The 2021 housing market was one for the history books. After three consecutive months of increases recently, existing home sales are on pace to hit their highest level in 15 years, with an estimated 6 million homes sold in 2021 according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Sales prices reached new heights, inventory hit rock bottom, and homes sold in record time, often for well above asking price. Mortgage rates, which began the year at historic lows, remain attractive, and homeowners who choose to sell in the coming months can expect to see plenty of buyer activity due to pent-up demand during the pandemic.

New Listings decreased 2.2 percent for single-family homes and 10.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales remained flat for single-family properties but increased 9.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 46.2 percent for single-family homes and 54.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties. The Median Sales Price was up 14.3 percent to $400,000 for single-family homes and 29.9 percent to $315,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market remained flat for single-family homes but increased 2.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 47.1 percent for single-family homes and 55.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

Looking ahead, experts anticipate many of the housing market trends of 2021 will continue in 2022, albeit at a more moderate level. Strong buyer demand and inventory shortages are likely to persist over the next year. Home sales are projected to remain strong but will be tempered by the limited supply of homes, higher sales prices, and rising interest rates, with the Federal Reserve planning multiple rate hikes in the new year. Price growth is expected to slow somewhat as a result, but affordability will likely remain a top constraint for some homebuyers.

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The economy is improving, unemployment is falling, and the U.S. real estate market remains strong as we head into the holiday season, a period when activity typically slows as people take time to travel, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones. Although the market is not as frenetic as was seen earlier this year, buyer demand is high, bolstered by attractive mortgage rates and a low supply of inventory.

New Listings increased 6.1 percent for single-family homes but decreased 4.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 11.7 percent for single-family homes but decreased 10.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 45.6 percent for single-family homes and 44.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 15.8 percent to $415,000 for single-family homes and 7.0 percent to $276,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 20.5 percent for single-family homes and 44.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 47.4 percent for single-family homes and 40.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The most recent data from the National Association of REALTORS® reports the median single-family existing home sales price rose 16% in the third quarter of this year to $363,700, with all four regions of the country experiencing double-digit price growth. In new construction, builder confidence increased in November, surpassing analyst expectations and rising to 83 on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), the highest level since spring, despite persistent labor and supply chain challenges and a shortage of available lots.

The U.S. housing market remains robust, with strong activity reported across both rental and residential housing fronts. Single-family rent prices are increasing rapidly, as demand for single-family housing and inventory constraints forces some buyers to rent, increasing competition and pushing rents up across the nation. Meanwhile, sales of new construction single-family homes recently hit a six-month high, rising 14% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 800,000, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

New Listings decreased 20.6 percent for single-family homes and 19.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 1.9 percent for single-family homes and 17.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 43.3 percent for single-family homes and 43.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 16.5 percent to $396,000 for single-family homes and 2.7 percent to $285,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 25.0 percent for single-family homes and 31.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.5 percent for single-family homes and 36.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

As temperatures drop, existing home sales continue to be plentiful, buoyed by strong demand, low interest rates, and a slight uptick in new listings in recent months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. With interest rates inching upward, and experts expecting further rate increases on the horizon, motivated buyers are hoping to lock in their home purchases to take advantage of what are still historically low rates.

Wondering what your home is worth in your current market? Get a free market analysis today! 

The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) has released its market statistics for September 2021. The information is derived from data contained in the New England Real Estate Network and covers Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

Nationwide, existing home sales were down slightly in August, falling 2% after two consecutive months of increases, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The decline in existing home sales coincides with rising sales prices, which have continued to soar into fall, with the median sales price of existing homes up 14.9% compared to last year. Declining affordability has had a significant impact on homebuyers, many of whom have been priced out of the market and are choosing to wait for sales prices to ease before resuming their home search.

New Listings decreased 10.4 percent for single-family homes and 10.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 0.4 percent for single-family homes but decreased 11.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 40.5 percent for single-family homes and 47.7 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 15.7 percent to $395,000 for single-family homes and 0.5 percent to $284,050 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 35.6 percent for single-family homes and 33.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 41.7 percent for single-family homes and 46.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

There are signs the market may be shifting, however. New listings have continued to hit the market, bucking seasonality trends commonly seen in the fall, a time when listing and sales activity typically slows as children return to school. As inventory increases, competition for homes may soften, and could even bring a moderation in sales prices, which, after 114 months of year-over-year gains, would be music to the ears of homebuyers throughout the country.

If you have questions about the real estate market please contact us at (802) 372-5777 or request a complimentary market analysis today.

The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) has released its market statistics for August 2021. The information is derived from data contained in the New England Real Estate Network and covers Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

The booming U.S. housing market has spilled over to the rental market, which has seen demand for apartment and single-family rentals skyrocket this year, as high sales prices and an inadequate supply of available housing have forced many prospective buyers to rent for the foreseeable future. Increased demand for housing, along with an improving economy, has competition for rental units soaring, and landlords are taking note, with the national median rent increasing 11.4% in 2021 so far, according to Apartment List.

New Listings decreased 21.7 percent for single-family homes and 15.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 4.5 percent for single-family homes and 16.1 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 37.3 percent for single-family homes and 36.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 23.4 percent to $412,000 for single-family homes and 1.6 percent to $249,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 57.1 percent for single-family homes and 31.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.3 percent for single-family homes and 38.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

In new construction, home builders continue to struggle to meet buyer demand, as housing starts nationwide dropped 7% last month, according to the Commerce Department. Single-family home construction declined 4.5%, and multi-family home construction, which includes condos and apartment buildings, was also down, falling by 13%. Labor shortages, rising material costs, and supply-chain setbacks continue to challenge builders, with some projects temporarily paused due to availability and cost of materials.

If you have questions about the real estate market please contact us at (802) 372-5777.