The National Association of REALTORS® reported that quarterly home prices increased again this past quarter. Prices continued to rise, with 91% of the markets showing home price appreciation. Single-family home price growth is steady, median family incomes are rising modestly, inventory levels are low and affordability has been declining. Knowing the mortgage rates and the qualifying incomes for down payments will help potential homeowners figure out what metro areas are affordable for them. Here is a look at the metro areas with the strongest price growth in the second quarter 2019, as well as a look at the yearly change in median existing single-family home prices for the top five highest and lowest growth metro areas of the second quarter 2019.

These are the top five single-family metro areas with the highest home price appreciation:

Bar chart: Single Family Median Sales Price YOY Percent Change

These are the bottom five single-family metro areas that had a decline in home price appreciation:

Bar chart: Single Family Median Sales Price YOY Percent Change

These are the most expensive metro areas for the second quarter 2019:

Bar chart: Most Expensive Single-Family Markets

These are the least expensive metro areas for the second quarter 2019:

Bar chart: Least Expensive Single-Family Markets

Qualifying Income Based on Sales Price of Existing Single family Homes for Metropolitan Areas by Region:

Bar chart: Qualifying Income Based on Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes

For the US, at the 5% down-payment threshold, the qualifying income amount for the second quarter of 2019 was $62,192. At the 10% down-payment mark, the qualifying income was $58,918, and with a 20% down-payment, the income required to qualify for a mortgage was $52,372. The West led all regions with the highest qualifying income while the Midwest had the lowest income for 5%, 10% and 20% down payments on a single-family home.

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