Existing homes sales surged to their highest annual rate in 18 months, showing a promising beginning according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors.
The total number of existing home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, jumped 6.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in March from 4.89 million in February, this is the highest annual rate since September 2013 that it was also 5.19 million.
Total housing inventory at the end of March grew as well up to 5.3% to 2 million existing homes available for sale. Unsold inventory is at a 4.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down from 4.7 months in February.