According to the RE/MAX National Housing Report, 2012 was the long hoped-for turnaround year for the housing market.
The report shows a broad recovery across the country, with both home sales and prices rising almost every month of the year. For December, the number of home sales was up 3.8 percent and the median price of those homes rose 7.6 percent. Throughout the year, a favorable combination of record low interest rates, affordable prices and a shrinking inventory created opportunities many consumers could not resist. The inventory of homes for sale fell each month of the year, ending the year at a level 29.1 percent below the inventory of December 2011. A reduced inventory helped home prices rise, but also made it difficult for many buyers to find the home of their dreams. The New Year should see the same trends continue.
“We can finally say the worst of the housing crisis is now behind us, as 2012 saw dramatic increases in both sales and prices, with home buyers and sellers coming back to the market in numbers we’ve been anticipating for years,” said Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX. “The market started 2012 with a great surge, and we’re hoping 2013 will be even stronger. We’re not completely out of the woods, but we’re well on the way to a solid and sustainable recovery.”
Source: RE/MAX