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Realtor.com® February Housing Report: Early Indications Show a Promising Spring Real Estate Season

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Realtor.com®'s February housing report reveals a 11.3% increase in new home listings and a 14.8% rise in active listings compared to last year. The South leads in inventory growth, especially in the $200,000 to $350,000 price range. Mortgage rates fluctuate, impacting home sales, with a notable 14.6% of homes having price reductions.
Positive
  • 11.3% more new homes listed in February 2024 compared to last year.
  • 14.8% increase in active listings from February 2023.
  • Southern regions show significant inventory growth, with the $200,000 to $350,000 price range seeing a 20.6% increase.
  • Mortgage rates fluctuate, impacting home sales, with a rise to 6.94% in early 2024.
  • 14.6% of homes experienced price reductions, marking the first increase since May 2023.
Negative
  • None.

The recent uptick in housing inventory, particularly in the $200,000 to $350,000 price range, is a significant development in the real estate market. This could potentially ease the affordability crisis that has plagued the market, especially for first-time homebuyers. The increase in inventory in the southern metros, notably in Texas cities such as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, could indicate a regional shift in the housing market dynamics. This increase may be a result of various factors, including economic growth in these areas, a response to the demand for more affordable housing, or a change in homeowner sentiment. However, it's essential to consider the broader economic context, such as the fluctuating mortgage rates, which could affect buyer affordability and thus housing demand. The reported stabilization around 6.6% in January and early February, followed by a rise after the inflation report, suggests that the market is sensitive to macroeconomic indicators, which could influence both short-term and long-term housing market trends.

From a market analysis perspective, the increase in active listings and the growth of inventory in the affordable housing segment are critical metrics that could signal a shift from a seller's to a more balanced market. This shift may lead to more competitive pricing and could potentially slow down the rapid price appreciation seen in previous years. The 14.8% year-over-year growth in active listings and the 11.3% increase in new listings provide opportunities for businesses in the housing industry, such as construction companies, real estate agencies and mortgage lenders, to adjust their strategies accordingly. It's important to note the regional variations, with southern metros experiencing the most significant inventory growth, which could attract investors and businesses to these markets. Additionally, the increase in the share of active listings with price reductions implies that sellers are becoming more flexible, which could impact the negotiation power of homebuyers and real estate agents.

For investors and stakeholders in the real estate sector, including REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and construction companies, the reported data could have various implications. The slight increase in median listing prices, coupled with a more considerable number of active listings, suggests that while the market is becoming more accessible, there is not a significant downward pressure on prices yet. This could mean a stable return on investment for current property holders, but also more opportunities for potential buyers, which could stimulate the housing market. The critical detail here is the balance between supply and demand, which can be disrupted by external economic factors such as inflation and changes in mortgage rates. A close monitoring of these trends is essential for making informed investment decisions in the real estate market.

Home sellers were more active this February, with 11.3% more homes newly listed on the market compared to last year

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Realtor.com®'s February housing report, the Spring housing market is shaping up to be an active one for prospective homebuyers. In fact, there were 14.8% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in February compared to the same time in 2023, which marks the fourth consecutive month of annual inventory growth.

"The first couple of months of 2024 have proven to be positive for inventory levels, as the number of homes actively for sale was at its highest level since 2020," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist of Realtor.com®. "While the country is still well below pre-pandemic levels, the South is leading the charge, moving faster than other parts of the country, largely driving the increase in availability of homes priced between $200,000 and $350,000, a price category that saw the most year-over-year growth nationally."

February 2024 Housing Metrics – National

Metric

Change over Feb 2023

Change over Feb 2019

Median listing price

+0.3% (to $415,500)

+40.4 %

Active listings

+14.8 %

-39.7 %

New listings

+11.3 %

-17.2 %

Median days on market

- 4  days (to 61 days)

 -14  days

Share of active listings with
price reductions

+1.4 percentage points

(to 14.6%)

-1.1  percentage points


Affordable Home Inventory Grows
Homes in the $200,000 to $350,000 price range grew by 20.6% compared to last year, outpacing all other price categories. For home shoppers looking for affordable options, this may lead to particularly favorable home buying conditions. And, though the market is still a ways away from pre-pandemic levels, homebuyers may anticipate more options to choose from, compared to recent years, heading into the hot spring homebuying season especially in this category.

Southern Metros See the Most Inventory Growth
The inventory of homes actively for sale increased in 29 out of 50 of the largest metros compared to last year. Orlando (+38.5%), Miami (37.4%) and Tampa (36.3%) experienced the most inventory growth. While most metros are still seeing lower inventory levels when compared to pre-pandemic years, three metros actually saw higher levels of inventory in February compared to typical 2017 to 2019 levels. The top three were in the South, particularly in Texas: San Antonio (+26.6%), Austin (+10.8%), and Dallas (+2.2%).

Mortgage Rates Remain in Flux, but Sellers are Ready to Move
As mortgage rates continue to shift, home sales have been sensitive to the fluctuations. While  rates declined abruptly in November and December they steadied around 6.6% in January and early February, before climbing higher following a hot inflation report, most recently hitting 6.94%. Additionally, the percentage of homes with price reductions increased from 13.2% in February of last year to 14.6% this year, marking the first time the share of price reductions had increased over the previous year since May of 2023. In fact, newly listed homes were 11.3% above last year's levels for the fourth month of increasing-listing activity after a 17-month streak of decline.

Additional details and full analysis of the market inventory levels, price fluctuations and stabilization, as well as days on market tallies can be found in the Realtor.com® February Monthly Housing Report.

February 2024 Housing Overview by Top 50 Largest Metros

Metro Area

Median Listing Price

Median Listing Price YoY

Median Listing Price per Sq. Ft. YoY

Active Listing Count YoY

New Listing Count YoY

Median Days on Market

Median Days on Market Y-Y (Days)

Price Reduced Share

Price Reduced Share Y-Y (Percentage Points)

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Ga.

$409,000

2.3 %

4.1 %

10.4 %

15.7 %

43

-8

15.4 %

0.5 pp

Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas

$542,000

2.1 %

3.2 %

8.1 %

13.9 %

60

-10

20.8 %

-5.3 pp

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Md.

$330,000

1.9 %

4.2 %

2.4 %

2.5 %

44

-5

11.4 %

0.1 pp

Birmingham-Hoover, Ala.

$286,000

5.7 %

5.6 %

24.2 %

14.9 %

65

2

13.2 %

-0.1 pp

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.-N.H.

$854,000

6.9 %

10.3 %

-3.3 %

5.9 %

33

-5

7.7 %

-2.1 pp

Buffalo-Cheektowaga, N.Y.

$251,000

10.4 %

13.6 %

-4.5 %

-0.4 %

67

5

5.3 %

-0.2 pp

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C.

$400,000

0.7 %

5.9 %

4.7 %

13.1 %

45

-10

14.5 %

0.6 pp

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.

$360,000

6.7 %

6.8 %

-13.4 %

0.5 %

40

-4

8.9 %

-0.8 pp

Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.

$337,000

-6.4 %

4.3 %

26.2 %

10.3 %

39

-10

10.9 %

1.2 pp

Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio

$212,000

6.5 %

7.9 %

-5.7 %

1.2 %

50

-3

10.8 %

-0.9 pp

Columbus, Ohio

$377,000

4.7 %

5.4 %

22.1 %

5.2 %

38

-2

15.8 %

3.4 pp

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

$435,000

0.0 %

1.6 %

25.4 %

20.0 %

48

-11

19.2 %

2.8 pp

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo.

$610,000

-3.6 %

6.2 %

30.0 %

17.6 %

35

-8

14.8 %

1.3 pp

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Mich.

$229,000

0.0 %

2.3 %

-4.8 %

2.8 %

46

-9

11.3 %

-2.9 pp

Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, Conn.

$400,000

0.9 %

5.3 %

-2.7 %

-6.3 %

41

7

5.8 %

0.7 pp

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas

$360,000

0.4 %

1.8 %

16.2 %

16.1 %

48

-6

16.8 %

1.1 pp

Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind.

$319,000

5.5 %

7.2 %

12.4 %

2.8 %

59

0

16.0 %

0.9 pp

Jacksonville, Fla.

$410,000

5.2 %

5.6 %

22.6 %

21.6 %

51

-13

20.8 %

1.1 pp

Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.

$421,000

-4.9 %

-2.4 %

1.7 %

20.0 %

73

-8

10.8 %

2 pp

Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev.

$465,000

4.4 %

5.6 %

-39.3 %

-2.9 %

40

-25

13.4 %

-8.6 pp

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif.

$1,137,000

16.8 %

9.4 %

-4.2 %

6.3 %

40

-12

8.9 %

-0.9 pp

Louisville/Jefferson County, Ky.-Ind.

$312,000

4.1 %

3.1 %

12.3 %

5.3 %

45

1

14.7 %

1.8 pp

Memphis, Tenn.-Miss.-Ark.

$325,000

0.4 %

2.7 %

35.5 %

11.5 %

68

1

18.2 %

3 pp

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla.

$550,000

-8.2 %

-1.3 %

37.4 %

20.7 %

62

-5

19.5 %

5 pp

Milwaukee-Waukesha, Wis.

$354,000

1.2 %

4.4 %

-2.0 %

-19.1 %

37

1

10.1 %

0.3 pp

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis.

$434,000

-0.1 %

0.2 %

16.4 %

37.4 %

37

-11

8.5 %

0.9 pp

Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.

$560,000

8.2 %

7.4 %

-2.8 %

10.3 %

38

0

17.3 %

-1.8 pp

New Orleans-Metairie, La.

$325,000

0.1 %

0.1 %

29.3 %

-1.7 %

83

14

16.3 %

0.9 pp

New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.

$750,000

10.2 %

16.6 %

-9.9 %

-3.1 %

69

-6

6.6 %

-0.7 pp

Oklahoma City, Okla.

$323,000

-7.4 %

-1.5 %

19.8 %

14.0 %

55

3

18.1 %

3.1 pp

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla.

$435,000

0.0 %

2.6 %

38.5 %

11.1 %

64

0

19.7 %

3 pp

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.

$340,000

5.4 %

6.3 %

-5.8 %

1.0 %

59

-4

11.0 %

-0.4 pp

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Ariz.

$540,000

10.9 %

4.6 %

-4.4 %

6.9 %

45

-16

25.1 %

-0.1 pp

Pittsburgh, Pa.

$232,000

16.2 %

12.0 %

6.1 %

12.5 %

75

-14

14.7 %

1.9 pp

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash.

$600,000

-1.2 %

3.5 %

21.1 %

8.9 %

55

2

19.1 %

8.8 pp

Providence-Warwick, R.I.-Mass.

$500,000

0.4 %

0.4 %

-8.1 %

2.3 %

38

-7

6.8 %

-1 pp

Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

$440,000

-2.2 %

5.7 %

-6.5 %

18.0 %

44

-22

12.1 %

-1.5 pp

Richmond, Va.

$449,000

14.3 %

7.7 %

11.5 %

8.2 %

48

-3

8.9 %

0.8 pp

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.

$595,000

6.3 %

7.5 %

-3.6 %

7.0 %

51

-15

12.9 %

-1.1 pp

Rochester, N.Y.

$250,000

7.5 %

8.3 %

-5.6 %

3.8 %

24

-4

8.7 %

1.3 pp

Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, Calif.

$633,000

4.4 %

4.6 %

-7.2 %

6.5 %

39

-13

10.4 %

-1.8 pp

San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas

$335,000

-1.5 %

-1.3 %

26.6 %

11.0 %

68

1

21.2 %

2.9 pp

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, Calif.

$997,000

6.9 %

11.4 %

5.8 %

8.2 %

33

-5

10.6 %

0.5 pp

San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, Calif.

$989,000

-1.3 %

-0.6 %

-2.0 %

6.0 %

29

-4

7.5 %

-1 pp

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.

$1,367,000

-2.3 %

-2.7 %

-12.8 %

16.6 %

23

-7

5.0 %

-3.4 pp

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.

$765,000

2.0 %

4.1 %

5.7 %

41.7 %

32

-11

7.3 %

-3 pp

St. Louis, Mo.-Ill.

$287,000

5.8 %

4.8 %

12.2 %

14.1 %

48

-16

10.5 %

0.8 pp

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.

$416,000

3.9 %

5.6 %

36.3 %

25.3 %

57

-2

25.5 %

4 pp

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.-N.C.

$385,000

3.5 %

6.1 %

9.3 %

7.2 %

36

-2

15.1 %

2.8 pp

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Va.-Md.-W. Va.

$599,000

2.5 %

5.7 %

-3.5 %

2.3 %

36

-4

8.5 %

-0.5 pp

Methodology
Realtor.com® housing data as of February 2024. Listings include the active inventory of existing single-family homes and condos/townhomes/rowhomes/co-ops for the given level of geography on Realtor.com®; new construction is excluded unless listed via an MLS that provides listing data to Realtor.com®. Realtor.com® data history goes back to July 2016. 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). With the publication of the January 2023 data, metro-level data has reverted to the prior OMB metro area definitions, published March 2020, and historical data has been revised to be consistent over time. Realtor.com® plans to adopt the July 2023 vintage definitions after other data providers have, so geographies are consistent with commonly used 3rd party sources. For example, the American Community Survey plans to update with the release of its 2023 estimates.

About Realtor.com®
Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com®.

Media Contact
press@move.com 

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realtorcom-february-housing-report-early-indications-show-a-promising-spring-real-estate-season-302079463.html

SOURCE Realtor.com

New listings increased by 11.3% in February 2024 compared to the previous year.

Homes in the $200,000 to $350,000 price range grew by 20.6% compared to last year, outpacing other categories.

14.6% of homes had price reductions in February 2024.

Southern metros like Orlando, Miami, and Tampa saw significant inventory growth, with increases of 38.5%, 37.4%, and 36.3% respectively.

Mortgage rates fluctuated, stabilizing around 6.6% in January and early February before climbing to 6.94%.

The share of homes with price reductions increased from 13.2% in February of last year to 14.6% in February 2024.
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