Fla.'s Housing Market: New Listings, Median Prices Up in 2Q 2016

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Aug 10, 2016, 11:05 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida's housing market reported more new listings, higher median prices and fewer days to a sales contract during the second quarter of 2016, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 76,748 in 2Q 2016, up 1.4 percent over the 2Q 2015 figure.

"In the second quarter of 2016, Florida continued to add new jobs, which attracts new residents, encourages economic growth and strengthens the housing market," said 2016 Florida Realtors® President Matey H. Veissi, broker and co-owner of Veissi & Associates in Miami. "Traditional housing sales increased statewide over the three-month period, while sales of distressed properties continued to decline. In another positive sign, new listings for single-family homes over the three-month-period rose 2.9 percent year-over-year, while new condo-townhouse listings rose 3.3 percent."

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in 2Q 2016 was $220,000, up 10 percent from the same time a year ago, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for condo-townhouse properties during the quarter was $163,000, up 5.2 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

Looking at Florida's condo-townhouse market, statewide closed sales totaled 31,699 during 2Q 2016, down 2.7 percent compared to 2Q 2015. The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales – and rising traditional sales – over the three-month period: Short sales for condo-townhouse properties declined 42.2 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 36.7 percent. Meanwhile, traditional sales for condo-townhouse units rose 6.9 percent and traditional sales for single-family homes increased 14.4 percent year-over-year. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

"Existing home sale prices throughout most of Florida's metro areas are continuing to exhibit robust year-over-year growth," said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor. "This growth is attributable to simple economics, which is to say that demand is strong and supply is currently limited. The inventory of homes for sale at the more affordable end of the price spectrum – which includes the vast majority of distressed properties – continues to decline significantly, and new construction has not come close to making up the difference."

In 2Q 2016, the median time to a contract (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to receive a sales contract during that time) was 42 days for single-family homes and 50 days for condo-townhouse properties.

Inventory was at a 4.3-months' supply in the second quarter for single-family homes and at a 6-months' supply for condo-townhouse properties, according to Florida Realtors.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.59 percent for 2Q 2016, significantly lower than the 3.96 percent average recorded during the same quarter a year earlier.

To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Media Center at http://media.floridarealtors.org/ and look under Latest Releases, or download the 2Q 2016 data report PDFs under Market Data at: http://media.floridarealtors.org/market-data

Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 155,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

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SOURCE Florida Realtors