Homebuyers should expect to have less choice and pay more this spring

Tight inventory and rapid price gains could make finding a home harder

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Mar 19, 2018, 10:00 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding a home to buy is getting more difficult according to the latest Nationwide Health of Housing Markets Report (HoHM Report). High demand and an ultra-low level of homes for sale is driving rapid price increases and – more importantly for prospective buyers – less time on the market.

"As we head into spring and the traditional season when sales heat up, buyers will find that desirable homes won't be on the market for long," said David Berson, Nationwide senior vice president and chief economist. "Today, the average home is on the market almost half the length of time that it was six years ago. Of course, that is good news for people looking to sell their home."

HoHM report data show that the average home was on the market – the time from listing to signing a contract – for 67 days in 2017. That time is cut in half in the nation's hottest markets. The typical home in Denver or Colorado Springs, for instance, was only on the market for about 33-34 days in 2017.

Other notable markets with low averages are:

San Francisco-Redwood City, Calif. (35 days)
San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. (37 days)
Portland, Ore. (38 days)
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (40 days)
Kansas City (41 days)

"Average days on the market across the country are extraordinarily low, especially in certain hot markets," said Berson. "When you factor in the nationwide trend of rapidly increasing prices, it's going to be a more difficult market for homebuyers this year."

National outlook remains positive

Despite rapid price growth and affordability concerns, Berson remains positive on the national housing market outlook.

"Household formations have offset much of the negative price impacts," he said. "The labor market is strong, and wages are increasing. Affordability remains a concern, especially for entry-level homebuyers in today's low-inventory conditions, but most indicators point to healthy, sustainable local markets with only a few extreme exceptions."

Four of the top 10 metro areas in the index are in Pennsylvania, and two of the top three are in Illinois. In order, the top 10 are: Johnstown, Pa.; Carbondale-Marion, Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Farmington, N.M.; New Bern, N.C.; Chambersburg-Waynesboro, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Auburn-Opelika, Ala.; Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.; and, Erie, Pa.

Delinquency rates throughout Florida and along the gulf coast of Texas spiked in 2017 Q4, likely an aftereffect of hurricanes that hit both areas in 2017. Four Texas MSAs, including Houston, were in the bottom 10 markets.

In order, the bottom 10 are: Victoria, Texas; Rapid City, S.D.; Sherman-Denison, Texas; Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas; Anchorage, Alaska; Houston-Sugar Land, Texas; Pueblo, Colo.; Brunswick, Ga.; Rochester, Minn.; and, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

More information about the HoHM Report, including the methodology used, can be found at blog.nationwide.com/housing. The HoHM Report is released on a quarterly basis online and in print.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

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SOURCE Nationwide