FInd a new HOme

 Single-family homes inventory reached a 1.8-months supply in July! 

Houston-area home sales were down this July compared to last. However, that is because COVID-related home closing delays during Q2 2020 finally pushed through that July as most of the pandemic lockdowns were lifted. The resulting surge of pent-up sales cemented July 2020 in the real estate history books as a record-setting month that could not be rivaled by the rapid-fire pace of the current market. 

According to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) July 2021 Market Update, single-family homes sales were down 6.1 percent compared to last July, with 10,159 units sold versus the historic 10,822 that sold a year earlier. However, when compared to July 2019 — an average month of home sales with volume totaling 8,921 — the Houston housing market was up 13.9 percent. On a year-to-date basis, local home sales currently exceed 2020’s record pace by 19.1 percent.

Once again, homes priced from $750,000 and above led the way in sales volume with a 36.7 percent year-over-year increase. That was followed by the $500,000 to $750,000 segment, which rose 18.9 percent. The single-family home average price increased 15.3 percent to $389,197 and the median price climbed 13.9 percent to $309,910. That marks the second-highest pricing of all time behind last month’s record-setting figures. 

Sales of all property types fell 3.7 percent year-over-year, totaling 12,383. That is the third greatest volume of all time behind June 2021 (13,115) and July 2020 (12,865). Total dollar volume for the month rose 11.4 percent to $4.5 billion.  

“We know anecdotally that the Houston real estate market is still red-hot, but the statistics make it appear to be slower than a year ago because of the surge in home closings that took place last July when the market began to normalize with the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions,” said HAR Chairman Richard Miranda with Keller Williams Platinum. “Assertive investors and cash buyers are still controlling the tides of this seller’s market, but hopefully that will moderate with a continued influx of new listings.”

In June 2021, the ‘Close to Original List Price Ratio’ for single-family homes reached 100.3 percent — the highest ever. That means that a majority of buyers paid above the list price for homes on the market. This July, it was 100.2 percent, indicating that this high-dollar buying trend continues. 

Lease Property Update

As in June, consumer demand for lease properties was down in July, and rent prices were up. Single-family lease homes fell 20.1 percent year-over-year while leases of townhomes and condominiums dropped 10.8 percent. The average rent for single-family homes jumped 11.4 percent to a record $2,162 while the average rent for townhomes and condominiums increased 5.8 percent to $1,756. 

July Monthly Market Comparison

The Houston housing market saw 13 consecutive months of positive sales come to an end in July as a result of a statistical anomaly. A surge in pandemic-delayed home closings in July 2020 set record levels that were no match for even the robust pace of the current market. 

Single-family home sales and total property sales registered declines versus last July while total dollar volume rose. Pending sales increased 2.4 percent. However, total active listings — or the total number of available properties — remain 20.6 percent lower than this same time last year. 

Single-family homes inventory reached a 1.8-months supply in July, down from 2.9 months a year earlier. However, that is the greatest supply of homes that the market has had in 2021 and reflects a 7.8 percent uptick in new listings. Housing inventory nationally stands at a 2.6-months supply, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

 Single-Family Homes Update Single-family home sales fell 6.1 percent in July with 10,159 units sold across the greater Houston area compared to 10,822 a year earlier. The decline reflected pandemic-related delays in closings during Q2 2020 that finally pushed through to record levels that July once lockdowns were lifted. However, in comparison to July 2019 — an average month of home sales — the Houston housing market was up 13.9 percent.  

The single-family home average price climbed 15.3 percent to $389,197 while the median price rose 13.9 percent to $309,910. Those are the second-highest pricing levels in Houston real estate history.

 The time it took to sell a home fell by almost four weeks compared to July 2020. Days on Market (DOM) went from 56 to 26. Inventory registered a 1.8-months supply compared to 2.9 months a year earlier. That level is the highest of 2021 but is below the current national inventory of 2.6 months recently reported by NAR. Broken out by housing segment, July sales performed as follows:

• $1 - $99,999: decreased 38.0 percent
• $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 37.7 percent
• $150,000 - $249,999: decreased 37.8 percent
• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 12.0 percent
• $500,000 - $749,999: increased 18.9 percent
• $750,000 and above: increased 36.7 percent
• 
  

HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing single-family homes. Existing home sales totaled 8,859 in July. That is up 1.1 percent from the same month last year. The average sales price rose 17.2 percent to $388,876 while the median sales price climbed 15.3 percent to $305,000.  

Lack of inventory leaves consumers few homes to buy (thegiffordgroup.net) 

HOUSTON — (June 9, 2021) — Houston area home sales set new records in May as consumers took advantage of historically low-interest rates in snapping up an ever-dwindling supply of properties for sale. What resulted was a nearly 50 percent jump in sales volume compared to the same month last year, when real estate was still in the process of recovering from coronavirus-related lockdown orders. Limited supply, strong buyer demand and increased construction costs all contributed to record-high home prices. 

According to the latest Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Market Update, single-family homes sales surged 48.2 percent compared to last May, with 9,702 units sold versus 6,546 a year earlier. That marks the greatest one-month year-over-year sales volume increase of all time and is the market’s twelfth consecutive positive month of sales. On a year-to-date basis, home sales are leading 2020’s record pace by 29.5 percent.

Homes priced from $750,000 and above led the way in May sales volume, shattering all previous measurements with a whopping 291.0 percent year-over-year increase. That was followed by the $500,000 to $750,000 segment, which rocketed 166.0 percent. This unprecedented surge in high-dollar homebuying is responsible for pushing pricing to record-setting levels. The single-family home average price rose 29.7 percent to $387,105 and the median price increased 21.7 percent to $304,000. 

Sales of all property types totaled 12,100 – the second highest volume of all time. That is up 55.5 percent from May 2020. Total dollar volume for the month soared 100.5 percent to $4.4 billion.  

“We are witnessing the most energized Houston real estate market in history,” said HAR Chairman Richard Miranda with Keller Williams Platinum. “Sellers maintain the upper hand, and buyers are not just meeting their demands. They are exceeding them, as we hear endless accounts of offers coming in that are thousands of dollars above list price. It’s difficult to predict how and when this incredible housing run will end.” 

Lease Property Update

Consumer demand for lease properties waned in May while rent figures rose. Single-family lease homes fell 26.8 percent year-over-year and leases of townhomes and condominiums declined 3.5 percent. The average rent for single-family homes jumped 10.6 percent to a record $2,025 while the average rent for townhomes and condominiums increased 8.5 percent to $1,716. 

Single-Family Homes Update

Single-family home sales leapt 48.2 percent in May with 9,702 units sold across the greater Houston area compared to 6,546 a year earlier. Heavy sales volume among homes at the high end of the market propelled pricing to levels that broke last month’s record-setting highs. The single-family home average price climbed 29.7 percent to $387,105 while the median price rose 21.7 percent to $304,000

Lack of inventory leaves consumers few homes to buy (thegiffordgroup.net)