HOUSTON — (April 17, 2012) — The Houston real estate market enjoyed a tenth consecutive month of rising sales in March, with homes continuing to sell quickly enough to keep housing inventory at its lowest level since December 2008. Average and median prices achieved the highest levels for a March in Houston, with the average price coming just a few dollars shy of the all-time high set in June 2008.

According to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), March sales of single-family homes rose 7.8 percent versus one year earlier. That follows February’s 15.6 percent jump which was the biggest sales boost since last September. Declining sales of homes priced below $80,000 combined with increased activity in the luxury housing segment fueled the pricing gains.

“March was an excellent month for home sales in Houston and the healthy appreciation in pricing is welcome news as well,” said Wayne A. Stroman, HAR chairman and CEO of Stroman Realty. “Inventory remains at its lowest level in more than three years and is outpacing the national real estate market. The moderation in pending sales in March could possibly translate to a leveling off of sales before we enter the summer buying season, but we will know for sure next month.”

The March single-family home average price rose 5.7 percent year-over-year to $227,270, the highest level for a March in Houston and only $70 below the all-time high reached in June 2008. The median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—climbed 7.8 percent to $161,750, also a record high for a March in Houston.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fell 12.8 percent year-over-year in March. Foreclosures comprised 19.6 percent of all property sales, which is down from the 21.1 percent level observed over the past 12 months. The median price of foreclosures in February was flat at $81,500.

March sales of all property types in Houston totaled 5,908, an increase of 7.4 percent compared to March 2011. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month soared 15.2 percent to $1.3 billion versus $1.1 billion a year earlier.

March Monthly  Market Comparison

The month of March brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all sales categories are compared to March 2011. Total property sales, total dollar volume and average and median pricing rose on a year-over-year basis.

Month-end pending sales for March totaled 4,162. That is down a fractional 0.7 percent from last year and may suggest a slight tapering of sales when the April housing data are compiled. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of March declined 17.8 percent from March 2011 to 41,997. For the second month in a row, the inventory of single-family homes held to the lowest level since December 2008-5.6 months. That compares to 7.5 months one year earlier and means that selling the entire inventory single-family homes currently on the market would take 5.6 months to complete based on the past year’s sales activity. The figure is superior to the national inventory of single-family homes of 6.4 months recently reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These indicators continue to demonstrate that Houston has a balanced real estate marketplace.

CATEGORIES	MARCH 2011	MARCH 2012	PERCENT CHANGE
Total property sales	5,499	5,908	7.4%
Total dollar volume	$1,122,788,737	$1,293,042,237	15.2%
Total active listings	51,091	41,997	-17.8%
Total pending sales	4,190	4,162	-0.7%
Single-family home sales	4,634	4,996	7.8%
Single-family average sales price	$214,980	$227,270	5.7%
Single-family median sales price	$150,000	$161,750	7.8%
Months inventory*	7.5	5.6	-25.9%

* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.

Single-Family Homes Update

Townhouse/Condominium Update

Lease Property Update

Houston Real Estate Milestones in March

• Volume of single-family home sales rose 7.8 percent, accounting for the tenth consecutive monthly increase;
• At $227,270, the single-family home average price reached the highest level for a March in Houston and came just $70 short of the all-time high achieved in June 2008.
• At $161,750, the single-family home median price also hit the highest level for a March in Houston;
• Single-family home rentals rose 10.3 percent;
• Townhouse/condominium rentals increased 3.8 percent;
• 5.6 months inventory of single-family homes remains at the lowest level since December 2008 and compares favorably to the national average of 6.4 months.

The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of REALTORS® includes residential properties and new homes listed by  REALTORS®  throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties.  Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com.

The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants.

The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.)

Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is a member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second largest local association/board of REALTORS® in the United States.