The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that sales volume dipped in September in the U.S. existing-home market and experts are blaming higher prices on the slowdown. NAR analysts believe sales will slow even more as prices continue to rise and mortgage interest rates also start their upward climb. NAR records show that the national median home price jumped more than 11% in September over the previous year and that it was the 10th consecutive month of increases, but price gains are slowing and market observers believe it will help maintain balance in the market. For more on this continue reading the following article from Global Property Guide.
Existing-home sales declined month-on-month 1.9% in September, because of increasing prices, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The "seasonally adjusted annual rate" of sales was down 5.29 million in September, from 5.39 million in August.
- In the Northeast, sales of existing homes declined 2.8% month-on-month during September, but are still 15.0% above September 2012. The median Northeast price is $240,900, up 2.3% from a year ago.
- In the Midwest, existing-home sales fell 5.3% month-on-month during September, but are 12.6% up on a year ago. The median Midwest price was $158,400, up 9.0% from a year ago.
- In the South, existing-home sales declined 1.4% month-on-month during September, but are 9.9% up on a year ago. The median Southern price was $171,600, up 13.9% from a year ago.
- In the West, existing-home sales rose 1.6% during September, and are 7.8% up on a year ago. The median price in the West rose to $286,300, up 16.8% on September 2012.
There were 2.21 million existing homes on sale at end-September, representing 5 months’ supply, compared with 4.9-months’ supply in August. The median time on market for all homes was 50 days in September, up from 43 days in August, according to NAR.
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The rate of price increases has been decelerating, according to Anand Nallathambi, president and chief executive officer of CoreLogic Pending HPI research. On a month-on-month basis, home prices increased by only 0.2% in September 2013. Home prices, including distressed sales, increased 12% in September 2013 on a year-on-year basis.
“We are seeing a slowdown in the rate of price appreciation over the past few months from the rapid pace experienced over the first half of this year," said Nallathambi. "This deceleration is natural and should help keep market fundamentals in balance over the longer term.”
This article was republished with permission from Global Property Guide.
