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Median Home Prices Inch Downward

According to the latest RE/MAX Housing Report, a double-digit drop in home sales from June to July fueled a double-digit increase in homes for sale, triggering the first decline in the Median Sales Price since January.

July's Median Sales Price of $415,000 was down 2.9% from June and the lowest since April's $406,000. The 16.6% decline in home sales was also the first since January. Year-over-year, sales were down 26.3% from July 2021.

Following a period of continual contraction in recent years, inventory jumped for the fourth consecutive month. There were 13.3% more homes for sale than in June and 30.4% more than a year ago. Months Supply of Inventory has doubled since May and is now at 1.8, while Days on Market was 24. New listings, however, dropped 7.8% compared to June and 7.2% compared to July 2021.

"It's an exciting time to be a homebuyer. For the first time in years, we're seeing sustained inventory gains and the slowing of home price appreciation," said Nick Bailey, President and CEO. "The market is rebalancing after favoring sellers for so long. There's still ground to make up with new construction, but the change in recent months has brought some much needed relief to buyers. And sellers still have it good, too. A calming market doesn't mean a stoppage – and there are plenty of benefits to being on that side of the equation."

"The housing market in Vermont has stayed strong favoring sellers. Since January, we are still seeing values in Chittenden County rise for both single-family and townhouse-condo sales," said RE/MAX North Professionals real estate agent Rich Gardner, who is based in Colchester, Vermont.

The average Close-to-List Price Ratio in July was 101%, meaning that homes, in general, sold for 1% more than the asking price. That dropped from 102% in June 2022 and July 2021.

Highlights and the local markets leading various metrics for July include:

New Listings 
Of the 53 metro areas surveyed in July 2022, the number of newly listed homes is down 7.8% compared to June 2022 and down 7.2% compared to July 2021. The markets with the biggest decrease in year-over-year new listings percentage were:

  • Kansas City, Missouri (-47.7%)
  • St. Louis, Missouri (-36.9%)
  • Burlington, Vermont (-32.2%)

Leading the year-over-year new listings percentage increase were in:

  • Dover, Delaware (+39.4%)
  • Phoenix, Arizona (+34.1%)
  • Trenton, New Jersey (+19.1%)

Closed Transactions 
Of the 53 metro areas surveyed in July 2022, the overall number of home sales is down 16.6% compared to June 2022, and down 26.3% compared to July 2021. The markets with the biggest decrease in year-over-year sales percentage were Houston, TX at -45.1%, San Diego, CA at -42.1%, and Miami, FL at -40.9%. No metro area had a year-over-year sales percentage increase.

Median Sales Price – Median of 53 metro area prices
In July 2022, the median of all 53 metro area Sales Prices was $415,000, down 2.9% compared to June 2022, and up 8.1% from July 2021. One metro area saw a year-over-year decrease in Median Sales Price, Dallas, Texas at -1.9%. Twenty-seven metro areas increased year-over-year by double-digit percentages, led by Tampa, Forida at +23.7%, Fayetteville, Arkansas at +21.6%, and Raleigh, North Carolina at +19.1%.

Close-to-List Price Ratio – Average of 53 metro area prices
In July 2022, the average Close-to-List Price Ratio of all 53 metro areas in the report was 101%, down 1.3% compared to June 2022, and down 1.1% compared to July 2021. The Close-to-List Price Ratio is calculated by the average value of the sales price divided by the list price for each transaction. When the number is above 100%, the home closed for more than the list price.

If it's less than 100%, the home sold for less than the list price. The metro areas with the lowest Close-to-List Price Ratio were Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Miami, Florida, tied at 97%, followed by another tie between Bozeman, Montana and New Orleans, Louisiana at 98%. The highest Close-to-List Price Ratios were in Burlington, Vermont at 105%, followed by a five-way tie between Boston, MassachusettsHartford, ConnecticutManchester, New HampshireRichmond, Virginia, and San Francisco, California at 104%.

Months' Supply of Inventory – Average of 53 metro areas
The number of homes for sale in July 2022 was up 13.3% from June 2022 and up 30.4% from July 2021. Based on the rate of home sales in July 2022, the Months' Supply of Inventory increased to 1.8 compared to 1.4 in June 2022, and increased compared to 1.2 in July 2021. In July 2022, the markets with the lowest Months' Supply of Inventory were Albuquerque, New Mexico at 0.7 followed by Manchester, New Hampshire at 0.8.

To read the full report, including charts and methodology, click here.

About Author: Demetria Lester

Demetria C. Lester is a reporter for DS News and MReport magazines with more than eight years of writing experience. She has served as content coordinator and copy editor for the Los Angeles Daily News and the Orange County Register, in addition to 11 other Southern California publications. A former editor-in-chief at Northlake College and staff writer at her alma mater, the University of Texas at Arlington, she has covered events such as the Byron Nelson and Pac-12 Conferences, progressing into her freelance work with the Dallas Wings and D Magazine. Currently located in Dallas, Texas, Lester is an avid jazz lover and likes to read. She can be reached at [email protected].
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