We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies.More info
The Damon Home TeamThe Damon Home Team
  • Meet Our Team ⏩
  • What Sets Us Apart 👥
  • Client Success Stories 💕
Let's Connect!

About

  • Meet the Team
  • Client Success Stories
  • Read Our Blog
  • What Sets Us Apart
  • Join Our Team

Services

  • Search For Homes
  • The Buyer Experience
  • Mortgage Calculator
  • Get Your Home's Value
  • The Seller Experience
  • Sold Gallery
  • All of our Sold Homes

The Damon Home Team

4 Bell Hill Road, Bedford, NH 03110

  • 888-398-7062 *125
  • [email protected]

Nationally, Home Sales are Up and Prices are Down: What Now?

Home sales are up. In February, total home sales in the U.S. rose 14.5% from the month prior. That jump ended a 12-month...

  • Suzanne Damon
  • April 3rd, 2023
  • 4 min read
Featured Image

Home sales are up.

In February, total home sales in the U.S. rose 14.5% from the month prior. That jump ended a 12-month streak of declines in national home sales, and it’s the largest percent increase since July 2020. The sale of new construction homes has also increased, with numbers up for the third straight month in February. 

Inventory, or the number of homes available on the market, is still low in most areas, and mortgage rates are still high—so why are home sales spiking now? While 14.5% feels like a large increase and does indicate a change in the market, it’s important to note that sales are still down year-over-year. Low affordability and low inventory drove sales down dramatically last year, so the increase we’re seeing now is more of a correction than a true spike.

Home prices are coming down.

The National Association of Realtors also just reported that home prices have dropped 0.2% year-over-year.

Less than one percent? Why does that matter? That number may not seem like a lot, but it’s significant because it’s a departure from a consistent stream of price increases. This is the first time in almost 11 years that home prices have shown an annual decrease.

Does that mean the market is going to crash? Not quite.

Driven by the ultra-low inventory and extreme demand of pandemic-era homebuying, home prices recently reached all-time highs. The current decrease is simply a correction from those sky-high prices, a relaxation of extremely tight market conditions—and a result of high mortgage rates.

But what’s to prevent prices from continuing to drop—and even heading into crash territory? Inventory across the country remains low. There’s only a 2.6-month supply of homes in the U.S. at the current rate of sale, compared to the balanced-market benchmark of a 6-month supply. Additionally, mortgage rates are starting to come down, which will increase buyer competition. Generally, those two factors drive enough demand to prevent a severe drop in home prices.

What does that mean for you? It depends on where you live, and whether you’re looking to buy or sell. In some regions, prices are dropping even faster while in others, prices are holding steady (or even continuing to climb).

Should you jump into the real estate market now?

The answer to that question is complex and depends largely on your personal situation. 

Overall, buyers should take advantage of slipping mortgage rates and dropping prices. If your finances are in order and you’re ready to buy your dream home, low inventory shouldn’t stand in your way—and if you have the right real estate agent, it won’t. Just remember, if you want to buy now, you’ll need to come in with a strong offer and be ready to negotiate.

Selling a home? Let’s do it. As mortgage rates come down, buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines will jump in, and it will be easier for your real estate agent to find the perfect match for your property. Just remember, while most regions of the country still favor sellers and most sellers have seen their home values skyrocket, your expectation for your sale price should look a little different this year than it might have in 2021 or 2022. What’s the perfect price to attract buyers? Let’s talk about it.

We’ve got this.

Navigating the real estate market amid shifting conditions and recession fears can be tricky, but we’ve got your back. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or you just want to know what your home is worth these days, get in touch. We can’t wait to make your goals a reality.

Let's Go

Author Photo
About the author

Suzanne Damon

603-493-5561
  • facebook
  • X
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • youtube
A long-time resident of the Manchester, NH area, Suzanne Damon has been a powerhouse in real estate for the past 29 years. Ranked among the top-producing agents in both New Hampshire and the United States, she leads The Damon Home Team with expertise, integrity, and a deep commitment to her clients. Suzanne’s entrepreneurial spirit started early—at just seven years old, she was pulling a wagon through the city, selling flowers from her garden. That same determination carried her through college debt-free and has fueled her success in the ever-evolving real estate market. She understands the rollercoaster of life and knows firsthand the challenges that come with buying or selling a home. Beyond real estate, Suzanne is the President of 1628 Group, a real estate development company focused on community growth. She is also deeply involved in giving back—serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in need and proudly supporting Liberty House, a local organization dedicated to helping homeless veterans rebuild their lives. Hardworking, caring, and genuinely fun to work with, Suzanne and her team bring a no-pressure, results-driven approach to every transaction—because achieving your real estate goals should be exciting, not stressful. Reach out: www.TheDamonHomeTeam.com, 603-493-5561 call or text.

Similar posts like this

House Hunting Fatigue? Here’s How to Stay Focused

Read more

Why Your First Week on the Market Is the Most Important

Read more

Dream Backyards of 2025: What Luxury Homebuyers Really Want

Read more
The Damon Home Team

The Damon Home Team

4 Bell Hill Road, Bedford, NH 03110

The Damon Home Team

4 Bell Hill Road, Bedford, NH 03110

888-398-7062 *125
[email protected]
  • Search for Homes
  • Meet the Team
  • Client Success Stories
  • Get Your Home's Value
  • Read Our Blog
  • Schedule a Call
  • Mortgage Calculator
  • All of our Sold Homes
  • New Hampshire
Join Our Email List:

*We respect your inbox. We only send interesting and relevant emails.

The Damon Home Team © 2025

Privacy Policy
Powered by