Central Ohio Housing Inventory at ALL-Time Lows
Nationally pending home sales dipped for a second straight month in February. Each of the four major U.S. regions witnessed month-over-month declines last month, while results were mixed in the four regions year-over-year.
The declines come not from a cooling market, but from a red-hot one in which inventory is scarce. “The demand for a home purchase is widespread, multiple offers are prevalent, and days-on-market are swift, but contracts are not clicking due to record-low inventory,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
Although low housing inventory is nothing new, this February Central Ohio saw a 17 percent year-over-year decline in new listings. As one might assume. fewer homes added to the market resulted in fewer contracts and sales. And while sales were only down three percent last month, Pending Home Sales – a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings of sales to come – dropped almost 12 percent.
Five years ago, there were over 5,400 homes for sale in central Ohio. Ten years ago, there were over 15,500 homes for sale.
However, February 2021 ended with just 1,689 homes listed for sale, down 48.1 percent from a year ago and the lowest on record according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service.
Additionally, the months supply remains at 0.6 which means that, if no more inventory were added to the market, it would just over two weeks to sell all listed homes based on the current sales pace.
The BIA of Central Ohio reported that 11,864 housing permits were obtained by builders in 2020, a 46 percent increase from 2019 and the highest number since 2005 and preliminary data suggests a 32 percent increase in single-family permits in January.
Even with the additional new homes, central Ohio is still short of what is needed to meeting existing demand.
Areas that saw an increase in new listings last month include Grove City, Gahanna, Groveport, Downtown Columbus, Canal Winchester, Whitehall, Obetz, and Johnstown.
We’ve never seen inventory this low before and as a result, housing is moving at a frenzied pace and we’re seeing multiple offers and offers over asking price.
Buyers interested in winning the bid need to be prepared and move quickly.
Although the average days on market last month was 26, the time it takes a home to sell is based on several factors such as location, condition, and price.
Homes under $350,000 sold in an average of 21 days. Homes sold between $350,000 and $500,000 took about 39 days to sell. Homes sold between $500,000 and $700,000 sold in an average of 57 days and homes over $700,000 took an average of 68 days to sell.
The average home sale price was $266,893 in February, an increase of 13.4 percent. At $255,500, the median sale price reflected a 7.4 percent gain.
With demand significantly outpacing supply, most homes sold in February sold for more than the list price. Those home that did sell for more than asking price, sold for an average of five percent more.
“Many homeowners have been reluctant to open their homes for showing due to concerns about the pandemic,” added Jones. “We expect to see an increase in sellers entering the market this spring as more and more people get vaccinated.”
February 2021 Housing Stats
Here are the numbers (compared to the same month a year ago):
- Closed Transactions – 1,919 – DOWN 2.9%
- Pending Contracts – 2,415 – DOWN 11.9%
- Inventory for Sale – 1,689 – DOWN 48.1%
- New Listings – 2,047 – DOWN 16.6%
- Days on Market – 26 – DOWN 39.5%
- Average Sales Price – $266,893 – UP 13.4%
February 2021 Housing Report
All housing reports
If you, or someone you know is considering Buying or Selling an Investment Property in Columbus, Ohio please give us a call and we’d be happy to assist you!
The Opland Group Specializes in Real Estate Sales, Luxury Home Sales, Short Sales in; Bexley 43209 Columbus 43201 43206 43214 43215 Delaware 43015 Downtown Dublin 43016 43017 Gahanna 43219 43230 Grandview Heights 43212 Galena 43021 Hilliard 43026 Lewis Center 43035 New Albany 43054 Pickerington 43147 Polaris Powell 43065 Upper Arlington 43220 43221 Westerville 43081 43082 Worthington 43235
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