Texas Quarterly Housing Report

Feb. 3, 2014 – AUSTIN – The Texas real estate market finished 2013 strong, with continued year-over-year increases in sales volume and prices for single-family homes, according to the Texas Association of Realtors’ Texas Quarterly Housing Report released today.
“The Texas real estate market showed strength in sales volume and price all year long and the fourth quarter was no exception,” said Dan Hatfield, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors. “We’ve now seen year-over-year increases in both sales volume and price every quarter for more than two years. This makes it clear – demand for Texas homes is strong and enduring.”

According to the Texas Quarterly Housing Report, 60,998 single-family homes were sold in Texas in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is 6.78 percent more than the same quarter of 2012. During the same time frame, the median price for Texas homes was $172,600, up 8.48 percent from 2012-Q4, and the average price was up 8.88 percent to $226,216.

Jim Gaines, Ph.D., economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, explained, “One thing that is notable about the price increases seen in the fourth quarter is that they are relatively consistent across the state. Those increases are being seen in markets of every size, not just in the largest Texas markets, so that indicates broad-based appreciation for Texas real estate.”

This high demand continued to contribute to a shrinking inventory of homes in Texas. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the statewide inventory of homes decreased by one full month to 3.6 months. That figure is well below the 6.5 months that the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites as a market balanced between supply and demand.

Gaines continued, “Demand for Texas homes in 2014 should continue, but it’s possible that a shortage of inventory could inhibit sales volumes. The steady price increases we’ve seen recently should help alleviate that, enticing more sellers into the market, but buyers should continue to expect to compete for desirable properties.”

Chairman Hatfield concluded, “These results show that Texas continues to grow, which makes it even more important that we commit to providing the infrastructure our state needs to sustain that growth and maintain our quality of life. Texas Realtors will be actively supporting lawmakers in the upcoming election cycle to do exactly that.”

The Texas Quarterly Housing Report is issued four times per year by the Texas Association of Realtors with multiple listing service data compiled and analyzed by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. To view the report for 2013-Q4 in its entirety, visit www.TexasRealEstate.com.

About the Texas Quarterly Housing Report

Data for the Texas Quarterly Housing Report is analyzed by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University using statistics compiled from 48 multiple listing services in markets throughout Texas. The report includes data for single-family home sales over the course of one quarter and is scheduled for release by the Texas Association of Realtors on the following dates each year (or the next business day): Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.

About the Texas Association of REALTORS®

With approximately 90,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.