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Sales activity for both single-family homes and condominiums declined in June on a year-over-year basis, as median sale prices reached new all-time highs, according to a new report from The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.

Last month, there were 5,004 single-family home sales in Massachusetts, a 20.5 percent decrease from June 2022 when there were 6,297 transactions. Meanwhile, the median single-family sale price increased 1 percent on a year-over-year basis to $612,250, a new record for single-family homes.

“Despite interest rates nearly double what they were this time last year, the Massachusetts single-family housing market broke another record in June,” said Cassidy Norton, Associate Publisher and Media Relations Director of The Warren Group. “Last month, the median sale price of $612,250 marked a new all-time high for single-family homes. Just three years ago, single-family home sale monthly median prices were consistently below $500,000 and interest rates were hovering around three percent. Single-family homes in Massachusetts have never been less affordable.”

Year-to-date, there have been 18,706 single-family home sales in Massachusetts, a 24.3 percent decrease from the first six months of 2022. Meanwhile, the year-to-date median single family home price increased 0.9 percent on the same basis to $555,000.

There were 2,372 condominium sales in June 2023, compared to 2,765 in June 2022 – a 14.2 percent decrease. Meanwhile, the median sale price increased 1.9 percent on a year-over-year basis to $545,000, up from $535,000 in June 2022, marking a new all-time high for the statewide median condo price.

“Condos followed similar trends to single-family homes last month,” Norton added. “The median sale price of $545,000 also marked a new all-time high. Historically, condos have been a more affordable alternative to single-family homes, but that’s no longer necessarily the case.”

Year-to-date, there have been 9,432 condo sales, a 23.2 percent decrease from the first six months of 2022 with a median sale price of $510,000, a 2.2 percent increase on the same basis.

Within the Interstate 495 corridor, The Warren Group said there were 3,331 single-family home sales in June 2023, which marked a 23.3 percent decrease from June 2022 when there were 3,331 transactions. Meanwhile, the median single-family sale price increased 2.0 percent on a year-over-year basis to $765,000. The company also reported only 1,743 condo sales, down from 2,088 sales in June 2022, marking a 16.5 percent decrease on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, the median condo price within the area increased 2.4 percent on the same basis to $635,000, down from $620,000 a year earlier.

A recent analysis of MLS data by brokerage and listings portal Redfin found that less than 1 percent of Greater Boston homes have changed hands this year.

And while mortgage rate-lock data from Black Knight suggested a surge in buyer interest locally in May, that did not translate to increased numbers of listings.

June Home Sales Data: ‘Mass. Never Been Less Affordable’

by Banker & Tradesman time to read: 2 min
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