Economists' Outlook

Housing stats and analysis from NAR's research experts.

September 2020 NAR Sentrilock Home Showings Report

The new September 2020 NAR Sentrilock Home Showings Report indicates a slight decrease in nationwide foot traffic, but showings remain at historically elevated levels as home showings for three of the four regions seeing increases in year-over-year activity, according to data from SentriLock, LLC, a lockbox company. September 2020 United States showings were up 20 percent over this time last year. September 2020 Sentrilock SentriKey® Showings were 1,053,875 while September 2019 showings were 876,485. Total U.S. cards for the month of September reached 209,860 which represents a new record.

Line graph: Historical Year Over Year Percent Change in U.S. Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2009 to January 2020
Line graph: Historical U.S. Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2008 to January 2020

The diffusion index is an indication of the diffusion of growth across MLS boards. An index above 50 means more boards reported a year-over-increase in showings than the number of boards that reported a decrease.  The index increased by 6.6 points to 47.3, with 46% of roughly 200 MLS boards reporting a year-over-year increase in showings with Sentrilock lockboxes.

Line graph: Historical U.S. Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings Diffusion Index, January 2009 to January 2020

Northeast Region, while still the only region decreasing in year-over-year showings saw increased showings from the prior month

The Northeast Region saw a decrease in year-over-year showings at 2%. Showings have been on a three-month slide, sliding from a year-to-date high of 42,111 in July towards 35,070 in September. This also represents the lowest number of showings among all regions for which follows historical figures with respect to other regions. Sentrilock Cards increased towards 13,666 in September. The Northeast Region came in last on a showings per card basis at 2.6.

Line graph: Northeast Region Year Over Year Percent Change in Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2009 to January 2020

The Midwest Region performance decreased from the prior month

Midwest Region showings increased 12 percent year-over-year in September which is a decrease from August's 15%. Showings decreased by 44,668 from the prior month to 330,546. The Midwest Region had the second most Sentrilock Cards among all regions in September at 67,058 as showings per card totaled 4.9, which is slightly less than U.S. showings per card of 5.0. Showings per card is up 6.48 percent from year-ago-levels of 4.6.

Line graph: Midwest Region Year Over Year Percent Change in Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2009 to January 2020

The South Region continued growth in cards

The Southern Region had the third most showings with 210,789, a decrease from the prior month, and was up 16% on a year-over-year basis. September’s 16% y/y showings represent the same percentage as the prior month. Sentrilock Cards continues to increase where September numbers were 50,406 with Sentrilock SentriKey® Showings Per Card decreasing from the prior month to 4.2.

Line graph: South Region Year Over Year Percent Change in Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2009 to January 2020

West Region continues to be the best performing region as it outpaces national levels

Western Region showings decreased from the prior month to 477,470 showings and the percentage change on a year-over-year basis equates to 31%. This figure outpaces the national level of 20% y/y showings. Western Region Sentrilock Cards continued its upward trend to a record-setting high of 78,730 as it remains the leader of all regions. Sentrilock SentriKey® Showings Per Card also outpaced the national level of 5.0 with 6.1 showings per card for the month.

Line graph: West Region Year Over Year Percent Change in Sentrilock Sentrikey® Showings, January 2009 to January 2020

View the full report.

Advertisement