Note: National Association of Realtors® (NAR) data below is from June (the most current national data)
National Association of Realtors® (NAR) data shows that sales of existing homes dipped in June owing to a low supply. While homes sold at a near record pace, activity ultimately ended up muted. Only the Midwest saw an increase in sales last month.
Total existing-home sales (measures completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops) dropped 1.8% to 5.52 million in June from 5.62 million in May. Despite last month's decline, June's sales pace is 0.7 % higher than a year ago.
NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, indicated that the dip in contract activity in the prior three months translated to a pullback in existing sales in June. "Closings were down in most of the country last month because interested buyers are being tripped up by supply that remains stuck at a meager level and price growth that's straining their budget," Yun said. NAR's economist added, "The good news is that sales are still running slightly above last year's pace despite these persistent market challenges."
Housing Data Takeaways
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June's median existing-home price for all U.S. housing types was $263,800, up 6.5% from June 2016 ($247,600). Last month's median sales price overtakes May as a new peak and represents the 64th straight month of year-over-year gains.
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Total U.S. housing inventory at the end of June dropped 0.5% to 1.96 million existing homes available for sale, and is now 7.1% below a year ago (2.11 million) and has dipped year-over-year for 25 consecutive months. Unsold inventory nationally now offers a 4.3-month supply at the current sales velocity, which is down from 4.6 months a year ago.
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First-time buyers drove 32% of sales in June, down from 33% both in May and one year ago. The annual share of first-time buyers for 2016 was 35%.
- Freddie Mac data indicates the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell for the third consecutive month, dipping to 3.90in % June from 4.01% in May. For all of 2016 the average commitment rate was 3.65%.
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