Tag Archive for median home price

More Than Half Of U.S. Homes Affordable

May 16, 2014 Housing Market Comments Off on More Than Half Of U.S. Homes Affordable

During the first quarter of 2014, 65.5 percent of new and existing homes sold were affordable to a family earning the U.S. median income of $63,900, according to the National Association of Home Builders Opportunity Index. The improvement over the previous quarter was largely due to a dip in the national median home price and the fact that average mortgage rates remained steady during this period. But the slight increase in the number of affordable homes – up from 64.7 percent at the end of last year – is also an encouraging sign for the housing market going into the spring and summer season. David Crowe, NAHB’s chief economist, said the first-quarter results are another indicator that this is an opportune time to buy a home, as home prices and mortgage rates are expected to rise through the end of this year and into next. Also in the release, the national median home price fell from $205,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013 to $195,000 in the first quarter of this year. More here.

Existing Home Sales Slip In October

November 20, 2013 Housing Market Comments Off on Existing Home Sales Slip In October

According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of previously owned homes fell 3.2 percent in October. The drop marks the second consecutive month of slowed sales numbers. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said a flattening trend is expected. According to Yun, low inventory is holding back sales while, at the same time, pushing home prices up. And though inventory fell just 1.8 percent from the month before, the national median existing-home price was $199,500 in October, up 12.8 percent from last year. There have now been eleven consecutive months of double-digit year-over-year increases in median home price. Still, home sales were up from last year in the Midwest, South, and Northeast. The West, where constrained inventory has held back the sales pace, was flat as compared to one year ago. More here.

Existing Home Sales Up in August

September 20, 2013 Uncategorized Comments Off on Existing Home Sales Up in August

Sales of previously owned homes rose in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales increased 1.7 percent from the month before and were 13.2 percent above year-before levels. Regionally, sales were up in the Midwest and South, flat in the Northeast, and down in the West. But, despite reaching the highest sales pace since February 2007, Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said the market may be experiencing a temporary peak. Yun cautioned that sales may be uneven in the months ahead due to tight inventory and less favorable affordability conditions. In short, fewer homes for sale puts upward pressure on prices. In fact, the median home price in August was up nearly 15 percent from 2012 and has posted double-digit increases for nine consecutive months. More here.