RE/MAX Housing Report: Sales, Prices Remain Higher than 2011

Very Low Inventory Impacts Sales

October saw a continuation of the trend throughout the year, with both home prices and home sales rising above the levels seen one year ago. In the October RE/MAX National Housing report, a survey of MLS data in 52 metropolitan areas, closed transactions increased 17.8% over October 2011. The Median Home Price rose 2.1% higher than the median seen last October, representing the ninth month in a row that prices have been higher than the same month last year. The falling Inventory is a significant concern in many markets. The number of homes for sale in October was 28.9% lower than last October. This has caused prices to rise, but also presents a serious challenge for many homebuyers. Multiple offers and some bidding wars have occurred in markets where inventory is sharply lower.

The above is an excerpt from the monthly RE/MAX National Housing Report.  Click here to read the full two-page report.

Summer Selling Season Ends Strong

August Sales, Prices Continue to Rise

The August RE/MAX National Housing Report including data from 52 metropolitan areas shows that home prices and sales remain higher than one year ago.  August home prices were flat from July, but 6.3% higher than prices seen in August 2011.  Median home prices have risen above last year’s prices for seven consecutive months.  Home sales were 8.5% above the mark set last year, and for fourteen straight months have pushed higher than last year. Inventory was 29.7% below August 2011 and remains a serious challenge to this recovery.  With bidding wars in some areas, buyers are facing increasing difficulties finding their dream home and sales numbers are beginning to be negatively impacted.   As inventory continues to shrink, the average months supply of home for sale was just 4.9.

The above is an excerpt from the monthly RE/MAX National Housing Report. Click here to see the full two-page report.

Home Prices & Sales Trend Higher, Recovery Continues

The national median home price rose for the third straight month in April, indicating that a housing recovery is strengthening in 2012. In the 53 metropolitan areas surveyed by the RE/MAX National Housing Report, median home prices were 3.2% higher than March and a solid 5.9% higher than April 2011. After 18 consecutive months of year-over-year price declines, February was the first month home prices experienced an increase. Now, March and April have followed suit creating a positive trend. The market continues to show strength with home sales 4.1% higher than April 2011. April becomes the 10thmonth sales have pushed higher than the same month a year earlier. Inventory, Months Supply and Days on Market are all trending lower. With current levels of sales and inventory, an expected up-tick in foreclosure properties could be absorbed if they come to market over a reasonable time frame.

The above is an excerpt from the monthly RE/MAX National Housing Report. Click here to read the full report.

Home Prices Start to Rise, Sales Trend Higher: Housing Recovery Underway

For the first time in 18 months, home prices in February rose higher. With a median price of $171,881, prices in the 53 cities surveyed by the RE/MAX National Housing Report rose by 1.1% over February 2011. Home sales were even higher, up 8.7% from one year ago. With a positive sales trend of 8 straight months above the previous year, it’s looking like 2012 will witness a very strong home-selling season. As a result of reduced foreclosure activity, inventory continued a downward trend for the 20thstraight month, 22.4% lower than the housing inventory in February 2011. Consumer sentiment appears to be rising, and record low mortgage rates coupled with favorable home prices are attracting homebuyers and investors who don’t want to miss a historic opportunity.

The above is an excerpt from the monthly RE/MAX National Housing Report. Click here to read the full report.

Or click here to watch RE/MAX CEO, Margaret Kelly, discuss the current housing market on CNBC’s Street Signs yesterday afternoon.

2012 Starts with Increased Sales and Stable Prices

 

For the 7th straight month, home sales in January inched higher, rising 3.4% above the level seen last January.  This data is based on a weighted average of 53 metropolitan areas surveyed for the RE/MAX National Housing Report.  After an unexpected jump in sales at the end of 2011, January sales returned to a seasonal norm and were down on a monthly basis 19.3% from December.  Perhaps due to falling foreclosure numbers, January was the 19th consecutive month that inventory levels dropped.  The number of homes for sale last month was 24.1% lower than the number seen in January 2011. In the 53 metro areas, home prices were down only 0.8%  from one year ago, building a trend of much anticipated price stabilization.

The above is an excerpt from the monthly RE/MAX National Housing Report. For more information click here to see the full two-page report.

“This Market is Trying Hard to Stabilize Itself”

home-sales-upNovember home sales were 8.1% higher than sales in November 2010, according to The RE/MAX Monthly Housing Report, a survey of housing data from 53 metropolitan areas. November is the 5th consecutive month to show a year-over-year sales increase. At the same time, the number of homes for sale, or inventory, continued to fall for the 17th straight month. November home prices were 1.4% higher than October, making the 5th month in 2011 that prices have risen month-to-month. However, home prices remained 4.2% lower than prices in November last year.

“This market is trying hard to stabilize itself with home sales significantly stronger than one year ago, even though we are entering the holiday season when sales traditionally decline,” said Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX, LLC. “With sales trending higher and inventory falling, we would expect the result to be rebounding prices when we enter the stronger selling season next spring and summer.”

Read the complete RE/MAX National Housing Report.

Home Sales Remain Higher than Last Year, Prices Fall Modestly

home-sales-upThe RE/MAX National Housing Report was just released and it looks like sales are still up this year compared to last year.  And while home prices are down a notch, it’s a very small notch.  See below!

The September 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report, a survey of housing data from 53 metropolitan areas, shows that the number of home sales were 7.6% higher than September 2010. This follows a trend from August and July, when sales were up 18.0% and 13.1% respectively. With higher sales, the inventory of homes on the market fell for the 15thconsecutive month by 20.2% from September 2010. Despite brisk sales at the end of summer, home prices continued a slight downward trend, falling 3.3% from last year.

Click here to read the full report.

RE/MAX Makes the Milwaukee News – and then some!

Talk about some great branding!  Justin Hoffmann with RE/MAX Realty 100 in Milwaukee, WI appeared on the local Fox 6 News last week as did his highly RE/MAX-ized car and numerous RE/MAX yard signs!  To boot, the story used the RE/MAX National Housing Report to talk about how the Milwaukee metro housing market is bucking national trends with both sales and prices increasing!

Click here to watch the video and see it for yourself!

Looking for Some Good News?

home-sales-upHome sales are UP!  The National Housing Report from RE/MAX Headquarters (which looks at housing statistics from 53 major metros) and the Monthly Housing Report from RE/MAX North Central (which looks at the Twin Cities and Milwaukee metros’ housing markets) were distributed to the media earlier this week and they each show positive home sales for July when compared to July 2010!  Month-over-month comparisons weren’t nearly as favorable but some economic instabilities (i.e. the Minnesota state shutdown and the debt ceiling debate) no doubt hindered it a bit.  But regardless, the good news should be shared so go ahead, download the reports and spread the good word!

National Housing Report    /    Twin Cities Housing Report    /    Milwaukee Housing Report

Remember:

Feel free to use data from these report in your newsletters and promotional materials – just be sure to reference the RE/MAX National Housing Report, or the RE/MAX North Central Monthly Housing Report with data compiled by MAAR or GMAR, as your source.

 

 

 

 

RE/MAX September National Housing Report Available

The RE/MAX National Housing Report for September is now available!  This report is a national summary which includes data from 55 cities across the country.  To view the summary, click here.  Feel free to use this data in your newsletters and promotional materials; just be sure to reference the RE/MAX National Housing Report as your source.