Real Estate Inventory Fell in the Maryland Suburbs in June

July 22, 2019

Market Minute Logo 2019 smallActive inventory continued to fall throughout the suburban Maryland real estate market in June, according to the latest Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute report. Prince George’s County had the most drastic fall with a 33% decline, followed by Charles County which exhibited a 18% decrease. Number of homes sold also took a dip, with decreases ranging from 9% to 16%. Median sale prices crawled upward in most of the region, including a 3% increase in Prince George’s County 

The Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute report for the suburban Maryland region includes CharlesFrederickMontgomery and Prince George’s counties. 

Maryland Suburbs Market Minute Chart June 2019

 

“When going into this year we had certain expectations about the market and there were market factors that were headwinds for us,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. Foster said that the past six months have met these expectations, aside from a later spring market than anticipated.  

“You’re seeing units’ contract at high levels and median sales prices are going up, but at muted, low single digits.” However, Foster continues to be optimistic about the real estate market, citing the low interest rates, low unemployment rate and rising wages. 

Interest rates are staying low and are expected to stay low for the rest of the year. Inventory challenges remain and are not expected to ease up anytime soon. The unemployment rate is also low, and wages are rising, meaning people have more money in their pocket.  

Addressing the aging-in-place trend, Foster said there are a few reasons he doesn’t think people are moving. “Many are afraid they won’t be able to find a place they like once they sell their current home,” he said.

For the most part though, when people get older, they want something that’s more manageable – both physically and financially, he saidCommunities for those 55+ are an attractive option because they provide a lot of activities and benefits within a community of similar people. Having a knowledgeable real estate agent will help make the process easier by providing in-depth information that buyers can use to make a fully-informed opinion. 

Foster anticipates the rest of the year will be like 2018. “We’re a little bit ahead of where we were this time last year from a volume perspective,” he said. “In terms of the rest of the year though, I think it’s going to be really similar to what happened last year.” Foster said from now until Labor Day the market will slow down a bit before picking up again until Thanksgiving.

To learn more about your local market conditions, visit Long & Foster’s Market Insights. You can also learn more about Long & Foster and find an agent at LongandFoster.com.