Jun 15 - As an indication of how far demand has collapsed in the last few months, the number of pending listings of all areas & types in the ARMLS database is 6,873. This is the second-lowest number we have ever recorded for mid-June, beaten only by June 15, 2007. June is usually a strong month and we would normally expect counts to fall from June through the rest of the year.

We have been saying for several years that the imbalance in the market was caused by very low supply, not unusually high demand. This is illustrated by the fact that a sudden increase in mortgage interest rates can drop the demand to almost record lows.

Jun 14 - With demand down and supply growing, the upward pressure on pricing is dissipating very quickly. This is best measured by the average price per sq. ft. The readings move at different points in the cycle.

1. First to change are list prices for active listings, as sellers start to compete with each other by lowering their asking prices.
2. Second to change are list prices for listings under contract, as the better deals go under contract sooner than over-priced homes.
3. Last to change are prices for closed listings, since their contract prices were determined a month or two prior to close of escrow.

At the Cromford® Report, we like to measure these things on a daily basis. Hence the chart below, which covers six months. The figures for closed listings use the average for listing that closed in the immediately preceding monthly period. On June 13 this means listings that closed between May 13 and June 12.

Commentary and Chart below courtesy of Cromford® Associates LLC

A Majority of Consumers Say It's a Good Time To Sell Your House

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling your house, you’re probably looking for the best time to make your move. That means you’re likely balancing a number of factors, like your changing needs, where you’ll go when you sell, and today’s mortgage rates in order to time it just right.

According to recent data, that sweet spot could already be here. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae finds that 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell.

The graph below shows the percentage of survey respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a house. The big dip in March and April of 2020 reflects how consumer sentiment dropped at the beginning of the pandemic as uncertainty about the health crisis grew. Since then, the percentage has grown consistently as more people feel confident it’s a good time to sell.

In fact, survey respondents think it’s an even better time to sell a house today than they did in 2019, which was a strong year for the housing market. The latest survey results indicate one of the strongest peaks in seller sentiment in nearly three years (see graph below):

What Makes Today a Good Time To Sell?

One reason so many people think it’s a good time to sell is because there are still more buyers in today’s market than there are homes for sale. That’s driving home prices up, making it a good time to sell your house.

And if you’re on the fence about whether or not to sell because you don’t know where you’ll go once you do, know that you might have more options today than in previous months. That’s because the number of homes coming onto the market has grown each month since the start of the year. When more homes come onto the market, it gives you more opportunities to find one that meets your changing needs.

Bottom Line

While the number of homes available for sale is growing and giving you more options for your move, inventory is still low overall. That could mean it’s a great time for you to sell. If you’re ready to address your changing needs and take advantage of today’s favorable conditions, contact a local real estate advisor.