October Housing Market Insights: Strong Sales and Inventory Growth

October Housing Market Insights

Home Sales Were Unseasonably Strong While Inventory Climbed

In an unexpected turn, home sales during October witnessed a significant uptick, defying seasonal trends with a 6.7% increase compared to September. Notably, the results also reflect an 8.4% rise compared to the same month last year. This positive momentum means that year-to-date home sales in 2024 have already surpassed the sales recorded in 2023 for six months out of ten.

Interestingly, while new listings saw a slight dip of 0.7% from the previous month, they were still 14.8% higher than the numbers observed in October 2023. Active inventory, although climbing a modest 0.6% from September, displayed a remarkable 28.4% increase year over year. This trend is indicative of a shifting landscape as the market adjusts.

Home prices also showed resilience, as October's median sale price experienced a marginal increase of 0.3% from September. For the 16th consecutive month, year-over-year prices showed growth, going from $410,000 to $430,000, marking an overall rise of 4.9% compared to October 2023.

Amy Lessinger, President of RE/MAX, LLC, commented on this trend: "October brought some encouraging momentum. Buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates and closed deals. Although rising inventory levels are still falling short of demand, it's great to see motivated buyers moving forward and achieving homeownership."

Among the 52 metro markets surveyed, San Antonio stood out, experiencing a remarkable year-over-year surge in home sales by 24.6%. Broker Associate Sara Briseño Gerrish noted a concurrent increase in inventory, suggesting that a more balanced market could be on the horizon. She pointed out, "San Antonio remains the most affordable metropolitan area in Texas, making it an attractive option for buyers."

Key Metrics and Market Analysis

Various metrics offer a glimpse into the market dynamics:

• Days on Market rose to 42, an increase of two days from September and six days longer than October 2023.
• The Months' Supply of Inventory hit 2.6 in October, slightly down from 2.7 in September but up from 2.3 in the previous year.
• Buyers, on average, paid 99% of the asking price in October, holding steady compared to both September and October 2023.

New Listings Overview
In the 52 metro areas examined, new listings in October 2024 saw a 0.7% decrease from September, although it was a remarkable 14.8% gain from October 2023. Notable increases in new listings year-over-year were seen in:

• Las Vegas, NV: +40.1%
• Phoenix, AZ: +38.5%
• Bozeman, MT: +37.3%

Conversely, the following markets recorded significant declines in new listings:

• Tampa, FL: -42.4%
• San Francisco, CA: -9.1%
• Manchester, NH: -2.1%

Closed Transactions and Sales Trends

As of October, the overall number of home sales across the 52 metro areas rose by 6.7% month-over-month and 8.4% year-over-year. Markets showing significant year-over-year sales increases included:

• Seattle, WA: +27.4%
• San Antonio, TX: +24.6%
• Denver, CO: +22.9%

Conversely, some markets faced declines:

• Tampa, FL: -15.7%
• Miami, FL: -10.0%
• Orlando, FL: -9.3%

Median Sales Prices and Market Valuation

The overall median sales price across the 52 metro areas in October 2024 stood at $430,000, reflecting a 0.3% increase since September and a 4.9% rise from October 2023. Markets experiencing substantial year-over-year growth in median sales prices included:

• Dover, DE: +15.7%
• Milwaukee, WI: +12.1%
• St. Louis, MO: +11.3%

Markets reporting decreases included:

• Coeur d'Alene, ID: -2.1%
• San Antonio, TX and Tulsa, OK: -1.9%

Final Insights and Market Future

Looking ahead, the housing market continues to evolve, demonstrating resilience amidst fluctuations in inventory and sales. Understanding regional trends is critical for buyers and sellers alike to navigate this dynamic landscape effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What influenced the rise in home sales in October 2024?

The increase in home sales is largely attributed to lower mortgage rates, which motivated buyers to proceed with their purchases.

How did October 2024’s median home prices compare to previous months?

The median home price for October 2024 was $430,000, which marks a 0.3% increase from September and a 4.9% increase year-over-year.

Which metro areas saw the largest increase in new listings?

Las Vegas, NV, led the charge with a +40.1% increase in new listings compared to the previous year.

How does the Days on Market metric reflect the current housing market?

In October 2024, homes stayed on the market for an average of 42 days, up two days from the previous month, indicating a slightly longer sales process.

What are the trends for supply of inventory in the housing market?

The months' supply of inventory was 2.6 in October 2024, down slightly from September but significantly higher than the previous year, highlighting a gradual improvement in inventory levels.

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