Florida Housing Market Stable, Strong at End of 2014
Florida’s housing market wrapped up 2014 with more closed sales, more new listings and higher median prices than the year before, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
Palm Coast, FL – January 23, 2015 – Florida’s housing market wrapped up 2014 with more closed sales, more new listings and higher median prices compared to the year before, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
“In December and throughout 2014, we’ve seen positive signs that Florida’s housing sector is on a steady, sustainable path,” said 2015 Florida Realtors President Andrew Barbar, a broker with Keller Williams Realty Services in Boca Raton. “Sales are moving at a steady, moderate pace and home prices are stabilizing. Florida’s economy continues to grow, more jobs are being created and mortgage interest rates remain at historically low levels, which will help drive the state’s housing market forward in 2015.”
December 2014
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 22,414 in December, up 15.8 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
New listings of single-family homes for sale last month reached 24,840, up 2.9 percent year-to-year. Meanwhile, the statewide median sales price for existing single-family homes in December was $185,000, up 6.9 percent from the previous year. December marked the 37th month in a row that statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhome-condo properties rose year-over-year.
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in November 2014 was $206,200, up 5.6 percent from the same month a year ago. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in November was $445,280; in Massachusetts, it was $330,000; in Maryland, it was $250,424; and in New York, it was $227,500. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 9,466 units sold statewide last month, up 11.3 percent compared to December 2013. Meanwhile, new listings of townhome-condos reached 12,438 last month, up 3.4 percent year-to-year. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $149,000, up 8.4 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in November 2014 was $199,000.
“The December numbers are strongly positive for both the single-family and condo markets,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “We are seeing the steady and sustainable growth that has characterized the market the entire year continuing as the year ends. Of particular note is the inventory levels in the balanced market range: We’re keeping a close eye on the lack of inventory in the lower price ranges, but by and large, the market is in very good shape.”
Year End 2014 Florida single family summary, pdf
Year End 2014 Florida condo summary, pdf
Year End 2014 Florida single family data detail, pdf
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