Houston homes sales gain momentum in February
The Houston real estate market built upon its strong 2020 start by registering an eighth consecutive month of positive home sales in February. Consumer activity was once again largely fueled by some of the lowest interest rates of all time. Single-family homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000 led the way in February sales followed by homes priced at or above $750,000, which comprise the luxury market. Leases of single-family homes also registered gains during the month.
According to the latest monthly market update from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), 6,044 single-family homes sold in February compared to 5,339 a year earlier, accounting for a 13.2 percent increase.
The single-family home median price (the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less) rose 5.2 percent to $245,000 and the average price climbed 5.9 percent to $301,648. Both figures represent the highest prices ever for a February.
Sales of all property types totaled 7,393, up 14.9 percent from February 2019. Total dollar volume for the month jumped 19.4 percent to slightly more than $2.1 billion.
“The Houston housing market gained momentum in February, thanks largely to record low mortgage rates that some economists say could drop even further,” said HAR chairman John Nugent with RE/MAX Space Center. “Concerns have been raised about the possible effects the coronavirus outbreak might have on our real estate market and others around the country, and that is something HAR is monitoring. Coronavirus was not a factor in the February housing data, but obviously with the losses that Wall Street has suffered as well as declining oil prices, we are keeping a watchful eye on housing market activity.”
Stewart Title chief economist Ted C. Jones, Ph.D., who provides economic forecasting services to HAR, anticipates “no measurable impact from coronavirus on Houston real estate” after performing an analysis of the market impacts of two pandemics (SARS and H1N1/Swine Flu) as well as the September 11 terrorist attacks. Noting that the aftermath of 9/11 coincided with SARS, and H1N1 coincided with the Great Recession, Jones said, “The pandemic or seismic event probably magnified or extended the trends of the time, but the total changes from the prior and the following year could not solely be attributed to the event. Hopefully that is same result for the coronavirus.” His complete analysis is available at http:// bit.ly/39IRKNq.
Lease property update
February delivered a mixed performance for the lease property segment of the marketplace. Leases of single-family homes rose 5.8 percent year over year; however, leases of townhomes and condominiums fell 2.2 percent. The average rent for singlefamily homes ticked up 1.8 percent to $1,768, while the average rent for townhomes and condominiums increased 3.5 percent to $1,607.
February monthly market comparison
With the exception of inventory, which lowered slightly due to strong consumer demand, February indicators for the Houston real estate market were up across the board. Single-family home sales, total property sales and total dollar volume all rose compared to February 2019, and pricing levels achieved February highs. Month-end pending sales for single-family homes totaled 8,547. That is a 28.0 percent jump over last year. Total active listings, or the total number of available properties, rose 3.8 percent to 40,091.
Single-family homes inventory recorded a 3.5-month supply in February, down fractionally from a 3.6-month supply a year earlier. For perspective, housing inventory across the U.S. stands at a 3.1-month supply, according to the most recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Single-family homes update
Single-family home sales rose 13.2 percent in February with 6,044 units sold throughout greater Houston, compared to 5,339 a year earlier. This marks the eighth straight month of positive sales. Prices reached the highest levels ever for a February. The median price increased 5.2 percent to $245,000. The average price rose 5.9 percent to $301,648.
Days on Market (DOM), or the number of days it took the average home to sell, remained unchanged at 68 days. Inventory registered a 3.5-month supply. That compares to 3.6 months a year earlier and is above the current national inventory level of 3.1 months reported by NAR.
Broken out by housing segment, February sales performed as follows:
• $1 - $99,999: decreased 20.2 percent
• $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 13.7 percent
• $150,000 - $249,999: increased 12.7 percent
• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 28.2 percent
• $500,000 - $749,999: increased 11.9 percent
• $750,000 and above: increased 21.0 percent
HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing single-family homes. Existing home sales totaled 4,743 in February, up 11.8 percent compared to the same month last year. The average sales price increased 5.8 percent to $287,891, while the median sales price rose 6.5 percent to $230,000.
Townhouse/condominium update
For the third straight month, sales of townhomes and condominiums were in positive territory, climbing 12.8 percent versus February 2019, with 477 units sold compared to 423 one year earlier. The average price jumped 14.5 percent to $216,170, while the median price rose 16.5 percent to $176,500. Inventory was unchanged at a 4.1-month supply.
Houston real estate highlights in February
• Single-family home sales jumped 13.2 percent year over year, with 6,044 units sold, marking the eighth consecutive month of positive sales;
• The Days on Market (DOM) figure for single-family homes was unchanged at 68 days;
• Total property sales surged 14.9 percent, with 7,393 units sold;
• Total dollar volume increased 19.4 percent to about $2.1 billion;
• The single-family home median price rose 5.2 percent to $245,000, reaching a February high;
• The single-family home average price climbed 5.9 percent to a February high of $301,648;
• Single-family homes months of inventory was at a 3.5-month supply, down fractionally from 3.6 months last February but above the national inventory level of 3.1 months;
• Townhome/condominium sales rose for a third straight month — up 12.8 percent, with the average price up 14.5 percent to $216,170 and the median price up 16.5 percent to $176,500;
• Lease properties experienced a mixed performance, as single-family home rentals increased 5.8 percent with the average rent up 1.8 percent to $1,768;
• Volume of townhome/condominium leases fell 2.2 percent, with the average rent up
3.5 percent to $1,607.