We are about two years into a national trend of dropping housing supply and increasing median sales prices. There are some regional variations to the story, but the shift to a predominantly seller’s market is mostly complete. Multiple-offer situations over asking price are commonplace in many communities, and good homes are routinely off the market after a single day. It is evident that a favorable economy keeps hungry buyers in the chase.
New Listings were down 28.9 percent for single family homes and 20.4 percent for Condo/TIC/Coop properties. Pending Sales remained flat for single family homes but decreased 19.0 percent for Condo/TIC/Coop properties.
The Median Sales Price was up 9.7 percent to $1,431,000 for single family homes and 12.4 percent to $1,175,000 for Condo/TIC/Coop properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.0 percent for single family units and 32.3 percent for Condo/TIC/Coop units.
Although the unemployment rate remains unchanged at its favorable national 4.3 percent rate, wage growth has not been rising at the steady clip that would be expected in an improving economy. Sales activity manages to keep churning along despite looming shortages in new construction. Lower price ranges are starting to feel the effects of the supply and demand gap, as first-time buyers scramble to get offers in at an increasing pace.