The number of residences listed for sale in the Des Moines area inched upward in July, surpassing 2,000 for the first time since December 2020, data from the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors shows.

Before the start of the pandemic, there typically were 3,000 to 4,250 residences listed for sale in the Greater Des Moines market, which includes Polk, Dallas, Warren, Jasper, Marion, Madison and Guthrie counties.

In July, 2,086 residences were for sale.

Overall, 1,703 homes were sold in July, down slightly from the 1,743 sold in June and 8.7% fewer than were sold in July 2020. The median sale price of a home sold in July was $250,000.

“The slight decline in pending home purchases and sold purchases may indicate buyers electing to be patient and wait for more homes to come on the market,” association president Ted Weaver said in a prepared statement.

Interest rates for home mortgages remain near historic lows. On Thursday, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.87% up slightly from a week ago but below last year’s average rate of 2.96%.

“Following [the Aug. 6] strong jobs report, which revealed broad based gains in employment and wage growth, mortgage rates are moving higher,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a prepared statement. “Despite the rise, rates remain very low, particularly given that economic growth is strong and will continue into next year.”

Specifically in July, association data shows:

• Pending sales totaled 1,524, down 11% from June when there were 1,721 sales pending.
• Homes sold in an average of 24 days. In June, homes were on the market an average of 24 days and in July 2020, they were on the market an average of 50 days.
• 1,291, or 76%, of the 1,703 properties were financed conventionally; 172 properties were paid for with cash.
• 508, or 30%, of the residences sold were priced at $199,999 or less. In July 2020, 33%, or 625, of the 1,866 residences sold were priced at $199,999 or less.
• Eight residences were sold for $1 million or more. In July 2020, eight homes were sold for $1 million or more.