US home sales saw a significant decline in June, with deals falling apart at record rates according to multiple sources. Redfin reported that approximately 56,000 home purchases were canceled last month, equal to about 15% of all homes that went under contract during the same period. This marks the highest share of cancellations for June in Redfin's data since 2017 (Bloomberg).
The National Association of Realtors also reported a decrease in sales, with existing home sales dropping by 5.4% to an annual rate of 3.89 million units in June compared to May (CNBC). This is the slowest sales pace since December and a significant decline from the previous year.
Despite these declines, home prices continued to rise, reaching new record highs in June. The median existing-home sales price reached an all-time high of $426,900 (Fox Business). This marks the second consecutive month that prices have hit a new record and the 12th straight month of year-over-year gains.
The reasons for these trends are complex. Affordability pressures, driven in part by rising mortgage rates, are contributing to the decline in sales (Bloomberg, CNBC). At the same time, inventory levels remain low and supply is struggling to keep up with demand (CNBC).
These trends have significant implications for potential home buyers. The market remains challenging for those looking to purchase a home. However, there are signs that the market may be shifting towards more balanced conditions, with inventory levels increasing and sales declining (CNBC). This could provide some relief for buyers in the coming months.
It's important to note that these trends are not limited to any one region or price range. Sales declined across all four major US regions and prices continued to rise in all price categories (ABC Action News).
As always, it's important to be aware of potential biases in the sources used for reporting on these trends. Some sources may be more reliable than others, and it's essential to consider multiple perspectives when evaluating complex economic data.