Haver Analytics
Haver Analytics
Global| Apr 25 2006

U.S. Existing Home Sales Increased Unexpectedly

Summary

Total existing home sales rose 0.3% to 6.920M last month following a 5.0% spurt during February that was revised down slightly from the initial figure. The gain reported by the National Association of Realtors contrasted to Consensus [...]


Total existing home sales rose 0.3% to 6.920M last month following a 5.0% spurt during February that was revised down slightly from the initial figure. The gain reported by the National Association of Realtors contrasted to Consensus expectations for a decline to 6.69M. Sales of single-family homes rose 0.3% after a 4.5% jump during February that was little revised. The data cover sales closed in the latest and previous months, and contrast to the new home sales data which count sales at the signing of a contract. In the Northeast, sales posted a strong gain for the second consecutive month (6.0% y/y) and rose to a record high level. Sales in the Midwest also rose, but moderately (3.6% y/y), while sales out West fell 2.3% and were 16.2% below the peak last June. Sales in the South also fell for second consecutive month (+2.1% y/y). The median price of an existing single-family home rose a slight 0.2% following four consecutive months of decline. Past price levels were, however, upwardly revised though at $217,300 the median price still was 5.4% below the August peak. Prices are not seasonally adjusted.

The latest release from the National Association of Realtors is available here.

Existing Home Sales (000, AR) Mar Feb Y/Y 2005 2004 2003
Total Home Sales  6,920 6,900 -0.7% 7,064 6,722 6,176
  Single Family Home Sales 6,070 6,050 -0.5% 6,170 5,912 5,443
Single Family Median Home Price (000) $217.3 $216.8 7.8% $206.3 $182.8 $169.1
  • Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio.   Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984.   He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C.   In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists.   Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.

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