Summer 2022 has been a season of change for the U.S. real estate market. With housing affordability at a 33-year low, existing-home sales have continued to soften nationwide, falling 5.9% month-to-month and 20.9% year-over-year as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Pending home sales have also continued to decline,a while new listings have steadily increased, with unsold inventory reaching 3.3 months’ supply at the start of August. The pullback in demand has been particularly hard on homebuilders, causing new-home sales and construction to slow.

 

New Listings decreased 10.7 percent for single-family homes but increased 16.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 5.5 percent for single-family homes but increased 1.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 22.8 percent for single-family homes and 32.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

 

The Median Sales Price was up 9.5 percent to $450,000 for single-family homes and 32.5 percent to $330,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market remained flat for single-family homes but decreased 9.1 percent for townhouse- condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 5.9 percent for single- family homes and 30.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inflation, higher interest rates, and fears of a potential recession have taken a toll on buyers and sellers this summer, leading many people to stay on the sidelines to see what will happen with the market. But some experts, including NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, believe the worst of inflation may be over. Although sales prices remain up from this time last year, price growth is expected to moderate in the months ahead as the market continues to shift in a more buyer-friendly direction.”