Housing Market Continues to Rebound

The housing market showed a number of positive signs in the midst of seasonal easing, according to the latest results from the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey. While homebuyer traffic continued to decline, the non-distressed market remained relatively strong in October. Time-on-market for non-distressed properties averaged 8.9 weeks in October, based on the three-month moving average, up only slightly compared with the previous month and well below the average of 12.0 weeks in October 2012.

Non-distressed properties in a number of states in the West were on the market a significantly shorter amount of time than the national average, led by California at 5.0 weeks in October, based on the three-month moving average. Non-distressed properties in the Farmbelt, South and Northeast were on the market for at least twice as long as properties in California. The average number of offers on non-distressed properties remained high in October at an average of 2.1, based on the three-month moving average. In October 2012, non-distressed properties received an average of 2.0 offers. 

Home prices for non-distressed properties are holding firm, with a national average of $270,700 in October, based on the three-month moving average, up from$265,500 the previous month and in line with the $271,500 average seen in October 2012.
 “There is a shortage of good inventory,” according to an agent in California. “Homes that are priced correctly and in good condition with good floor plans are selling quickly and often with multiple offers.”