by Calculated Risk on 6/06/2015 06:39:00 PM

This is a key distressed market to follow since Phoenix saw a large bubble / bust followed by strong investor buying.  These key markets hopefully show us changes in trends for sales and inventory.

For the sixth consecutive month, inventory was down year-over-year in Phoenix. This is a significant change from last year.

The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) reports (table below):

1) Overall sales in May were up 11.4% year-over-year.

2) Cash Sales (frequently investors) were down to 24.0% of total sales.

3) Active inventory is now down 15.4% year-over-year.  

More inventory (a theme in 2014) - and less investor buying - suggested price increases would slow sharply in 2014.  And prices increases did slow.

Now, with falling inventory, prices might increase a little faster in 2015 (something to watch if inventory continues to decline).

May Residential Sales and Inventory, Greater Phoenix Area, ARMLS
	Sales	YoY Change Sales	Cash Sales	Percent Cash	Inventory	YoY Change Inventory
May-08	5,6371	---	1,062	18.8%	54,1611	---
May-09	9,284	64.7%	3,592	38.7%	39,902	-26.3%
May-10	9,067	-2.3%	3,341	36.8%	41,326	3.6%
May-11	9,811	8.2%	4,523	46.1%	31,661	-23.4%
May-12	8,445	13.5%	3,907	46.3%	20,162	-36.3%
May-13	9,440	11.8%	3,669	38.9%	19,734	-2.1%
May-14	7,442	-21.2%	2,193	29.5%	29,091	47.4%
May-15	8,293	11.4%	1,988	24.0%	24,616	-15.4%
1 May 2008 does not include manufactured homes, ~100 more