Current Market Data

The nationwide housing inventory shortage that has driven growth in prices and demand in Boston and other major markets may be beginning to ease in other parts of the country, but not in Boston, according to RE/MAX’s National Housing Report for June.

Increased homebuyer demand and limited inventory continue to drive prices to record highs throughout the Bay State, and the Boston area is no exception.

With the increased number of professionals working remotely, today’s homebuyers are putting less of a premium on commute time and more on affordability.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that the median sales price slid to $361,800 from $380,700 in May.

Cape Cod real estate listings were at their lowest level in 18 years in June, according to the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors.

At the same time, the median existing-home price for all housing types in May was up 23.4% on an annual basis, as every region in the country registered price increases.

The Warren Group CEO Tim Warren says median sales prices will likely continue to break records this summer and fall.

Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted purchase index declined 6% from the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in June came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of
1,598,000, down 5.1 % from the revised May rate of 1,683,000, but 23.3% above the year-ago rate of 1,296,000.

July’s reading of 80 was down one point from June, but still signaled strong demand for housing, the National Association of Home Builders said.

During the four-week period ended July 11, the average weekly share of homes for sale with a price drop passed 4% for the first time since September 2020.

How luxurious is the American real estate market? You may be surprised.

Meanwhile, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted purchase index rose 8% from the previous week.

Adjectives reflecting the desire for privacy and physical isolation gained a place of prominence: “private,” “covered,” “quiet,” “separate” and “enclosed” were among the top 100 most-used description terms.

The competitive homebuying market showed signs of loosening up last month as bidding wars dropped from May despite being higher than they were a year ago.

It could take Boston-area renters more than a decade to save for a down payment in today’s market.