U.S. Home Sales Drop to 3-Year Low in January

According to the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales in the U.S. experienced a dip for the third consecutive month in January 2019. Of the four major U.S. regions, only the Northeast saw an uptick in sales activity last month.

Total existing-home sales, completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, decreased 1.2 percent from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.94 million in January. Sales are now down 8.5 percent from a year ago (5.40 million in January 2018).

Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, says last month's home sales of 4.94 million were the lowest since November 2015, but that he does not expect the numbers to decline further going forward. "Existing home sales in January were weak compared to historical norms; however, they are likely to have reached a cyclical low. Moderating home prices combined with gains in household income will boost housing affordability, bringing more buyers to the market in the coming months."

The median existing-home price for all housing types in January was $247,500, up 2.8 percent from January 2018 ($240,800). January's price increase marks the 83rd straight month of year-over-year gains.

Yun notes that this median home price growth is the slowest since February 2012, and is cautions that the figures do not yet tell the full story for the month of January. "Lower mortgage rates from December 2018 had little impact on January sales, however, the lower rates will inevitably lead to more home sales."

Total housing inventory at the end of January increased to 1.59 million, up from 1.53 million existing homes available for sale in December, and represents an increase from 1.52 million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 3.9-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.7 months in December and from 3.4 months in January 2018.

Properties remained on the market for an average of 49 days in January, up from 46 days in December and 42 days a year ago. Thirty-eight percent of homes sold in January were on the market for less than a month.

While total inventory grew (on a year-over-year basis) for the sixth straight month, Yun says the market is still suffering from an inventory shortage. "In particular, the lower end of the market is experiencing a greater shortage, and more home construction is needed," says Yun. "Taking steps to lower construction costs would be a tremendous help. Local zoning ordinances should also be reformed, while the housing permitting process must be expedited; these simple acts would immediately increase homeownership opportunities and boost local economies."

According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.46 percent in January from 4.64 percent in December. The average commitment rate for all of 2018 was 4.54 percent.

"Decelerated sales and the increases in inventory will work in favor of potential homebuyers, putting them in a better negotiating position heading into the spring months," said NAR President John Smaby. "On top of that, low-interest rates will bring an additional $80 per month savings compared to the rates of just a few months ago."

First-time buyers were responsible for 29 percent of sales in January, down from last month (32 percent), but the same as a year ago. NAR's 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers - released in late 2018 - revealed that the annual share of first-time buyers was 33 percent. 

All-cash sales accounted for 23 percent of transactions in January, up from December and a year ago (22 percent in both cases). Individual investors, who account for many cash sales, purchased 16 percent of homes in January, up from 15 percent in December, but down from a year ago (17 percent).

Distressed sales - foreclosures and short sales - represented 4 percent of sales in January, up from 2 percent last month and down from 5 percent a year ago. One percent of January sales were short sales.

Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales

Single-family home sales sit at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.37 million in January, down from 4.45 million in December and 8.4 percent below the 4.77 million sales pace from a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $249,400 in January, up 3.1 percent from January 2018.

Existing condominium and co-op sales were recorded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in January, up 3.6 percent from last month and down 9.5 percent from a year ago. The median existing condo price was $233,000 in January, which is up 0.1 percent from a year ago.

Regional Housing Breakdown

• January existing-home sales in the Northeast increased 2.9 percent to an annual rate of 700,000, 1.4 percent below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $270,000, which is up 0.4 percent from January 2018.

• In the Midwest, existing-home sales fell 2.5 percent from last month to an annual rate of 1.16 million in January, down 7.9 percent overall from a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $189,700, which is up 1.4 percent from last year.          

• Existing-home sales in the South dropped 1.0 percent to an annual rate of 2.08 million in January, down 8.4 percent from last year. The median price in the South was $214,800, up 2.5 percent from a year ago.

• Existing-home sales in the West dipped 2.9 percent to an annual rate of 1.00 million in January, 13.8 percent below a year ago. The median price in the West was $374,600, up 2.9 percent from January 2018.