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December Single-Family Homes Update(HAR report)
Single-family home sales totaled 7,505, up 14.3 percent from December 2018. That marks 2019’s greatest one-month percentage increase in sales. The median price rose 4.6 percent to a December high of $251,000. The average price increased 2.5 percent to $312,922 – also a December record. Days on Market (DOM), or the number of days it took the average home to sell, improved slightly from 64 to 63
December Monthly Market Comparison(HAR report)
The Houston housing market generated positive readings across the board in December with the exception of inventory. Single-family home sales, total property sales total dollar volume and pricing were all up compared to December 2018. Month-end pending sales for single-family homes totaled 5,796, an increase of 22.7 percent versus one year earlier. Total active listings, or the total number of available properties, rose 3.6 percent from December 2018 to 38,504.
Single-family homes inventory narrowed slightly from a 3.5-months supply to 3.4 months. For perspective, housing inventory across the U.S. currently stands at a 3.7-months supply, according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
2019 Annual Market Comparison(HAR report)
Economic uncertainty loomed as 2019 began, with federal workers on edge about the continuing government shutdown and escalating trade friction with China. The Houston real estate market entered 2019 with constrained inventory. However, the housing supply grew almost immediately, rising from a 3.6-months supply in January to a peak of 4.3 months in June and July. Months of inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity.
Real estate records were set throughout the year, with July going down as Houston’s greatest one-month sales volume of all time – 8,918 single-family units sold. A record high average price of $322,143 was reached in May while a record high median price of $252,700 was achieved in June.
By the time the books were closed on December transactions, a record 86,205 single-family homes had sold across greater Houston in 2019. That represents an increase of 4.8 percent from the previous record of 82,229 in 2018.
On a year-to-date basis, the average price rose 2.3 percent to $305,959 while the median price increased 3.2 percent to $245,000. Total dollar volume for full-year 2019 rose 6.7 percent to a record-setting $30 billion.
HAR report:Single-family home sales for the month of December jumped 14.3 percent to compared to December 2018. The strongest sales activity took place among homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000, which rocketed 27.2 percent. Homes in the $150,000 to $250,000 range ranked second place, climbing 13.7 percent. The luxury segment, consisting of homes priced from $750,000 and above, increased 12.7 percent.
Prices of single-family homes set new December highs. The median price (the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less) rose 4.6 percent to $251,000 while the average price went up 2.5 percent to $312,922. Despite those highs, pricing increases in general began to show moderation as the end of the year drew to a close.
HOUSTON — (HAR report, 2020) — Low mortgage interest rates, healthy employment growth and a stable supply of homes created fertile ground for the Houston real estate market, which blossomed to record levels in 2019. Single-family home sales for the full year surpassed 2018’s record volume by nearly five percent. December delivered the year’s strongest percentage increase in single-family home sales. However, as 2020 gets underway, housing inventory has shrunk slightly, which could narrow options for consumers that may be hoping to buy a home in the new year.
According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ (HAR) latest annual report, 2019 single-family home sales rose 4.8 percent to 86,205. Sales of all property types totaled 102,593, which represents a 4.3-percent increase over 2018’s record volume and marks the first time that total property sales have ever broken the 100,000 level. Total dollar volume for 2019 climbed 6.7 percent to a record-breaking $30 billion.
“During the latter half of 2019, we had a sense that we were headed toward a record year for Houston real estate, but no one expected it to be this strong a finish,” said HAR Chairman John Nugent with RE/MAX Space Center. “Townhomes and condominiums had a roller coaster ride and the luxury market cooled a bit, but overall, 2019 was a phenomenal year. As long as the Houston economy remains healthy and we see some growth in housing inventory, we expect 2020 to get off to a positive start,” he added.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in November(HAR report)
Single-family home sales rose 3.6 percent year-over-year, with 6,395 units sold;
On a year-to-date basis, single-family home sales are running 4.1 percent ahead of 2018’s record pace;
Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 60 to 59 days;
Total property sales increased 2.1 percent, with 7,577 units sold;
Total dollar volume rose 3.4 percent to $2.2 billion;
The single-family home median price increased 2.5 percent to $240,900, achieving a November high;
The single-family home average price ticked up 1.1 percent to $297,831 – also a record high for a November;
Single-family homes months of inventory was flat for the first time in 2019, holding steady at a 3.8 months supply. For comparison, the national housing inventory is at a 3.9-months supply, according to NAR;
Townhome/condominium sales fell 5.1 percent year-over-year, with 467 units sold. The average price increased 3.4 percent to $218,440 while the median price rose 2.5 percent to $168,625;
Single-family home leases fell 1.3 percent with the average rent up 2.6 percent to $1,775;
Volume of townhome/condominium leases dropped 8.7 percent with the average rent unchanged at $1,500.
Townhouse/Condominium Update(HAR report)
The roller coaster townhouse and condominium segment registered its second straight monthly decline. Sales tumbled 5.1 percent in November with 467 units sold compared to 492 in November 2018. The average price rose 3.4 percent to $218,440 while the median price increased 2.5 percent to $168,625. Inventory expanded from a 4.1-months supply to 4.6 months.
(HAR report):Broken out by housing segment, November single-family sales performed as follows:
$1 - $99,999: decreased 13.8 percent
$100,000 - $149,999: decreased 6.1 percent
$150,000 - $249,999: increased 1.3 percent
$250,000 - $499,999: increased 12.5 percent
$500,000 - $749,999: increased 5.2 percent
$750,000 and above: decreased 9.1 percent
HAR also breaks out sales activity for just existing single-family homes. Existing home sales totaled 5,103 in November. That is up 4.8 percent versus the same month last year. The average sales price eked out a 0.5 percent gain to $284,055 while the median price increased 3.2 percent to $225,000.
Single-Family Homes Update(HAR report)
November became the fifth consecutive positive month of single-family home sales, with 6,395 units sold across greater Houston compared to 6,170 a year earlier. That represents a 3.6 percent increase in volume. On a year-to-date basis, sales are running 4.1 percent ahead of 2018’s record pace. Home prices reached the highest levels ever for a November. The median price was $240,900, up 2.5 percent from the year prior. The average price edged up 1.1 percent to $297,831. Despite that, the increases are among the smallest of 2019 and reflect continued pricing moderation as the year draws to a close.
Days on Market (DOM), or the number of days it took the average home to sell, was 59 compared to 60 a year ago. Inventory was flat at a 3.8-months supply. The national inventory stands at 3.9 months, according to NAR.
November Monthly Market Comparison(HAR report)
The Houston real estate market generated positive readings overall in November. Single-family home sales, total property sales, pricing and total dollar volume all increased compared to November 2018, however inventory held steady. Month-end pending sales of single-family homes totaled 6,925. That represents a 23.5 percent increase over last year. Total active listings, or the total number of available properties, rose 5.2 percent to 42,139.
The November inventory of single-family homes was flat at a 3.8-months supply. It is the first time in 2019 that the Houston area saw no growth in the supply of homes – not unusual given that fewer homes are typically listed during the holidays. For perspective, housing inventory across the United States currently stands at a 3.9-months supply, according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). That is down from 4.1 months.
