August Sales Up, Prices Rise Steadily
DENVER
(September 19, 2016) – August home sales increased 5.8% over a year
ago, reversing July’s decline of 8.8%. At the same time, the median
price climbed 5.1% as steady monthly increases continued. August sales
were up year-over-year in 41 of the 53 U.S. metro areas analyzed in the
RE/MAX National Housing Report. Twelve metro areas posted double-digit
increases, including major markets along the east coast from Washington,
DC to Charlotte, NC. So far in 2016, seven of the eight months have
seen year-over-year sales increases nationally.
The August
Median Sales Price climbed 5.1% to $225,900 from $215,000 seen in August
last year. From January through August, the average year-over-year
Median Sales Price increase was 3.9%. Three Florida metro areas were
among the seven posting double-digit increases. Only four markets,
including two in the Northeast, saw price declines. Inventory remained
tight in August, averaging a 3.4 months supply. While 6 months is
considered a balanced market, 23 of the 53 markets surveyed by RE/MAX
reported less than half of that. In fact, seven cities had less than 2
months of inventory, including four on the West Coast.
“August’s
nearly 6% sales increase over last year is providing a strong finish
for the summer home selling and buying season. While July saw a decline,
August built upon the trends in the spring and early summer. Coupled
with moderating price increases, the sales growth we’re seeing
represents a market that’s very sustainable,” said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX
CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder.
Closed Transactions – Year-over-year change
In
the 53 metro areas surveyed in August, the average number of home sales
increased by 5.8% compared to one year ago, and was 2.8% higher than
the previous month. To date in 2016, August was the seventh month with a
year-over-year increase in sales. This month, 41 markets experienced an
increase in sales with 12 markets seeing double-digit-increases in
sales year-over-year. Those markets include Raleigh & Durham, N.C.
+14.5%, Charlotte, N.C. +13.6%, Boise, ID +13.5%, Washington, D.C.
+12.7% Richmond, VA +12.6%, Providence, RI +12.5% and Phoenix, AZ
+12.3%.
Median Sales Price – Median of 53 metro median prices
In
August, the median of all 53 metro Median Sales Prices was $225,900, up
slightly at 0.4% from July 2016 and up 5.1% from August 2015. This 5.1%
year-over-year rise is noticeably less than the 7.5% increases seen in
August over the past two years. Additionally, of the 53 metro areas
surveyed in August, only four had a year-over-year drop in Median Sales
Price. The remaining 49 metros reported higher prices than one year ago,
with seven rising by double-digit percentages, including Tampa, FL
+15.5%, Orlando, FL +14.1%, Charlotte, N.C. +11.8%, Denver, CO +11.7%,
Miami, FL +11.6%, Portland, OR +11.5% and Dallas/Fort Worth, TX +10.4%.
Days on Market – Average of 53 metro areas
The
average Days on Market for homes sold in August was 54, up one day from
the average in July 2016, and down five days from August 2015. August
becomes the 41st consecutive month with a Days on Market average of 80
or less. The two markets with the lowest Days on Market are Denver and
Omaha at 24. The highest Days on Market averages continue to be in
Augusta, ME at 135, and Des Moines, IA at 93. Days on Market is the
number of days between when a home is first listed in an MLS and a sales
contract is signed.
Months Supply of Inventory – Average of 53 metro areas
The
number of homes for sale in August was down 4.2% from July, and down
16.6% from August 2015. Based on the rate of home sales in August, the
Months Supply of Inventory was 3.4, which is similar to both last month
and last year at 3.5 and 4.1 respectively. A 6.0 month supply indicates a
market balanced equally between buyers and sellers. This month, 23 of
the 53 metro areas had less than half of what is considered a balanced
inventory supply. The markets with the lowest Months Supply of Inventory
are Denver, CO 1.4, San Francisco, CA 1.4, Seattle, WA 1.5, and Boston,
MA 1.6.
Content for this article provided by RE/MAX.com