Existing-Home Sales Subside 0.6 Percent in June

Existing-home sales decreased for the third straight month in June, falling 0.6 percent to 5.38 million sales as declines in the South and West exceeded sales gains in the Northeast and Midwest, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The ongoing supply and demand imbalance helped push June’s median sales price to a new all-time high at $276,900.

“There continues to be a mismatch since the spring between the growing level of homebuyer demand in most of the country in relation to the actual pace of home sales, which are declining,” he said. “The root cause is without a doubt the severe housing shortage that is not releasing its grip on the nation’s housing market. What is for sale in most areas is going under contract very fast and in many cases, has multiple offers. This dynamic is keeping home price growth elevated, pricing out would-be buyers and ultimately slowing sales,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.