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Ada County Home Prices Set Another Record
The median sales price for homes in Ada County reached $595,000 in April 2022, an increase of 23.9% compared to the same month last year, and a new record for the county.
Higher prices in the new construction segment played a large part in the overall price jump. New home sales made up nearly a third of all sales in April with a median sales price of $645,000, up 36.7% from last year. However, home prices rose across the board, with the median sales price for existing/resale homes reaching $570,000, a gain of 16.9% over last year. These were record highs for both segments.
Mortgage rates also rose in April, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average reaching 5.1% at the end of the month, according to data from Freddie Mac. National economists have predicted that the increase in mortgage rates will eventually slow the market, but we haven't seen a price slowdown in our local sales data yet. It's important to remember that homes that closed in April likely went under contract in February and March, so we may not see the immediate impact of rates on prices for a few months. Pending sales, or those with an accepted offer that are expected to close in the next 30-60 days, may provide a better indication of how rates are affecting our market at this time.
There were 1,525 pending sales at the end of the month, a 12.1% decline from April 2021, and 815 total sales for the county in April, down 17.0% year-over-year. The existing/resale segment claimed 586 of those sales, which was a drop of 12.3% compared to last year. Higher home prices, coupled with higher mortgage rates, which results in higher monthly payments for buyers who are financing a home purchase, may be hampering sales.
Looking specifically at existing/resale sales data in April, 53.2% of buyers paid over list price, indicating that competition remained strong, particularly at the median and lower price points. While it may seem obvious, it means nearly half of all buyers did not pay over list, resulting in an average original list price received of 101.0% for existing/resale homes in April 2022, compared to 104.9% in April 2021.
Buyers may be discouraged by increasing rates and prices, but there is some good news — in April, inventory increased by 170.0% compared to the same month last year. While supply is still constrained, especially at the lower price points, more year-over-year inventory is a sign we may be seeing a shift to a more balanced market.
There is some uncertainty as to how inflation, higher mortgage rates, and other economic factors will affect the residential housing market; however, REALTORS® understand that each homeowner and buyer's situation is unique, and help their clients make decisions based on factors that are within their control.
Whether you're ready to buy today or would like to purchase within the next two, five, or even ten years, work with trusted advisors to make a plan to reach your goals. Taking important steps today, such as improving your credit, researching down payment programs, and saving for your down payment in a tax-sheltered savings account can really make a difference when you're ready to make a move.
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