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Real Estate Markets Peaking and Some are in a Pricing Bubble

Strong economies in Dallas and Denver have buoyed property prices beyond their fundamental levels for a sustained period.

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U.S. metropolitan residential real estate markets are peaking and some cities are in another pricing bubble, according to the latest national index produced by 91���� and Florida International University faculty.

The estimates wealth creation by way of homeownership and equity appreciation versus renting and reinvesting in more traditional financial assets. Thus, by default, the index also measures the pressure on the demand for homeownership. Scores approaching one indicate strong downward pressure on the demand for ownership.

Two metropolitan areas Dallas (.92) and Denver (.77) are rapidly approaching an index score of one. “Both Dallas and Denver are significantly overheated,” said , Ph.D., one of the index’s creators and associate dean and professor in . “Residential real estate prices in Dallas are significantly above their long-term pricing trend, and I anticipate pricing corrections in the near future.”

Strong economies in Dallas and Denver have buoyed property prices beyond their fundamental levels for a sustained period.

“Prices are still appreciating in both metros but at a decreasing rate, suggesting that the current upward pattern in property appreciation is nearing an end,” said , Ph.D., co-creator of the index and director of the .

Of the 23 cities in the BH&J Index, 20 trended toward rent territory last quarter, implying these markets became slightly more renter friendly in terms of wealth creation. Interestingly, three metro areas – Honolulu, Miami, and Seattle – which have been some of the hottest real estate markets in the country, have trended marginally back toward ownership territory.

“This does not mean that these markets are exhibiting clear buy signals, but rather they appear to be pulling back from the brink as buyers begin to negotiate more aggressively in these areas,” said , Ph.D., director of FIU’s Jerome Bain Real Estate Institute and associate dean of the Chapman Graduate School of Business.

It is hard to say exactly what is going to happen this time around, said Johnson. Residential cycles are a relatively new phenomenon in most parts of the country. However, markets are going to experience pricing events, he said. 

“These events could be as benign as flattening prices and extended marketing times in less overheated cities to significant price declines in the more overheated metros,” Johnson said. “We are nearing the peak of the current residential cycle. The ship is turning once again.” 

The BH&J Index is published quarterly and is available online at . Due to data availability and the time necessary to calculate the most current index values, the index is produced two months after the end of the quarter.

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Tags: business | faculty and staff