Existing Home Sales Rise in November, Inventory Tightens
Existing home sales increased 4.8% in November and jumped 6.1% from November 2023. Housing inventory declined to 1.33 million units, reflecting a 2.9% decrease from October but up 17.7% from last year. The median existing home price was $406,100, up 4.7% from last year, with all four U.S. regions reporting price increases.
Single-family home sales rose 5.0% from October, with the median price increasing 4.8% from November 2023 to $410,900. Condo and co-op sales grew 2.6% in November but declined 4.9% from the previous year, with the median price up 2.8% from the prior year to $359,800.
Homes were typically on the market for 32 days in November, up from 29 days in October and 25 days in November 2023. First-time buyers made up 30% of sales in November, up slightly from 27% in October but down from 31% in November 2023. All-cash sales accounted for 25% of transactions in November, down from 27% both in October and November 2023. Meanwhile, investors or second-home buyers represented 13% of homes purchased in November, down from 17% in October and 18% a year ago. Distressed sales, including foreclosures and short sales, represented 2% of purchases in November, unchanged from October and last year.