by Calculated Risk on 1/27/2020 10:14:00 AM

The Census Bureau reports New Home Sales in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 694 thousand.

The previous three months were revised down, combined.

"Sales of new single‐family houses in December 2019 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 694,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 0.4 percent  below the revised November rate of 697,000, but is 23.0 percent above the December 2018 estimate of 564,000.

An estimated 681,000 new homes were sold in 2019. This is 10.3 percent above the 2018 figure of 617,000. "
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

The first graph shows New Home Sales vs. recessions since 1963. The dashed line is the current sales rate.

Even with the increase in sales over the last several years, new home sales are still somewhat low historically.

The second graph shows New Home Months of Supply.

The months of supply increased in December to 5.7 months from 5.5 months in November.

The all time record was 12.1 months of supply in January 2009.

This is in the normal range (less than 6 months supply is normal).

"The seasonally‐adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of December was 327,000. This represents a supply of 5.7 months at the current sales rate."

On inventory, according to the Census Bureau:

"A house is considered for sale when a permit to build has been issued in permit-issuing places or work has begun on the footings or foundation in nonpermit areas and a sales contract has not been signed nor a deposit accepted."

Starting in 1973 the Census Bureau broke this down into three categories: Not Started, Under Construction, and Completed.

The third graph shows the three categories of inventory starting in 1973.

The inventory of completed homes for sale is still somewhat low, and the combined total of completed and under construction is close to normal.

The last graph shows sales NSA (monthly sales, not seasonally adjusted annual rate).

In December 2019 (red column), 47 thousand new homes were sold (NSA). Last year, 38 thousand homes were sold in December.

The all time high for December was 87 thousand in 2005, and the all time low for December was 23 thousand in both 1966 and 2010.

This was below expectations of 730 thousand sales SAAR, and sales in the three previous months were revised down, combined.  However this was still solid with sales up 23% year-over-year.  I'll have more later today.