Sales of previously owned homes spiked 7.8 percent in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales, which include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.82 million from 4.47 million in July. The gains put sales 9.3 percent higher than year-before levels and mark the sixth-straight month of improvement. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said the housing market is steadily recovering, with consistent increases in sales adding to the evidence that more buyers are taking advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $187,400 in August, which is 9.5 percent higher than a year ago. At the current sales pace, there was 6.1-month supply of homes available for sale at the end of August. More here and here.
