US sales of existing homes jump 20% after a 3-month slump
Americans stepped up home purchases in June by a robust 20.7%
BALTIMORE (AP) — Americans stepped up their home purchases in June by a robust 20.7% after the pandemic had caused sales to crater in the prior three months. But the housing market could struggle to rebound further in the face of the resurgent viral outbreak and a shrinking supply of homes for sale.
Sales of existing homes rose last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. Despite the sharp gain, purchases are still down 11.3% from a year ago, when homes had sold at an annual pace of 5.32 million. And Lawerence Yun, the Realtors' chief economist, noted that sales remain roughly 20% below their pre-pandemic levels.
At the same time, housing has managed to avoid a deeper slump from the severe recession caused by the coronavirus. Demand has remained strong among buyers who have managed to weather the downturn, while record-low mortgage rates have helped sustain affordability.
WHY RETAILERS SAY THIS HAS BECOME THE WORST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS
Even so, the number of property listings has plunged 18.2% from a year ago to 1.57 million. It's the 13th straight month of shrinking supply on an annual basis. The shortage of homes makes it unlikely that the housing industry can significantly boost the overall economy.
FILE - In this June 20, 2018, file photo, an "Under Contract" sign is displayed in front of home for sale in Raymond, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Home buyers typically purchase new furniture and fix up older properties. Their ability to deliver such a spending boost is constrained if they can't find an available house. The limited supply is also forcing up prices just when many Americans are struggling with financial uncertainty because of the recession.
ONE OF AMERICA'S TALLEST BUILDINGS SOLD TO WORLD TRADE CENTER DEVELOPER
The combination of steady demand and falling mortgage rates has helped fuel a 3.5% rise in the median price of an existing home over the past year to $295,300.