The national median family income of $62,600 would easily qualify a buyer to purchase a median-priced home in the second quarter. However, to purchase a home at the national median price, a buyer making a 5 percent downpayment would only need an income of $43,100. With a 10 percent downpayment the required income would be $40,800, while with 20 percent down, the necessary income is $36,300.
In the condo sector, metro area condominium and cooperative prices – covering changes in 56 metro areas – showed the national median existing-condo price was $199,700 in the second quarter, up 12.2 percent from the second quarter of 2012. Fifty metros showed increases in their median condo price from a year ago and six areas had declines.
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast were unchanged in the second quarter but are 9.1 percent above the second quarter of 2012. The median existing single-family home price in the Northeast was $257,900 in the second quarter, up 6.9 percent to from a year ago.
In the Midwest, existing-home sales rose 2.3 percent in the second quarter and are 14.6 percent higher than a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Midwest increased 7.9 percent to $160,600 in the second quarter from the same quarter last year.
Existing-home sales in the South increased 3.2 percent in the second quarter and are 15.1 percent above the second quarter of 2012. The median existing single-family home price in the South was $180,700 in the second quarter, up 11.0 percent from a year earlier.
