2 of Every 25 U.S. Homes Worth at Least $1M

While $1M signified luxury property a short while ago, it’s now 8% of the nation’s housing stock – but a large percentage of those homes are still in Pacific Coast states..

The share of homes worth seven figures is on an upswing after dipping to a 12-month low (7.3%) in February because prices are rising on a year-over-year basis after a decline early in the year.

Overall, the median U.S. home-sale price rose 3% in July, the biggest increase since last November, according to Redfin, with luxury home prices rising even faster – up 4.6% year over year to $1.2 million in the second quarter.

Elevated mortgage rates discourage potential home sellers, who are staying put to keep their relatively low mortgage rates. As a result, inventory dropped so low that buyers still in the market are competing for those few homes that are for sale. That’s driving up home prices and pushing many of those listings above the million-dollar mark.

“The supply shortage is making many listings feel hot,” said Redfin Economics Research Lead Chen Zhao. “In most of the country, expensive properties that are in good condition and priced fairly are attracting buyers and in some cases bidding wars, mostly because for-sale signs are few and far between right now.”

The share of homes worth seven figures has doubled since before the pandemic. In June 2019, just over 4% of homes were valued at $1 million or more.

East Coast metros gain most $1 million-plus homes
Over one-quarter (25.8%) of homes in the Bridgeport, CT metro – which has many popular New York City suburbs – are worth at least $1 million, up from 23.1% a year ago, the biggest increase of the metros analyzed. It’s followed by Boston, where the share increased from 20.3% to 21.5%, and Newark, N.J. (8.7% to 9.7%). (more…)