Home-buyer Demand Remains Strong in September. Though posting a typical seasonal drop off from August, September’s U.S. home sales represented the most of any September in the 9-year history of the RE/MAX National Housing Report. Home sales dropped 11.7% from August to September – comparable to the 11.0% average decline over the previous eight years of the Report. But sales increased 2.0% over September 2015 that had previously been the very best September. The October Report uses numbers from September.
October 2016 RE/MAX National Housing Report
The September Median Sales Price of $219,780 was 5.1% over a year ago. As well as in an uncommon occurrence, not a single metro posted a year-over-year price drop. The most significant price 
gains were reported in Birmingham, AL (17.0%) and Miami (15.2%). The common Months Supply of Inventory rose from 3.4 in August to 3.9, the highest since February. But it is still far below the 6 months supply regarded as being a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers. Eight markets, predominantly within the Northeast, have a 6 if not more month supply. Meanwhile, 19 have 3 months or fewer, with the majority being in the West.
“The market usually sees fewer home sales in September, as buyers make a seasonal transition from summer to fall,” said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder. “Even so, sales were the highest of any September since we launched our Housing Report in 2008. Also, price increases continue to be in the moderate 5-percent year-over-year range. Overall, this is a market that most everyone can be satisfied with.”
Closed Transactions
In the 52 metro areas surveyed in September, the average number of home sales increased by 2.0% compared to one full year ago, making the eighth month this year with a year-over-year boost in sales. This marks the strongest September of sales since the Report’s inception in 2008. However, September showed a 11.7% decrease from August, but this is in line with decreases in previous years. This month, 34 markets experienced an increase in sales year-over-year with 6 markets seeing double-digit increases. Those markets include Trenton, NJ, +17.9%, Augusta, ME, +14.1%, Des Moines, IA +13.6%, Raleigh & Durham, NC, +11.6%, Boise, ID +11.3% and Seattle, WA 10.6%.
Median Sales Price – Median of 52 metro median prices
In September, the median of all the 52 metro Median Sales Prices was $219,780, down slightly at -3.1% from August 2016 and up 5.1% from September 2015. The median price in Providence, RI was unchanged from this past year, but every other metro area within the report saw year-over-year price increases, with 12 rising by double-digit percentages. The most significant double-digit increases were observed in Birmingham, AL +17.0%, Miami, FL +15.2%, Tampa, FL +14.6%, Portland, OR +14.5%, Denver, CO +13.1% and Boise, ID +12.6%.
Days on Market – Average of 52 metro areas
The average Days on Market for homes sold in September was 56, up two days from the average in August 2016, but down 5 days from September 2015. September becomes the 42nd consecutive month having a Days on Market average of 80 or fewer. The three metro areas with the lowest Days on Market are Omaha, Denver and San Francisco at 25, 27 and 28 respectively. The highest Days on Market averages continue to be in Augusta, ME at 128, and Des Moines, IA at 98. Days on Market is the number of days between when a home is first listed in an MLS and a sales contract is signed.
Months Supply of Inventory – Average of 52 metro areas
The volume of homes for sale in September was down 2.6% from August, and down 15.1% from September 2015. In accordance with the rate of home sales in September, the Months Supply of Inventory was 3.9, when compared with both last month and last year at 3.4 and 4.5 respectively. A 6.0-month supply indicates a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers. This month, only six metro areas reported a Months Supply of Inventory at 6.0 or above. The markets with the lowest Months Supply of Inventory are San Francisco, CA 1.6, Seattle, WA 1.7 and Denver at 1.7.