May’s 1.8% monthly gain follows a 6.3% drop in April, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

“The biggest trend we’re seeing in the market over the last few months is the increase in inventory,” noted CCIAOR President Todd Machnik.

The pace of home-price appreciation slowed to its most modest pace since 2023, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index. 

The median-sales price for an existing home rose 1.3% year over year to $422,800. 

Nationally, home sales slid 3.5% year over year but rose 8.6% month over month, RE/MAX said. 

Homebuilder sentiment recently reached its third-lowest level since 2012. 

Housing inventory boomed during the month of May even as high prices continued to break records, according to a report released by the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS.

“With the continued increase in new listings, it’s a positive sign for buyers struggling to
find their stride in the market,” said Sarah Gustafson.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said the post-Memorial Day increase came despite economic uncertainty and largely static interest rates. 

Plus, with a median build year of 1964, Massachusetts has the third-oldest median home age in the nation.

The Northeast and Midwest remained strong, while Florida, which saw a major runup in prices in recent years, continued to cool. 

The 6.3% month-over-month decline was the steepest the U.S. market has seen since September 2022. 

In Boston, home prices rose 4.72% year over year and 0.74% month over month in March. 

Nationally, home sales slid 1.4% year over year but increased 11.3% month over month, RE/MAX said. 

The association noted, however, that 90% of the responses to its survey tracking homebuilder sentiment were received before the announcement of a 90-day reprieve in U.S.-China tariffs. 

The most recent Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey shows homebuyer activity continued despite the economic uncertainty.