At the halfway point of 2018, Massachusetts home prices keep rising amid buoyant market conditions. The current real estate market in Massachusetts is so robust that there has been speculation in the local media recently that a Greater Boston real estate bubble is forming. Those fears seems overblown, at least for now. (It is highly relevant to note that, in a recent article in Forbes, Greater Boston did NOT make Forbes’ list of 25 boom real estate markets in the US.)
However, a slight decline in single family home sales volume so far this year might arguably be a warning sign of an impending slowdown in the MA market’s upward momentum. But a closer look at what happened at the start of the last real estate downturn in 2006 seems to indicate that trouble may not yet be on the horizon for today’s strong housing market in Massachusetts.
Home prices heading ever higher
The statewide median single family home sale price in the first 6 months of the year, as reported by MLS-PIN, continued a climb that has been unrelenting since 2013.
The median single family home sale price rose 5.4% during the first half of 2018, compared to 2017’s half-year median. This was the sixth year in a row of rising midyear median home sale prices, putting MA’s median price 37% above where it stood at the midpoint of 2012.
Sales volume falters
As recorded on MLS-PIN, statewide single family home sales volume fell during the first 6 months of 2018.
This was the second year in a row that MLS-PIN records show that fewer single family homes changed hands in the Bay State. This tapering off is fairly minor, leaving midyear sales volume still near record highs. But the decline could nonetheless be interpreted as evidence of a budding resistance by home buyers to today’s ever-rising home prices. Let’s take a look back at the last real estate market cycle in MA to see whether the current sales decline could be signaling that there’s a slowdown ahead for Massachusetts real estate.
A home sales slowdown in 2005 – 2006 preceded a sharp downturn
Home sales activity at the top of the last market cycle back in 2005 – 2006 does bear some similarity to recent sales events. 2006 saw the second year in a row that MA single family home sales volume fell. That 2-year slowdown in sales in 2005 and 2006 was followed by a much more pronounced downturn in 2007 – 2009, which was triggered by the Great Recession.
However a closer comparison of the real estate market of 2006 to current market conditions reveals some very important differences. These differences may indicate that we are not facing a significant market slowdown now for the foreseeable future, despite the recent 2-year decline in home sales volume.
A much larger percentage decline in 2006 than in 2018
On a percentage basis, the home sale slowdown in 2006 was much larger than 2018’s sale sag. In the first 6 months of 2006, 9.7% fewer single family homes sold on MLS-PIN compared to 2005’s first half total. That’s a sizable drop. In 2018, on the other hand, the midyear sales decline was only 2.4%. 2018’s decline is fairly mild, lessening its potential for future significance.
Many more homes for sale in 2006 than in 2018
The next chart demonstrates another key difference between market conditions in 2006 and 2018: there were vastly more homes for sale in 2006 than there are today!
There were over 30,500 single family homes for sale across Massachusetts on MLS-PIN in July 2006. It was relatively easy to find a home to buy in 2006 simply because there were so many homes for sale. The 9.4% drop in home sales volume in 2006 can’t be blamed on inadequate supply. The slowdown in sales in 2006 was very likely due to a pullback in buyer demand, as the market headed toward the Great Recession. In any market, declining demand is a significant warning of an impending downturn in prices.
This July, there are just under 12,000 homes available for purchase on MLS-PIN. That’s 61% fewer homes for sale now than were available in July 2006! In July 2018, it’s really difficult to find a good home to buy because there are so few homes to choose from. 2018’s mild slump in home sales volume very well may be mostly (or even entirely) due to the current extremely tight inventory. It is possible that home buyer demand in 2018 may not be faltering at all.
Extremely tight supply getting even tighter in 2018
That buyer demand for homes may not be weakening in 2018 is reinforced by the chart below. The chart shows current home inventory levels, expressed as months of inventory. The chart covers a variety of geographic markets in Massachusetts and compares current inventories to supply levels of past years.
The chart above shows just how extremely low the supply of single family homes for sale is in 2018. (6 months of inventory represents a market in equilibrium. 4 months denotes a seller’s market.) With only 3 months of supply, or even less, in all the geographic markets shown in the chart above, current conditions in Massachusetts are very much tilted in favor of home sellers!
What’s most significant in the above chart is the fact that housing supply in the broadest, most important markets shown in the chart (Eastern MA and all of Massachusetts) is tighter this July than it was in July 2017. And July 2017’s supply was lower than it was back in July 2016. Ever tighter supplies indicate that demand for housing in MA has not been faltering at all. The slight slowdown in home sales volume in Massachusetts this year seems not to have been due to a fall-off in demand.
With demand for housing apparently intact, Massachusetts does not seem poised at midyear 2018 for significant market weakening or home price declines any time soon.
The housing market in Franklin, MA at midyear 2018
At the halfway point in 2018, the Franklin real estate market is having a banner year.
Franklin’s single family home median sale price is at a new all-time high. At $489,999, the median stands 2.5% over the prior high set back in 2006.
It’s the same story with single family home sales volume in town: 2018 has been a great year so far in Franklin!
What does the future hold?
No market – good or bad – stays the same forever. It makes sense that, at some point in the future, today’s vigorous housing market will soften. Home sales volume and housing inventory levels will be leading indicators of any future downturn. As the post discussing the possibility of a Greater Boston Bubble suggests, don’t bet against the MA economy and don’t try to time the market. Buy (or sell) your home when the time is right for you. Please contact me if you’d like my help in determining your best moves pertaining to buying or selling real estate!
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You get more with Warren Reynolds than you do with other top real estate agents. You’ll find in Warren rare knowledge and experience dedicated to helping you achieve all the value that home brings. Warren has a law degree and 20+ years of home selling success in Massachusetts. — talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"We have now bought and sold five homes. By far, you have been the best realtor we have worked with. Your professionalism and knowledge are so valuable to your clients. You made this process so easy. "-CB
Make better decisions
and feel in control.
Did you know you can materially improve your home selling success by choosing your marketing agent and brokerage brand wisely? It’s true! A marketing agent with a sterling reputation, backed by a strong brokerage brand, will do wonders for the reception your home gets upon entry to market. Call Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
Not only is Warren highly skilled and dedicated to protecting your best interests, he will be highly responsive to your needs! He CARES about his clients and is always, always there for them. Why not give it a try? Contact Warren now and see how well he takes care of you! – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"I had many, many questions which Warren was always more than willing to answer with a never ending patience. Throughout the process Warren looked out for my best interest. I may have purchased a garden style condo but Warren treated me like I was purchasing a million dollar estate!" -MP
Get the attention you deserve.
Warren is a very creative real estate practitioner and he uses that creativity in ways that provide important advantages to clients. Creatively runs in Warren’s family! His uncle was Harnett T. Kane, an internationally-recognized investigative journalist and New York Times best-selling author of thirty books about the American South. Experience Warren’s refreshing difference today! 508-561-6259
"Your creative approach to all aspects of my move helped make the transition easy and pleasurable. You were recommended to me by a friend who appreciated your integrity, expertise, friendliness and conscientiousness - qualities that I have witnessed in abundance as we've worked together." -KB
Get creative with Warren.
Warren is a highly dedicated professional in all his real estate dealings. That means he will continue to serve you well, even when others would compromise on their commitments. Warren’s ultimate goals in business are better transactions and greater client satisfaction. Talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
All real estate agents are legally and ethically bound to be fiduciaries acting in their client’s best interests. His name stands for integrity and he takes his fiduciary duties to you very seriously. He’ll steadfastly put your interests first throughout your home purchase or sale – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was always there for us. Throughout the process, Warren kept on top of all our concerns. Warren worked for us, and looked out for our best interest. He is a very professional and caring person." - BP
Feel safe and well taken care of.
Warren is a highly dedicated professional in all his real estate dealings. That means he will continue to serve you well, even when others would compromise on their commitments. Warren’s ultimate goals in business are better transactions and greater client satisfaction. His devotion to excellence can demonstrably improve your home buying and selling decision-making and, consequently, your experience of home ownership. Warren constantly stays current on the local housing inventory. And he is conversant with the broader market trends that affect home sales statewide link to Market Updates. Warren knows that the market knowledge he works so hard to maintain and his high standards of real estate practice help him achieve for you the lasting, true value of home ownership. Talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was the finest real estate agent we've ever worked with. This was evident to us in comparison to quite a few realtors we attempted to utilize, as they were not very helpful, understanding or willing to work with us based on our preferences." -SM
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional,
wait until you hire an amateur.” Red Adair
Did you know you can materially improve your home selling success by choosing your marketing agent and brokerage brand wisely? It’s true! A marketing agent with a sterling reputation, backed by a strong brokerage brand, will do wonders for the reception your home gets upon entry to market. Warren is known in the local brokerage community as a dependable, highly skilled professional who is a straight-shooter. Other agents like working with Warren because they know they can trust him to be a reliable partner in any transaction. And the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand stands for sound decisions and extraordinary strength and stability. The “Forever Brand” brokerage created by Warren Buffet sets the standard for the real estate industry by focusing not on selling more homes, but rather on selling homes for more!Call Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
Not only is Warren highly skilled and dedicated to protecting your best interests, he will be highly responsive to your needs! He CARES about his clients and is always, always there for them. In person, by phone, email or text, whenever you need him, you’ll get a prompt response from Warren! Warren’s clients rave about the high degree of consideration and attention they get from him. Why not give it a try? Contact Warren now and see how well he takes care of you! – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"I had many, many questions which Warren was always more than willing to answer with a never ending patience. Throughout the process Warren looked out for my best interest. I may have purchased a garden style condo but Warren treated me like I was purchasing a million dollar estate!" -MP
Get the attention you deserve.
Warren is a very creative real estate practitioner and he uses that creativity in ways that provide important advantages to clients. Creatively runs in Warren’s family! His uncle was Harnett T. Kane, an internationally-recognized investigative journalist and New York Times best-selling author of thirty books about the American South. Warren employs his own creativity by producing compelling marketing, both in print and especially online! His www.02038.com, is a highly effective website promoting the wonderful lifestyle afforded by the Town of Franklin, MA. And his Market Updates content on Massachusetts real estate trends gives home buyers and sellers alike the context they need to make more informed decisions about their housing investments. Warren frequently uses his abilities to devise resourceful solutions to the diverse challenges that threaten to complicate most real estate transactions. Warren has made real estate his career and won many sales awards in his 20+ years in brokerage, including the highly prestigious Chairman’s Circle Gold Award and the elite Centurion Award. Experience Warren’s refreshing difference today! 508-561-6259
"Your creative approach to all aspects of my move helped make the transition easy and pleasurable. You were recommended to me by a friend who appreciated your integrity, expertise, friendliness and conscientiousness - qualities that I have witnessed in abundance as we've worked together." -KB
Get creative with Warren.
You get more with Warren Reynolds than you do with other top real estate agents. You’ll find in Warren rare knowledge and experience dedicated to helping you achieve all the value that home brings. Warren has a law degree and 20+ years of home selling success in Massachusetts. His legal knowledge and decades-long experience in putting — and keeping — real estate sales together give him a better handle on the legal, practical and emotional dynamics of the real estate transaction. Warren uses these skills to empower clients to achieve more! He often anticipates and resolves problems BEFORE they can become serious impediments. Enjoy the sense of trust, security and control that comes from having a highly skilled expert at your side — talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"We have now bought and sold five homes. By far, you have been the best realtor we have worked with. Your professionalism and knowledge are so valuable to your clients. You made this process so easy. "-CB
Make better decisions and feel in control.
All real estate agents are legally and ethically bound to be fiduciaries acting in their client’s best interests. But many agents give their fiduciary duties short shrift in their quest for the quickest and easiest path to a closing. Not Warren Reynolds! His name stands for integrity and he takes his fiduciary duties to you very seriously. He’ll steadfastly put your interests first throughout your home purchase or sale. This may make Warren work longer and harder for you than most other agents would. But ultimately, Warren’s diligence and attention to detail is his commitment to an experience that transcends the sale. He wants you to have the confidence and peace of mind that comes with having a true fiduciary protecting you. Discover the difference of working with an agent who does not view you as just another opportunity for a commission – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was always there for us. Throughout the process, Warren kept on top of all our concerns. Warren worked for us, and looked out for our best interest. He is a very professional and caring person." - BP
Feel safe and well taken care of.