EMERYVILLE,CA-ZipRealty, Inc. has released a new Housing Trends Report, which points to a less-frenzied real estate market compared to last spring.

While the median sales price of $267,215 at the end of October was 14.2% higher on a year-over-year basis, the ZipRealty report indicates that across markets, prices are moderating, the inventory of homes has started to increase and sold-to-list price ratios are trending downward. However, Sacramento, Las Vegas, the San Francisco Bay Area and Phoenix were the strongest local markets at the end of October, as median sales prices in these metros have increased over the past 30 days, bucking the seasonal trend seen in the overall averages.

Leading Metros for Price Growth

Housing inventory was 382,873 at the end of October 2013, 10% fewer homes for sale than in October 2012. “Throughout 2013, tighter inventory has contributed to rising home sales prices as eager buyers have competed for a relatively scarce supply of homes. Inventory levels tightened during October 2013, starting the month at 386,500, based on the 10/15/13 Housing Trends Report, and ending the month at 382,873 homes. However, that 1% decline in inventory during October 2013 compares to a 5% decline during the same time frame last year. In other words, the trend in inventory levels points to more supply coming on − and staying on − the market,” explained Lanny Baker, ZipRealty's CEO and president.