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Median condominium sale price spikes nearly 10 percent on year-over-year basis

PEABODY, September 25, 2019 – The median sale price for both single-family homes and condominiums continued to rise in August on a year-over-year basis despite modest declines in the number of sales, according to a new report from The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.

Last month, there were 6,606 single-family home sales recorded in Massachusetts, a 3.1 percent decrease from August 2018 when there were 6,818 transactions. Nevertheless, the median single-family sale price rose 4.7 percent on a year-over-year basis to $420,000, which marked an all-time high for the month of August. Year-to-date, there have been 39,259 single-family home sales – a 2 percent decrease from the first eight months of 2018 – with a median sale price of $402,000 – a 3.1 percent increase on the same basis.

“The median single-family home price continued to break records during the last full month of closings for the summer,” said Tim Warren, CEO of The Warren Group. “Sales were down in August for the third consecutive month. This year marks the third consecutive year of modest declines in home sales. Everyone is trying to figure out if this is a sign of a slowing market or simply a lack of inventory. I’m betting on a strong local economy and job growth to keep housing hot for another year.”

Concurrently, there were 5,958 purchase mortgages for single-family homes in August, marking a 3.2 percent decrease on a year-over-year basis. August purchase mortgages totaled $2.45 billion – a 0.1 percent decrease from a year earlier. Year-to-date, single-family homes have accounted for 35,422 purchase mortgages across Massachusetts totaling $14.39 billion.

In August, there were 2,609 condominiums sales, compared to 2,618 sales in August 2018 – a 0.3 percent decrease. Meanwhile, the median sale price spiked 9.9 percent to $401,000 – an all-time-high for the month of August. Year-to-date, there have been 16,440 condo sales – a 3.2 percent decrease – with a median sale price of $385,000 – a 2.7 percent increase from the first eight months of 2018.

“The August median condo price experienced the largest year-over-year gain seen so far in 2019,” Warren continued. “August marked the third month this year that the median condo price exceeded $400,000. With new developments planned and under construction in the greater Boston area, the statewide condo market may continue to set new records in the near future.”

Condos accounted for 1,927 purchase mortgages last month, totaling $721 million. Year-to-date, condos have accounted for 12,409 purchase mortgages totaling $4.64 billion.

ABOUT THE WARREN GROUP

Customers use The Warren Group to identify new business opportunities through access to comprehensive real estate and mortgage data, analytics, and industry news coverage. The Warren Group was established in 1872 and is now in its fourth generation of family ownership and management. It is the publisher of Banker & Tradesman, The Commercial Record, and The Registry Review. For more information visit www.thewarrengroup.com.