The median sales price for homes in Ada County was $533,950 in October, a slight 0.2% decrease from the September median sales price of $534,950. Inventory was up 158.5% year-over-year, with 1,145 homes available for purchase at the end of October.
We’re starting to see a shift in our market. While homes still sold for near record highs for the last few months, we haven’t seen the same month-over-month price jumps and properties aren’t flying off the market quite as fast as they were this spring and summer.
Generally speaking, the more competitive the market, the faster properties have an offer accepted and go under contract, as measured by the Days on Market (DOM) metric. Overall, DOM for existing home sales has trended down for the last five years, with the fastest DOM at nine days in May 2021. Since then, the DOM metric has inched up, reaching an average of 21 days in October 2021 — eight days longer than in October 2020.
As competition for homes increased, more buyers were willing to pay over list price. This became the primary factor driving up the median sales price from October 2020 through July 2021, when more than half of all home sales were sold for over list price. Since July 2021, the share has dropped significantly, making up 26.1% of all home sales in October 2021.
Additionally, price reductions on listed existing homes have become more common since June 2021. Weekly price reductions averaged less than one a week between January 1–June 6, and nearly eight a week from June 7–November 1. The $500,000-749,999 price range had the largest share of price reductions, making up nearly half of all adjustments year-to-date.
If existing homes are staying on the market longer, price reductions are becoming more common, and the majority of buyers are no longer paying over list price, why haven’t we seen a major drop in the median sales price?
One reason is that list prices have also gone up. Typically, homes for sale are priced based on comparable properties that have recently sold. As sales prices have risen, so have the comparables, or “comps.” These higher sales prices have may have also inspired more homeowners to sell, as existing inventory has also been trending up, with 703 available properties for sale at the end of October, an increase of more than 300% year-over-year.
The average list price of existing homes reached the $550,000-mark in June and remained above that level through the competitive summer months. Higher list prices were supported by the comparable sales in the weeks and months prior, but sale prices are ultimately determined by what buyers are willing to pay. As list prices shifted up in the latter part of the year, buyers were less likely to have to pay over asking to secure the property.
As the market adjusts to buyer’s expectations and needs, we may continue to see price reductions or even a drop in the average list price for existing homes. If list prices go down, it doesn’t necessarily mean sales prices will also drop. The median sales price for existing homes has held relatively steady, as has buyer demand. Homes are still selling at near record highs, but the rise in list prices may have eliminated some of the multiple offer situations and competition we saw occurring earlier this year.
In each of our reports in 2021, BRR is focusing on the various phases of a real estate transaction to help consumers be prepared before, during, and after a real estate transaction, showing them what their REALTOR® will be doing for them along every step, and the key data points they can look for to make sense of the market. To find a REALTOR®, visit realtor.com/realestateagents.
October 2021 marked the fifth month of year-over-year increases in inventory for the county —which left 70 homes for sale at the end of the month, 180.0% more than a year ago. 43 of the available housing stock was existing/resale homes, and the other 27 were new construction homes.
Sales were also up 1.9% compared to October 2020, and of the 53 homes that sold, 51 were existing/resale properties.
The rolling 12-month median sales price passed the $300,000 mark for the first time in October, reaching $309,000 and an increase of 34.1% compared to a year ago. Due to the smaller number of transactions that occur in the area, we use a rolling 12-month median sales price to get a better idea of the overall trends.
Despite higher prices, buyers wasted no time putting in offers. The average number of days between when existing homes were listed for sale and an offer was accepted was 18 in October, 47.1% faster than a year ago.
More options have come on the market for prospective buyers. Prices have been driven by a lack of supply compared to demand for years, and these upticks in inventory are inching us closer to a balanced market.
October 2021 marked the sixth month of year-over-year increases in inventory for the county —leaving 99 homes for sale at the end of the month, 191.2% more than a year ago. Of the 99 homes, 56 were existing/resale homes, and the other 43 were new construction homes — the most we’ve seen in Gem County since the beginning of our records in May 2006.
Sales were down 11.4% compared to October 2020, and of the 31 homes that closed, 20 were existing/resale properties.
The rolling 12-month median sales price reached $363,473 in October, an increase of 17.6% compared to a year ago. Due to the smaller number of transactions that occur in the area, we use a rolling 12-month median sales price to get a better idea of the overall trends.
The increase in inventory is good news for buyers, which is moving Gem County to a more balanced housing market. Whether someone is looking for an existing home or new home, there are options available.
Additional information about trends within the Boise Region, by price point, by existing and new construction, and by neighborhood, are now available here: Ada County, Elmore County, Gem County, City Statistics, and Condos, Townhouses, and Mobile/Manufactured Homes Market Reports. Each includes an explanation of the metrics and notes on data sources and methodology.
Ada County
Canyon County
Elmore County
Gem County
Condos…
City Statistics
Download the latest (print quality) market snapshot graphics for Ada County, Ada County Existing/Resale, Ada County New Construction, Elmore County, and Gem County. Since Canyon County is not part of BRR’s jurisdiction, we don’t publicly report on Canyon County market trends. Members can access Canyon County snapshots and reports as well as weekly snapshots in the Market Report email, or login to our Market Statistics page.
In addition to the market reports and analysis BRR sends members each month, we send press releases to local media contacts in order to promote the local market expertise that REALTORS® bring to every transaction. BRR’s market report data and/or interviews are featured in the following articles. Feel free to share with your clients, adding your own analysis and comments.
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The data reported is based primarily on the public statistics provided by the Intermountain MLS (IMLS), a subsidiary of Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR). These statistics are based upon information secured by the agent from the owner or their representative. The accuracy of this information, while deemed reliable, has not been verified and is not guaranteed. These statistics are not intended to represent the total number of properties sold in the counties or cities during the specified time period. The IMLS and BRR provide these statistics for purposes of general market analysis but make no representations as to past or future performance. If you have questions about this report, please contact Pete Clark, Director of Communications for Boise Regional REALTORS®. For notes on data sources, methodology, and explanation of metrics, visit boirealtors.com/notes-on-data-sources-and-methodology.
If you are a consumer, please contact a REALTOR® to get the most current and accurate information specific to your situation. For those seeking information on mortgage and rental assistance, including down payment programs, visit the Resources for Property Owners and Renters sections of BRR’s website.
Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR), a 501(c)(6) trade association, represents real estate professionals throughout the Boise region. Established in 1920, BRR is the largest local REALTOR® association in the state of Idaho, helping members achieve real estate success through ethics, professionalism, and connections. BRR has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Intermountain MLS (IMLS) and the REALTORS® Community Foundation.
“REALTOR®” is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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