Nearly every major metro area across the country saw home prices continue to escalate in the second quarter. Median single-family home prices increased year over year in 96% of measured markets—or 174 out of 181—during the quarter, according to the latest report from the National Association of REALTORS®. That percentage matches the metro areas in the first quarter that saw price gains.
“Home prices have held up well, largely due to the combination of very strong demand for housing and a limited supply of homes for sale,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “Historically low inventory continues to reinforce and even increase prices in some areas.”
The national median existing single-family home price in the second quarter was $291,300—up 4.2% annually. That is, however, a slower pace of appreciation compared to the pre-pandemic growth rate of 7.7% that was recorded in the first quarter, NAR reports.
Fifteen metros saw double-digit increases in price growth in the second quarter, led by Huntsville, Ala. (13.5%); Memphis, Tenn. (13.4%); Boise, Idaho (12.6%); Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash. (11.8%); Indianapolis (10.8%); and Phoenix (10.2%).
San Jose, Calif., remained the most expensive metro areas in the second quarter at $1.38 million, up 3.8% from a year ago. San Francisco followed at $1.05 million, along with Anaheim, Calif. ($859,000), urban Honolulu ($815,700), and San Diego ($670,000).
Inventory Constraints Push on Prices
Home prices continue to rise as buyer demand remains high and a limited number of homes are for sale. At the end of the second quarter, 1.57 million existing homes were available for sale, which is 18.2% lower than total inventory from a year ago.
But fewer choices aren’t holding back buyers. Low mortgage rates, which have recently dipped below 3% for the first time, likely will attract more buyers into the market, Yun says. Those lower rates can make a difference in monthly payments. “Although housing prices have consistently moved higher, when the favorable mortgage rates are factored in, an overall home purchase was more affordable in 2020’s second quarter compared to one year ago,” Yun says.
For example, a household with a median family income of $82,471 spent 14.8% of their income on mortgage payments in the second quarter—that is less than the 16.4% figure of a year ago.
While low mortgage rates may be incentive to buy, “unless an increasing number of new homes are constructed, some buyers could miss out on the opportunity to purchase a home or have the opportunity delayed,” Yun says. “In the meantime, prices show no signs of decreasing.”
