Tucson Housing Market Report - December 2022

2022 was a turbulent year for the US housing market, as inflation, soaring interest rates, and elevated sales prices combined to cause a slowdown nationwide. Affordability challenges continue to limit market activity, with pending home sales and existing-home sales down month-over-month and falling 37.8% and 35.4% year-over-year, respectively, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Higher mortgage rates are also impacting prospective sellers, many of whom have locked in historically low rates and have chosen to wait until market conditions improve before
selling their home.

New Listings decreased 34.3 percent for Single Family and 31.0 percent for Townhouse/Condo. Pending Sales decreased 32.4 percent for Single Family and 25.7 percent for Townhouse/Condo. Inventory increased 53.9 percent for Single Family and 74.2 percent for Townhouse/Condo.

Median Sales Price increased 7.1 percent to $374,900 for Single Family and 18.4 percent to $249,750 for Townhouse/Condo. Days on Market increased 87.5 percent for Single Family and 69.6 percent for Townhouse/Condo.
Months Supply of Inventory increased 91.7 percent for Single Family and 100.0 percent for Townhouse/Condo.

Economists predict sales will continue to slow and housing prices will soften in many markets over the next 12 months, with larger price declines projected in more expensive areas. However, national inventory shortages will likely keep prices from dropping too much, as buyer demand continues to outpace supply, which remains limited at 3.3 months, according to NAR.
Even if prices fall, many prospective buyers will find it difficult to afford a home in 2023, as higher rates have diminished purchasing power, adding hundreds of dollars to monthly mortgage payments.