller: June 2012

The latest Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index -- reporting data through June 2012 -- was released August 28. The report shows the Washington region's housing market continues to perform above other markets nationwide.

Local statistics can be found at Real Estate Business Intelligence (RBI) which provides housing data for specific neighborhoods in Washington, DC and surrounding suburbs. RBI's latest report -- released August 10 -- provides a more specific picture of the Washington Metro Area housing market.

For a better understanding of how to interpret housing data from different reports take a look at my blog post How to Evaluate Housing Reports.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia - see description below

• S&P reports on an annual basis DC Metro Area home prices increased 3.9% from June 2011.
• On a monthly basis home prices in the Washington region rose 2.1% from May to June.
• According to the S&P/Case-Shiller 2011 Year in Review -- released March 16th -- single-family home prices in Washington, DC increased 8.4% from market bottom in 2009 and are about 80% above their 2000 levels.

Nationwide

The national composite was up 1.2% in the second quarter of 2012 versus the second quarter of 2011, and was up 6.9% versus the first quarter of 2012.

• The 10-City Composite posted annual returns of +0.1% over June 2011.  Month-over-month, average home prices in the 10-City Composite were up 2.2% from May to June.
• The 20-City Composite posted annual returns of +0.5% in June 2012 over last year.  On a monthly basis the 20-City Composite rose 2.3% from May to June.

Methodology

When reviewing the S&P/Case-Shiller data keep in mind the following critical points:

• Property Status - The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices include statistics for distressed properties (i.e. foreclosures, short sales), skewing home prices lower.
• Report Date - These numbers are for May 2012. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are published on a 2-4 month lag to offset delays in sales price data from county deed recorders.
• Property Type - The index reports single-family/detached home prices only; condo and co-op sales statistics are not included in the analysis for the DC area.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Defined

S&P methodology defines the Washington region as a vast "Metropolitan Statistical Area" stretching aross three states from West Virginia, through the District of Columbia, and into Maryland. Housing market statistics for such a vast area bear little relevance for an individual consumer seeking clarity on local home values. Below is the area described as Washington:

• Washington, DC
• Maryland - Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince Georges Counties
• Virginia - Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, Manassas Park City; Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren Counties
• West Virginia - Jefferson County

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Contact me for more information on our local real estate market, and on buying or selling a home. I'm always available for your questions and happy to consult with you on your real estate needs.