The Redfin Housing Demand Index fell 6.5% month over month to 105 in March, according to Redfin (www.redfin.com). March marked the second consecutive month of declines this year.
The Demand Index is based on thousands of Redfin customers requesting home tours and writing offers. The Demand Index is adjusted for Redfin’s market share growth. A level of 100 represents the historical average for the three-year period from January 2013 to December 2015.
“Abnormally late winter weather and an early Easter likely delayed home owners planning to list their homes for sale in March,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “While inventory levels are still not nearly high enough to meet strong buyer demand, we do expect new listings to pick up in April and May.”
From February to March, the seasonally adjusted number of buyers requesting home tours increased 2.6%, while the number of buyers making offers fell 14.7%.
Looking at year-over-year comparisons, the Demand Index declined 3.8% from March 2017. The number of buyers requesting home tours increased 6.2%, while the number making offers fell 17.1%.
Across the 15 metros covered by the Demand Index, the number of homes for sale fell 13.6% year over year in March, the 34th consecutive month of falling supply. There were 7.3% fewer homes newly listed for sale last month than a year earlier.
However, an early read of inventory in the first half of April suggests that the number of homes for sale is increasing in line with seasonal expectations. And as recently as last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported an uptick in mortgage applications, signaling that more home buyers are finally ramping up as spring approaches.
To read the full report, including metro-level demand charts, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/blog/2018/04/redfin-housing-demand-index-fell-6-5-from-february-to-march-as-fewer-homes-hit-the-market.html.
