The Real Estate Absorption Rate: A Helpful Guide

The intricacies of the real estate market are getting more complex by the minute. Therefore, real estate investors and landlords need to utilize new tools and new technologies to make sound decisions. But many real estate pros also rely on tried-and-true equations and methods that allow them to analyze the local market. That is when something like the absorption rate comes in to help make sense of the housing market in their area. But what is an absorption rate, how is it calculated, and what are some examples of it being used in real world terms?

Analyzing the housing market in your area results in a lot of ways to think about what is happening this week, this month, and this year in that area. Working with Atlanta property services for years, we understand that there are a lot of formulas to illuminate what is happening. This particular one is considered foundational to thinking about the market in your area. So let’s explore and understand it.

Here we will examine the key aspects of absorption rates and what it means for real estate analysis. We will go over:

• What Is an Absorption Rate – Let’s first explain what it is.
• How To Calculate Absorption Rates – Then let us go over how to calculate it.
• Examples of Absorption Rates – Let’s make sure we know how to calculate the rate.
• Factors Influencing Absorption Rates – And we can go over a concrete example to demonstrate how it would be used.
• Using Property Management to Help in Decision Making – And finally, let’s explore how property management could help you in managing such investments.

What Is an Absorption Rate

It is a formula used in the real estate market to evaluate the rate at which available homes are sold in a specific market during a given period. It’s calculated by dividing the number of homes sold in the allotted period by the total number of available homes.

This equation can also be reversed to identify the time it would take for the supply to be sold. In fact, there are actually a lot of different uses for this formula.

• Market Analysis – Real estate professionals – such as agents and appraisers – use absorption rates to understand market conditions. A high rate indicates a seller’s market while a low rate signals a buyer’s market.
• Pricing Strategy – This formula helps in setting the right price for homes, which is certainly helpful for investors. In a market with a high rate, homes can be priced higher due to increased demand – and of course the inverse is true.
• Inventory Management – Developers and contractors use the formula to decide whether to build new homes. High rates suggest strong demand, encouraging new construction, while low rates indicate a cooling market.
• Investment Decisions – Real estate investors consider absorption rates to determine the best times to buy or sell properties. A high rate might signal a good time to sell, while a low rate could be a better time to buy. Many real estate investors use advanced software and prediction systems, but there are a lot of basic formulas people can master before thinking more technology is necessarily needed.
• Loans and Credit – Lenders use absorption rates to observe market conditions when evaluating loan applications and setting credit terms.

How To Calculate Absorption Rates

To determine the rate, you use a simple formula. Anyone can do it, yet the more experience you have with calculating it in a certain area over periods of time, you can track the intricacies and make better predictions. Here is how to calculate it:

• Determine the Time Frame: Decide the period you want to analyze (one month, three months, etc.).
• Find the Number of Homes Sold: Count the total number of homes sold in that period.
• Find the Number of Active Listings: Determine the total number of homes currently available for sale.

Divide the numbers of homes sold by the active listings. Then convert it to a percentage by multiplying it by 100. So the final calculation looks like this:

( Homes Sold / Active Listings ) x 100 = Absorption Rate

And there you have it.

A high rate is often considered above 20%, which indicates a seller’s market and an environment where homes sell quickly. And a low rate is often considered below 15%, which signals a buyer’s market or a situation in which homes tend to take longer to sell.

Examples of Absorption Rates

What would be helpful is to look at a specific example to see it in action and think about what it means if you came up with that calculation. So let’s say you’re looking at the Atlanta market and you want to make some real estate decisions. Let us come up with some example numbers. Here goes…

• Determine the Time Frame: Decide the period you want to analyze. Let’s go with 1 month. So the two numbers below need to be taken from that 1 month period of time.
• Find the Number of Homes Sold: Count the total number of homes sold in that period. For instance, let’s say 300 homes were sold in Atlanta in that month.
• Find the Number of Active Listings: Determine the total number of homes available for sale in that period. Suppose there are 1,200 active listings in Atlanta within that same month.

So the calculation is:

( Homes Sold / Active Listings ) x 100 = Absorption Rate

( 300 / 1,200 ) x 100 = 25%

So the absorption rate for Atlanta in that period of time is 25%. That is considered a high rate – but maybe not super high – which can help inform decisions about the real estate market and investing.

Factors Influencing Absorption Rates

The absorption rate is influenced by a number of factors. One of the primary factors is the overall economic conditions, which can affect both buyer and seller confidence. When the economy is strong, more people are likely to buy homes, increasing the rate.

Beyond the general economy, particularly in the city you’re trying to analyze, there are a number of other local factors. They include:

• Interest rates
• Local job market
• Local housing inventory
• Seasonality (for example, the real estate market is often active in the spring and summer and slower in winter)

Using Property Management to Help in Decision Making

While some of these real estate calculations and theories may not apply to every investor, it’s important to remember that knowledge is power. Learning to diversify is critical for savvy investors. That means moving forward with all types of investments. We can help!

At Bay Property Management Group, we specialize in Atlanta area property management. Our dedicated managers collaborate with owners to streamline real estate operations and even fill the gaps you may not have experience in. Contact us today to find out how our team can help simplify your real estate and property management tasks and responsibilities.