Philadelphia Region Sees Continued Low Inventory in March 2014

April 23, 2014

Market Minute LogoThe greater Philadelphia real estate market, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, is seeing positive trends, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. The median sale price increased in some areas of Philadelphia and inventory remained low throughout the area in March.

The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are compiled from data from residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.

March 2014 Market Minute Chart

Inventory remained tight throughout the entire Philadelphia region in March. Philadelphia County experienced a 12 percent decrease in inventory. Both Chester and Delaware counties experienced a 10 percent decline in inventory, and both Bucks and Montgomery counties experienced a 9 percent drop in inventory.

The median sale price increased in some areas of the region in March compared to the same month in 2013. Chester County experienced a 3 percent increase in median sale price, while Philadelphia County saw a 2 percent increase. Median sale prices decreased by 2 percent to 10 percent in other areas.

Although the number of units sold decreased throughout most of the area, Bucks County saw no change compared to March 2013. Homes in the area are selling in about three to four months on average. According to March data, days on market (DOM) was 85 days in Philadelphia County and 88 days in Chester County. Other areas experienced days on market averages of 92 days to 97 days.

“Though the housing market got a slow start this year after a harsh winter, we’re beginning to see some positive trends happening in the real estate market, including in the Philadelphia region,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “In many places, we’re seeing homes selling quickly and increasing in median sale price. Now that the temperatures are heating up, we expect to see many continued improvements in the market.”

The Long & Foster Market Minute is an overview of market statistics based on residential real estate transactions and presented at the county level. The easy-to-read and easy-to-share reports include information about each area’s units sold, active inventory, median sale prices, months of supply, new listings, new contracts, list to sold price ratio, and days on market. Featuring reports for more than 500 local areas and neighborhoods in addition to more than 100 counties in eight states, The Long & Foster Market Minute is offered to buyers and sellers as they aim to make well-informed real estate decisions.

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