by Calculated Risk on 12/15/2014 04:06:00 PM

From housing economist Tom Lawler

Based on local realtor/MLS reports from across the country, I estimate that US existing home sales as measured by the National Association of Realtors ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 4.93 million in November, down 6.3% from October’s preliminary pace but up 2.1% from last November’s pace. On the inventory front, the vast majority of local reports showed a larger monthly decline in listings this November compared to last November, and I estimate that the inventory of existing homes for sale as measured by the NAR for the end of November will be 2.12 million, down 4.5% from October and up 3.4% from a year ago.

Finally, a median existing SF home sales price for November that was up about 4.7% from last November would be consistent with local realtor/MLS reports. On this latter point, I should note that the YOY increases shown in the NAR’s median sales prices for the last several months have been higher than local realtor/MLS reports would have suggested.

CR Note: Existing home sales will be released next week on Monday, December 22nd.