Sales: According to the Tuscaloosa Multiple Listing Service, Tuscaloosa-area residential sales totaled 221 units during September, up 16.3 percent from 190 sales in the same month a year earlier. September sales were down 5.6 percent compared to 234 sales in August. Results were 24.9 percent above the five-year September average of 177 sales. Two more resources to review: Quarterly Report and Annual Report.

For all Tuscaloosa-area home sales data, click here.

Inventory: Total homes listed for sale in the Tuscaloosa area during September were 880 units, a decrease of 8.4 percent from September 2017’s 961 units and an increase of 5 percent from August 2018’s 838 units. September months of supply totaled 4 months, a decrease from September 2017’s 5.1 months of supply. However, September‘s months of supply increased from August’s 3.6 months of supply.

Pricing: The Tuscaloosa median sales price in September was $187,500, an increase of 11.8 percent from one year ago and an increase of 10.5 percent from the prior month. This direction is consistent with historical data (2013-17) indicating that the September median sales price on average increases from August by .2 percent. The differing sample size (number of residential sales of comparative months) can contribute to statistical volatility, including pricing. ACRE recommends consulting with a local real estate professional to discuss pricing, as it will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The average number of days on the market (DOM) for homes sold during September was 62 days, equal to 62 days in September 2017 and a decrease of 7.5 percent from 67 days in August.

Forecast: September sales were nine units, or 4.3 percent, above the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s (ACRE) monthly forecast. ACRE projected 212 sales for the month, while actual sales were 221 units. ACRE forecast a total of 2,146 residential sales in the Tuscaloosa area year-to-date, while there were 2,102 actual sales through September.

ACRE’s statewide perspective: While nationwide sales declined during September, residential sales in Alabama continued to grow during the early fall of 2018. Total residential sales in Alabama increased 8.5 percent year-over-year from 4,678 to 5,074 closed transactions. Year-to-date through September, statewide residential sales are up 6.8 percent from 44,272 one year ago to 47,283 currently. Home price appreciation in the state grew but at a slower pace than in previous months. The median sales price in September increased 0.6 percent from $161,480 to $162,482 while the year-to-date median sales price is up 4.4 percent from 2017. Although nationwide inventory levels are starting to stabilize, Alabama’s residential inventory decreased 8.9 percent from one year ago. Low inventory levels were a major factor contributing to rising sales prices throughout 2018. With low inventory levels, it is not surprising to see homes selling more quickly than in previous years. Homes selling in Alabama during September spent an average of 90 days on the market, an improvement of 18 days from 2017.

NAR’s national perspective: During September, nationwide sales volume for existing homes decreased 9.1 percent year-over-year from 462,000 to 420,000 closed transactions. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, rising interest rates played a significant role in September sales declines in markets across the nation. “This is the lowest existing home sales level since November 2015,” he said. “A decade’s high mortgage rates are preventing consumers from making quick decisions on home purchases. All the while, affordable home listings remain low, continuing to spur underperforming sales activity across the country.”

Click here to view the entire monthly report.

The Tuscaloosa Residential Monthly Report is developed in conjunction with the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors to better serve West Alabama consumers.