Double-digit growth for new listings for the sixth straight month

OVERVIEW

Activity in the Washington DC Metro Region continues to be steady and strong as we enter fall.  Sales increased in September as compared to this time last year.  Pending contracts also increased, but at a slower rate than earlier this year.  The increase in pending contracts was driven by condos and detached homes.  Total inventory continues to decline, but as in prior months, the pace of the decline is slowing.  Both townhomes and condos had year-over-year increases in active listings, but were offset by the decline in detached home listings.  Median sales prices reached their highest September-level in six years likely as a result of strong demand and tight supply.  Condo properties led the growth in closed sales while detached homes had the highest increase in median sales price.  Favorable market conditions continue to cause new sellers to enter the market, resulting in a 16.5 percent increase in listings from this time last year.  This is the sixth consecutive double-digit increase for this indicator.  Homes are selling quickly; the median-days-on-market was 17 days in September, which is the lowest September-level since the peak of the housing boom in 2005.  Federal uncertainty may play a stronger role over the coming months as the impact of the Federal Shutdown and debt ceiling are felt.

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Pace of inventory decline slows, even as sales growth continues

OVERVIEW

Demand remained strong in the Baltimore Metro Region in August.  The number of sales and pending contracts increased.  Inventories continue to decline, but the pace has slowed to only a single digit year-over year decrease for the second consecutive month.  The decline in overall inventories has been mitigated by the continuing trend of increased new listing activity. Demand for condo and townhome properties continues to be strong.  Townhome sales drove the majority of the increases in both sales and new contracts.  Smaller units had the highest increase in median sales price, with units less than 800 square increasing by 20.5 percent, or four times the 5.0 percent increase for all units.  The overall high demand and low supply contributed to median sale price gains within the region and resulted in the highest August-level median sales price in since 2008.  The median days-on-market continues to be historically low, and is now at its lowest August-level in eight years.  Rising prices and strong demand should continue to encourage new sellers to enter the market, increasing new listings and helping to meet pent up demand.

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