O‘ahu Home and Condo Sales Slip in September

Year-to-date median prices show modest gains as third-quarter mortgage rates see gradual decline

According to figures released today by the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, O‘ahu’s housing market continued to see a slight softening in sales in September. Single-family home sales fell 6.5% year-over-year, dropping from 232 sales to 217, while condo sales experienced a modest 2.7% decrease, with 366 sales compared to 376.

However, single-family home sales remain 5.8% ahead of last year’s pace year-to-date, while condo sales are tracking 5.6% lower than the same period in 2023. The third quarter also showed a similar pattern, with single-family home sales increasing by 4.4% over Q3 2023, while condo sales decreased by 5.2%.

Using data collected from its computerized Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, the Board reported the following statistics:

Single-Family Home Resales

Number of Sales Median Sales Price
September 2024 217  -6.5% $1,112,722  +6.0%
September 2023 232 $1,050,000

Condominium Resales

Number of Sales Median Sales Price
September 2024 366  -2.7% $517,500  -2.8%
September 2023 376 $532,500

“While overall sales volume in both markets softened in September, we did see positive movement in new listings and active inventory, providing more options for prospective buyers,” said Fran Gendrano, President of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “Paired with the gradual decline in mortgage rates, buyers may feel encouraged to enter the housing market in the coming months.”

Both markets experienced moderate changes in median sales price. The median single-family home price rose 6% year-over-year to $1,112,722, while the median condo price fell 2.8% to $517,500.

The median days on market for single-family homes remained under one month, with properties spending a median of 19 days on the market, nearly the same as 20 days last year. Condos, however, took longer to sell, with a median of 31 days compared to 21 days in September 2023.

“In addition to the changes in interest rates, we are also working to understand the influence of rising condo insurance and maintenance costs on the market,” added Gendrano. “Whether you are a buyer or seller, REALTORS® can provide you with valuable data and insights to help you navigate the challenges and find opportunities.”

Single-family homes in the $899,999 and below range recorded the largest decline in sales, slumping by 36.6%, with just 52 sales compared to 82 a year ago. In contrast, the $300,000 to $499,999 price range accounted for more than one-third of all condo sales, ending the month with 135 transactions—a 16.4% uptick year-over-year. Fewer single-family homes closed above their original asking price, accounting for 29% of sales this month compared to 38% in September 2023. Similarly, a smaller share of condo units sold above the asking price, dropping to 15% compared to 20% one year ago.

Contract signings in the single-family home market grew 16.8% year-over-year and 15.3% month-over-month to 271 pending sales. Meanwhile, condo pending sales increased by 7.5% from last year but dipped 2.7% month-over-month.

Active inventory held steady month-over-month, shifting less than one percent. However, compared to the same time last year, inventory skyrocketed—up 27.5% for single-family homes with 755 active listings and 58% for condos with 1,887 active listings.

New listing volume in September added 351 single-family homes and 631 condos, up 24.9% and 22.3% year-over-year, respectively. West O‘ahu regions saw the largest increase in single-family listings, with Ewa Plain up 63.2% to 62 new listings and the Leeward region up 46.2% to 38 new listings. Condo listings increased across most regions, with Diamond Head rising 188.9% to 26 listings and Pearl City up 78.3% to 41 listings compared to last September.