May Existing Home Sales Down Nearly 10%–But Analysts See Upside

Existing home sales fell by nearly 10 percent in May from April—the third consecutive monthly decline in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak—the National Association of Realtors reported yesterday. But analysts saw positive signals despite the drop, as first-time buyer and Millennial demand showed signs of intensifying.

MBA Chart of the Week: Existing Home Sales and Inventory

Existing home sales plunged in April, as much of the U.S. economy and housing market bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic’s social distancing and closures. There was an 18 percent drop in the seasonally adjusted, annualized pace of home sales, the largest single month decline since July 2010.

MBA Chart of the Week: Existing Home Sales and Inventory

Existing home sales plunged in April, as much of the U.S. economy and housing market bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic’s social distancing and closures. There was an 18 percent drop in the seasonally adjusted, annualized pace of home sales, the largest single month decline since July 2010.

March Existing Home Sales Fall—But Worst Is Yet to Come

After a promising start to the spring home-buying season, existing home sales tumbled in March to a nearly five-year low, the National Association of Realtors reported yesterday—and because of the coronavirus pandemic, the outlook for April isn’t any better.