For the first time in 2014, March saw home sales increase over the previous month.  While sales were 10.1% below the levels of one year ago, they rose a significant 24.6% higher than February sales.  Every one of the 52 metro areas surveyed for the March RE/MAX National Housing Report saw an increase in sales over February. The median price of homes sold in March was 8.8% higher than the median price in March 2013.  A continuing low inventory of homes for sale has pressured prices to rise, especially in markets that have experienced an accelerated recovery. On a year-to-year basis, March became the 12th consecutive month with fewer inventory losses than the previous month. At the rate of sales in March, the Months Supply of inventory fell to 4.1, where a supply of 6.0 indicates a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers.

"Clearly, unexpected winter storms resulted in a slow start for housing this year, but the strong rebound in March sales could build momentum for spring and summer.  Many potential homebuyers who weren't able to get out and tour homes in January and February may still enter the market and impact sales in the next few months," said Margaret Kelly, RE/MAX CEO.

Closed Transactions – Year-Over-Year Change
March home sales rose by an average of 24.6% over sales in February.  While unusually harsh weather impacted January and February sales, the March increase marks the beginning of the 2014 home selling season.  The market still has ground to make up from the slow start and remains 10.1% below March 2013 sales.  However, for the first time in the Report's history (since August 2008), all 52 metro areas surveyed saw a monthly sales increase. The sharpest increases were seen in: Fargo, ND +57.0%, Providence, RI +39.2%, Burlington, VT +38.7%, Raleigh & Durham, NC+35.8%, Des Moines, IA +35.8%, Milwaukee, WI +34.3% and Pittsburgh, PA +32.7%. 

Median Sales Price
In the 52 metro areas surveyed for the March RE/MAX National Housing Report, the Median Sales Price for all homes sold was $186,941, which is a higher price than both the previous month and the same month a year ago. The March Median Sales Price was 3.6% higher than February's price and 8.8% above the price seen last March.  On a year-to-year basis, the Median Sales Price has now increased for 26 consecutive months. Over these several months, the low inventory situation has caused significant pressure on home prices.  Among the 52 metro areas surveyed, 41 reported higher sales prices than one year ago.  Of those, 16 reported double-digit increases including:  Detroit, MI +34.9%, Las Vegas, NV +23.3%, San Francisco, CA +18.6%, Miami, FL +17.1%, Honolulu, HI +16.0% and Atlanta, GA +14.7%.

Days on Market – Average of 52 Metro Areas
The average Days on Market for all homes sold in March was 77, which was 2 days less than the average in February, but 8 days less than the average in March 2013.  March marks the 22nd consecutive month with an average Days on Market below 90.  The low Days on Market average is mostly associated with a reduced inventory of homes for sale. Days on Market is the number of days between when a home is first listed in an MLS and when a sales contract is signed. 

Months Supply of Inventory – Average of 52 Metro Areas
A low supply of homes for sale continues to characterize today's market. However, the rate of year-to-year inventory reduction is declining. The inventory of homes for sale in March was just 0.2% less than February and 5.9% less than last March, when the year-to-year inventory loss was 29.5%.  At the current rate of sales, there is a 4.1 Months Supply of inventory.  Metros with a very low Months Supply include:  Denver, CO 0.5, San Francisco, CA 1.1, Boston, MA 2.1,Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 2.1, Houston, TX 2.1, Seattle, WA 2.1, Los Angeles, CA 2.2, and Washington, DC 2.2. A supply of 6.0 is considered balanced.