Median Prices Continue to Rise in Fla.’s Housing Market in April 2017

-

ORLANDO, Fla., May 25, 2017 – (RealEstateRama) — Rising median prices and constrained inventory remained a prevailing trend in Florida’s housing market in April, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. The trend resulted in a loss of momentum for home sales: Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 23,829 last month, easing slightly (-1.2 percent) when compared to April 2016.

“Low inventory means fewer homes on the market and increased competition for those homes,” said 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. “It puts consumers in a position where they have to be prepared and ready to buy, as many Realtors around the state report seeing more instances of multiple offers. And, without more for-sale homes, median prices will continue to rise due to demand. In April, sellers of existing single-family homes received 96.2 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 94.7 percent – an indication that the listed price is extremely close to market value.

“Working with a local Realtor enables consumers to have the advice of an expert in their local housing market – someone who can guide them through their home search and help them find the right home that fits their budget and their lifestyle.”

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $234,900, up 10.3 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in April was $172,000, up 7.2 percent over the year-ago figure. April was the 65th month in a row that statewide median prices for both sectors rose year-over-year. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in March 2017 was $237,800, up 6.6 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $224,700. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in March was $517,020; in Massachusetts, it was $350,000; in Maryland, it was $269,204; and in New York, it was $249,000.

Looking at Florida’s townhouse-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 10,292 last month, down 4 percent compared to April 2016. Closed sales data reflected fewer short sales and cash-only sales last month: Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 38.5 percent while short sales for single-family homes also dropped 33.8 percent. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

“Closed sales of single-family homes were down in 14 of Florida’s 22 metro areas compared to last April, and fell by 1.2 percent statewide – but there is no indication that demand is falling off,” said Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “Rather, all signs continue to point to a market being held back by a shortage of homes for sale. As of the end of April, the statewide inventory of single-family homes for sale was down by nearly 5 percent compared to where it was a year ago.

“Additionally, single-family homes that did sell in April were snapped up as quickly as in any month in recent years. According to Florida Realtors median-time-to-sale metric, half of the single-family homes selling in April of last year went from listing to close in 90 days or less, but this April, that figure fell to 85 days or less – a 5.6 percent decline.”

He noted that the townhouse-condo market has been relatively more balanced than the single-family market from a statewide perspective for several months, but local markets experience more variance in townhouse-condo inventory levels.

April’s inventory remained constricted with a 4-months’ supply for single-family homes and a 6.1-months’ supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.05 percent in April 2017, up significantly from the 3.61 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.

SHARE
Avatar

Florida RealEstateRama is an Internet based Real Estate News and Press Release distributor chanel of RealEstateRama for Florida Real Estate publishing community.

RealEstateRama staff editor manage to selection and verify the real estate news for State of Florida.

Contact:

Previous articleHastings Introduces the TRUMPED Act
Next articleMiami Single-Family Home Sales Increase Again in April