Moving to Sarasota with kids? Explore Sarasota’s top-rated public, private, and charter schools—plus local education insights every family should know before buying a home.Because Great
Are Home Prices Going Up or Down? That Depends…
Dated: June 12 2023
Views: 78
Media coverage about what’s happening with Sarasota home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year (Y-O-Y) and month-over-month (M-O-M). Here's an explanation of each.
Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y):
- This comparison measures the change in home prices from the same month or quarter in the previous year. For example, if you're comparing Y-O-Y home prices for April 2023, you would compare them to the home prices for April 2022.
- Y-O-Y comparisons focus on changes over a one-year period, providing a more comprehensive view of long-term trends. They are usually useful for evaluating annual growth rates and determining if the market is generally appreciating or depreciating.
Month-over-Month (M-O-M):
- This comparison measures the change in home prices from one month to the next. For instance, if you're comparing M-O-M home prices for April 2023, you would compare them to the home prices for March 2023.
- Meanwhile, M-O-M comparisons analyze changes within a single month, giving a more immediate snapshot of short-term movements and price fluctuations. They are often used to track immediate shifts in demand and supply, seasonal trends, or the impact of specific events on the housing market.
The key difference between Y-O-Y and M-O-M comparisons lies in the time frame being assessed. Both approaches have their own merits and serve different purposes depending on the specific analysis required.
Why Is This Distinction So Important Right Now?
We’re about to enter a few months when home prices could possibly be lower than they were the same month last year. April, May, and June of 2022 were three of the best months for home prices in the history of the American housing market. Those same months this year might not measure up. That means the Y-O-Y comparison will probably show values are depreciating. The numbers for April seem to suggest that’s what we’ll see in the months ahead (see graph below):
That’ll generate troubling headlines that say home values are falling. That’ll be accurate on a Y-O-Y basis. And, those headlines will lead many consumers to believe that home values are currently cascading downward.
However, on a closer look at M-O-M home prices, we can see prices have actually been appreciating for the last several months. Those M-O-M numbers more accurately reflect what’s truly happening with home values: after several months of depreciation, it appears we’ve hit bottom and is bouncing back.
Here’s an example of M-O-M home price movements for the last 16 months from the CoreLogic Home Price Insights report (see graph below):
Why Does This Matter to You?
So, if you’re hearing negative headlines about home prices, remember they may not be painting the full picture. For the next few months, we’ll be comparing prices to last year’s record peak, and that may make the Y-O-Y comparison feel more negative. But, if we look at the more immediate, M-O-M trends, we can see home prices are actually on the way back up.
There’s an advantage to buying a home now. You’ll buy at a discount from last year’s price before prices start to pick up even more momentum. It’s called “buying at the bottom,” and that’s a good thing.
Bottom Line
If you have questions about what’s happening with home prices, or if you’re ready to buy before prices climb higher, let’s connect.
#SarasotaRealEstate #SarasotaHomesForSale #SarasotaCondosForSale #SiestaKeyForSale #LongboatKeyForSale #LakewoodRanchForSale #RobertPaulRealtor #SarasotaRealtor #SarasotaRealEstateAgent
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Robert Paul, PA. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Robert Paul, PA will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Robert Paul, PA
"I'm here to empower YOU to make confident and impactful decisions." Serving both buyers and sellers, I specialize in assisting those relocating to the Sarasota area or those seeking a second home in ....
Latest Blog Posts
Sarasota’s healthcare system ranks among Florida’s best. Discover top hospitals, local specialists, senior care options, and what makes Sarasota a healthy place to call home.Healthy
Thinking about moving to Sarasota? Here’s your insider guide to getting around—commute times, traffic tips, public transit, parking, and what locals know about navigating paradise
From property taxes to insurance and HOA fees, here’s what Sarasota homeowners actually pay—and how to plan smart before buying your Gulf Coast home.Welcome to Sarasota Homeownership
Copyright © MFRMLS.com All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated Last updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTC The listing information on this page last changed on Last updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTCd. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of MFR MLS.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 20, 2026 9:30 PM UTC
All information regarding a property for sale, rental or financing, school information and public tax records is from sources deemed reliable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that representations and warranties are not made about the accuracy thereof, and such information is subject to errors, omissions, updates, modifications, changes of price, rent rates, commissions, prior sales, leases or financing, changes in school boundaries, or withdrawal without notice. All information displayed on this Website should
© 2026 Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGCMLS) Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
