The latest monthly data shows total existing-home sales rose 5.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million in December from a downwardly revised 4.39 million in November, and are 3.6 percent higher than the 4.45 millionunit level in December 2010.
Total housing inventory at the end of December dropped 9.2 percent to 2.38 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.2-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 7.2-month supply in November.
This graph shows existing home sales, on a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate
(SAAR) basis since 1993. Sales in December 2011 (4.61 million SAAR) were 5.0% higher than last month, and were 3.6% above the December 2010 rate.
