Existing Home Sales Drop 5.3% in January 2009 from December 2008

National Association of Realtors Report

Existing Home Sales Drop -5.3% in January 2009 from December 2008

Existing home sales:
December 2008: 4.74 million annual pace

January 2009: 4.49 million annual pace
-5.3%


45% of total sales involve distressed property, including foreclosures

Home sales price:
January 2008 median price: $199,800
January 2009 median price: $170,00
-14.8%


Average 30 year mortgage (According to Freddie Mac):
December 2008: 5.29%
January 2009: 5.05%
-4.54%


Home prices are down 27% from their 2006 high, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller data released on Feb. 24th. The massive overhang in the supply of housing was down to 9.3 months in December from 11.2 months in November, the l
argest drop since the NAR started keeping records in 1999. However, the supply of housing is still over twice its long-term average of 3.5 months, insuring that the plentiful supply of houses on the market will continue to depress prices.

Supply of Pre-Owned Homes on the Market Measured in Months