KAHULUI – The Realtors Association of Maui last week released December real estate statistics for Maui County.

The report is available online at www.ramaui.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RAM-Stats-Dec-2019.pdf.

The report’s summary notes that in 2019, home prices were up again in most markets.

Buyer demand continues to be strong, but with tepid seller activity still in many locations, total sales are lower than they would normally be in a more balanced market.

While up from their recent lows a few months ago, mortgage rates end the year close to three-quarters-of-a-percent lower than a year ago, helping to improve affordability and offset rising home prices.

New listings increased 0.8 percent for single-family homes but decreased 25.4 percent for condominium homes.

Pending sales increased 1.3 percent for single-family homes but remained flat for condominium homes.

Inventory decreased 13.6 percent for single-family homes and 14.8 percent for condominium homes.

The median sales price increased 4.6 percent to $740,000 for single-family homes and 4.7 percent to $514,120 for condominium homes.

Days on market increased 7.8 percent for single-family homes but decreased 9.7 percent for condominium homes.

Months supply of inventory decreased 18.6 percent for single-family homes and 9.5 percent for condominium homes.

With low mortgage rates, low unemployment and continued wage growth, home buyer activity is expected to remain healthy into the new year.

New construction has been on the rise in 2019 and is expected to continue into 2020, but many experts note that the country is still not building enough new units to quench demand.

It remains to be seen whether existing homeowners will be enticed to sell by higher home prices, which could finally bring the overall housing market into greater balance.