Monthly Housing Update

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David Mendel

Public Relations Manager

Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 50,000 REALTORS®

MLS Report for March 2016
HOUSTON’S MARCH HOUSING NUMBERS SHOW STABILITY DESPITE ONGOING ENERGY JITTERS

Mid-range housing sees sales gains; overall market is ahead year-to-date

HOUSTON (April 13, 2016) Despite continued strains in the oil patch, the Houston real estate market demonstrated more sustainable conditions in March, with positive sales among mid-range homes and a growing supply of homes from which buyers can choose.

According to the latest monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), March single-family home sales declined 2.2 percent versus March 2015, with a total of 6,001 sales compared to 6,137 a year earlier. On a year-to-date basis, however, home sales are 1.0 percent ahead of last year’s pace. New listings helped boost inventory from a 2.8-months supply to 3.6 months.

“Overall home sales held steady throughout March, and much of that may be due to an influx of new residents throughout the Houston area even as the energy industry suffered more layoffs,” said HAR Chairman Mario Arriaga with First Group. “Positive home sales in the $150,000 to $250,000 price range and increasing housing inventory suggest that we are in a more sustainable market.”

In its April 2016 report on the Houston economy, the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) cited U.S. Census Bureau data showing the Houston metropolitan area leading the nation in population growth in 2015, with the addition of over 159,000 new residents. GHP stated that since April 2010, Houston has added over 736,000 residents and that energy industry layoffs have been offset by job creation in other sectors.

Home prices showed mixed readings in March. The single-family home average price declined 1.6 percent to $272,658. The median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 2.4 percent to $215,000, the highest price ever for a March.

March sales of all property types in Houston totaled 7,375, down 1.0 percent from the same month last year. Total dollar volume for properties sold in March fell 2.5 percent to $1.9 billion.

March Monthly Market Comparison

Houston's monthly housing market measurements were mixed in March compared to those from a year earlier, but still demonstrate what are considered more sustainable market conditions. On a year-over-year basis, single-family homes sales, average price, total dollar volume were down while inventory levels grew and the median sales price rose to a March high.

Month-end pending sales for single-family homes totaled 8,018, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to last year. Total active listings, or the total number of available properties, at the end of March shot up 21.0 percent from March 2015 to 34,504.

An increase in new listings in March gave single-family homes inventory a boost, with levels climbing from a 2.8-months supply to 3.6 months. For perspective, the national supply of homes reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) currently stands at 4.4 months.

CATEGORIES MARCH 2015 MARCH 2016 CHANGE
Total property sales 7,448 7,375 -1.0%
Total dollar volume $1,943,771,966 $1,894,976,160 -2.5%
Total active listings 28,507 34,504 21.0%
Single-family home sales 6,137 6,001 -2.2%
Single-family average sales price $277,064 $272,658 -1.6%
Single-family median sales price $209,900 $215,000 2.4%
Single-family months inventory* 2.8 3.6 28.6%
Single-family pending sales** 7,647 8,018 4.9%
* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.
** Effective May 2015, in an effort to be consistent with industry standards, the Houston MLS is now including all categories of pending sales in its reporting. Previously, the Houston MLS did not include “option pending” and “pending continue to show” listings in its reporting of pending sales. The new methodology is now all-inclusive for listings that went under contract during the month.

Single-Family Homes Update

Single Family

Single-family home sales totaled 6,001 in March, a decrease of 2.2 percent from March 2015.

The average price dropped 1.6 percent to $272,658, while the median price rose 2.4 percent $215,000, a record high for a March in Houston. Days on Market (DOM), or the number of days it took the average home to sell, edged up to 58 days versus 54 in 2015.

Broken out by housing segment, March sales performed as follows:

  • $1 - $79,999: decreased 19.8 percent
  • $80,000 - $149,999: decreased 17.4 percent
  • $150,000 - $249,999: increased 8.1 percent
  • $250,000 - $499,999: decreased 2.5 percent
  • $500,000 and above: decreased 12.4 percent
  • Single Family Average Home Price

    HAR also breaks out the sales figures for existing single-family homes. Existing home sales totaled 5,066 in March, down 1.0 percent versus the same month last year. The average sales price fell 2.7 percent year-over-year to $254,012 while the median sales price climbed 2.9 percent to $198,000.

    Townhouse/Condominium Update

    Sales of townhouses and condominiums rose 1.9 percent in March coming off of last month’s year-over-year decline of 10.5 percent. A total of 589 units sold compared to 578 properties in March 2015. The average price declined 2.0 percent to $193,483 while the median price rose 4.9 percent to $150,000. Inventory grew from a 2.6-months supply to 3.5 months.

    Townhouse/Condominium Sales

    Lease Property Update

    Demand for single-family lease homes remained strong in March, climbing 9.0 percent, while townhomes/condominiums saw demand increase by 7.4 percent. The average rent for single-family homes edged up 0.6 percent to $1,736 while the average rent for townhomes/condominiums rose 1.7 percent to $1,596.

    Houston Real Estate Highlights in March
    • Single-family home sales declined 2.2 percent compared to last March;
    • On a year-to-date basis, single-family home sales are up 1.0 percent;
    • Total property sales declined 1.0 percent to 7,375 units;
    • Total dollar volume fell 2.5 percent to $1.9 billion;
    • At 272,658, the single-family home average price was down 1.6 percent compared to last March;
    • The single-family home median price rose 2.4 percent year-over-year to an all-time March high of $215,000;
    • Single-family homes months of inventory climbed to a 3.6-months supply versus 2.8 months a year earlier;
    • Townhomes/condominium sales rose 1.9 percent with the average price down 2.0 percent to $193,483 and the median price up 4.9 percent to $150,000;
    • Leases of single-family homes climbed 9.0 percent with rents up a fractional 0.6 percent to $1,736;
    • Leases of townhomes/condominiums rose 7.4 percent with rents up 1.7 percent to $1,596.
    The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 32,000 REALTORS® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at https://www.har.com.

    The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.

    The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)

    Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a 32,000-member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.