Real Estate Explained | What is Absorption Rate
What is the difference between a Sellers and Buyers Market?
How is the difference between a “sellers market” and “buyers market” known? It can be confusing at times, but it is really simple. There is a way that we can see what is happening in the market and determine if we are in a buyers or sellers market. How we determine the difference is by Absorption Rate. This simple concept is often misunderstood regarding this fundamental measure of market conditions.
ABSORPTION RATE is the mathematical representation of the relationship between supply and demand. The total amount of available homes is divided by the total amount of homes sold in the previous month. The resulting number represents the number of months it would take, at that same pace, to sell the entire inventory of homes.
So what is considered a Buyers or Sellers Market in Real Estate Sales
- “Normal Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is 5-7 months.
- “Sellers Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is lower. (1-4 month)
- “Buyers Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is higher. (7+ months)
Absorption Rate is not all you need to look at to determine the condition of the Niagara Falls Real Estate market. In fact, many people misunderstand the application of this important ratio, and overlook several important factors:
- To have real meaning to you in your practice, or in understanding the Niagara Falls Real Estate market you are buying or selling homes in, you need to look at not the overall conditions, but the local, price-range specific conditions. A $35,000-$40,000 home may have 5 months of inventory, while a $75,00-$80,000 range may have 13 months. While the combined of all of Niagara Falls might be 9 months.
- The ratio reflects a general condition or a trend. That is, it is not specific. Specific property features, condition, and price will do more to determine how fast it will actually sell than any mathematical formula will.
Importance to Western New York Sellers:
Knowing the market conditions can help you determine the appropriate asking price for your home, based on your need for a timely sale. If the Absorption Rate in the 300K to 500K is 4.2, while 500K to 800K is 17.4, and you were considering pricing around 510K, you might want to reconsider and price at 499K instead if you need a faster sale.
Importance to Western New York Buyers:
Knowing the market conditions in the specific areas you are looking to buy in will prepare you for negotiating. It the Absorption rate in WNY is 3.1, while in Buffalo it is 15.2, and you want to negotiate a lower than asking price, you can see that in Buffalo that may be more likely than in Niagara Falls.
How is Absorption Rate Calculated?
Knowing Western New York’s Absorption Rate, helps to track trends in the Niagara Falls Real Estate Market. Absorption rate is NOT an exact science. Figuring it is based on the premise that one will be looking for a trend. To calculate Absorption rate you will need:
- How many listings are currently on the market in a given area? In this instance listings are both active and pending homes.
- How many listings sold last month?
Now that you know those numbers, you will need to:
- Add together the number of Active/Pending Listings 1,000
- # of Sold Last Month 100 x 12 divided by 52 = 23.08
- # Sold of Active divided by the number of sold 1,000/23.08 = 43.33 weeks
- Absorption Rate = 10.08 months
While absorption rate may just be a guide, it is another valuable tool for buyers and sellers to better understand the real estate market and assist them to make informed decisions about Real Estate.
Need assistance purchasing a WNY home? Call my office today at (716) 650-0051 or fill out the form below.
About Colleen Kulikowski, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (716) 650-0051
Colleen Kulikowski is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at MJ Peterson specializing in Western New York residential homes who doesn’t follow trends; she blazes new trails and is able to recognize industry trends and implement them to her client’s best interest. Colleen has created a unique following with one of the top local internet positions in the country generating thousands of leads for her team. Real Estate is a second career for Kulikowski who’s first career was in Information Technology and Data Warehousing working for such companies as Radio City Music Hall, Nabisco Foods and as a consultant in the Financial and Insurance industries. A strong background in technology and management provides her with keen analytical and sharp negotiating skills.
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Missy Caulk
February 24, 2008 at 10:11 pmI do use the absorption rate when I am showing sellers how to correctly price their homes. It helps them understand the over all time is could take to sell and gives them a clear picture of hte market.
Colleen Kulikowski
February 24, 2008 at 11:54 pmMissy — Absorption rate is a great tool to help the Seller understand what is happening in the market. It is really powerful when you have a month to month stats for a given area and they can see that the trend is not just the past 30 days, but beyond that…
Ann Cummings
February 25, 2008 at 2:11 pmHi Colleen – I think sellers should always be shown what the absorption rates are for their areas. This can be a tricky thing to try to explain but you did a great job laying it out there. I’d bet there are many agents who have no clue what absorption rate is, and nor do they explain it to their sellers.
Colleen Kulikowski
February 25, 2008 at 2:53 pmAnn — it is so imporant that our sellers have every piece of information so they can make an informed decision. When pricing a piece of property, I will break it down even further, by number of bedrooms, square footage and other details that apply.
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I do use the absorption rate when I am showing sellers how to correctly price their homes. It helps them understand the over all time is could take to sell and gives them a clear picture of hte market.
Missy — Absorption rate is a great tool to help the Seller understand what is happening in the market. It is really powerful when you have a month to month stats for a given area and they can see that the trend is not just the past 30 days, but beyond that…
Hi Colleen – I think sellers should always be shown what the absorption rates are for their areas. This can be a tricky thing to try to explain but you did a great job laying it out there. I’d bet there are many agents who have no clue what absorption rate is, and nor do they explain it to their sellers.
Ann — it is so imporant that our sellers have every piece of information so they can make an informed decision. When pricing a piece of property, I will break it down even further, by number of bedrooms, square footage and other details that apply.
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[...] Real Estate Explained | What is Absorption Rate [...]
[...] Real Estate Explained | What is Absorption Rate [...]
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