Existing-Home Sales Declined 3.3% in June

Washington, DC, July 20, 2023-Total existing-home sales receded 3.3% from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.16 million in June, according to the National Association of Realtors. Year-over-year, sales fell 18.9% (down from 5.13 million in June 2022).

"The first half of the year was a downer for sure with sales lower by 23%," said NAR Chief economist Lawrence Yun. "Fewer Americans were on the move despite the usual life-changing circumstances. The pent-up demand will surely be realized soon, especially if mortgage rates and inventory move favorably."

Total housing inventory registered at the end of June was 1.08 million units, identical to May but down 13.6% from one year ago (1.25 million). Unsold inventory sits at a 3.1-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.0 months in May and 2.9 months in June 2022.

"There are simply not enough homes for sale," Yun added. "The market can easily absorb a doubling of inventory."

The median existing-home price3 for all housing types in June was $410,200, the second-highest price of all time and down 0.9% from the record-high of $413,800 in June 2022. The monthly median price surpassed $400,000 for the third time, joining June 2022 and May 2022 ($408,600). Prices rose in the Northeast and Midwest but waned in the South and West.

"Home sales fell but home prices have held firm in most parts of the country," Yun said. "The national median home price in June was slightly less than the record high of nearly $414,000 in June of last year. Limited supply is still leading to multiple-offer situations, with one-third of homes getting sold above the list price in the latest month."

Properties typically remained on the market for 18 days in June, identical to May but up from 14 days in June 2022. Seventy-six percent of homes sold in June were on the market for less than a month.

First-time buyers were responsible for 27% of sales in June, down from 28% in May and 30% in June 2022. NAR's 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that the annual share of first-time buyers was 26%, the lowest since NAR began tracking the data.

All-cash sales accounted for 26% of transactions in June, up from 25% in both May 2023 and June 2022.

Individual investors or second-home buyers, who make up many cash sales, purchased 18% of homes in June, up from 15% in May and 16% the previous year.

Distressed sales – foreclosures and short sales – represented 2% of sales in June, virtually unchanged from last month and the prior year.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.96% as of July 13. That's up from 6.81% the previous week and 5.51% one year ago.