I wanted to share an overview this month of what is going on in the real estate market both nationally and statewide.
Existing-home sales showed some improvement in February, but remain constrained by low inventories of homes for-sale that are pushing price growth to the fastest pace in a year. The median existing-home price for all housing types was $202,600 in February – 7.5 percent higher than a year ago.
Mortgage rates, for now, continue to hover near historical lows. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.71 percent in February, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac. "With all indications pointing to a rate increase from the Federal Reserve this year – perhaps as early as this summer – affordability concerns could heighten as home prices and rents both continue to exceed wages," says Yun.
The following is an overview of how sales fared in February across the country:
·
Northeast: existing-home sales plunged 6.5 percent to an annual rate
of 580,000, but are 3.6 percent above year ago levels. Median price: $241,800,
up 3.3 percent year-over-year.
·
Midwest: existing-home sales were mostly unchanged from
January at an annual level of 1.08 million, but are 4.9 percent higher than
February 2014 levels. Median price: $152,900, up 8.8 percent from a year ago.
·
South: existing-home sales rose 1.9 percent to an annual rate of
2.11 million last month, and are 6 percent higher than year ago levels. Median
price: $177,900, up 8.5 percent from a year ago.
·
West: existing-home sales increased 5.7 percent to an annual rate
of 1.11 million in February, and are 2.8 percent above a year ago. Median
price: $290,100 -- 4.2 percent above February 2014.
According to the Missouri Association of Realtors February Market Summary the number of residential properties sold was up 9.7% YTD this year compared to 2012 and the median selling price rose by 22.7%. At the end of February 11% of currently listed properties were under contract.
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