Prices remain similar to last year, but ease in October

October's housing market conditions closely echoed previous month's trends with easing sales, rising inventories and downward price pressure. Like last month, the monthly activity was not enough to derail gains that occurred earlier in the year.

October sales and inventories totaled 1,467 and 6,463 units for a month of supply of 4.4. Several months of elevated supply in comparison to demand has weighed on pricing over the past several months. The city-wide unadjusted benchmark price in October totaled $438,900, 0.6 percent below last month, but comparable to last year.

"While economic activity has improved in 2017, it will take some time for this to translate into housing market growth. There have been employment gains, but most of this has occurred in areas with traditionally lower income," said CREB^® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

"We also continue to face weak migration, higher lending rates and changes...