Sales in the nation’s fastest markets are slowing down as inventories rebound. In June fewer homes went under contract within one or two weeks of being listed, continuing a slowing pattern that began in April.

In June, 30.5 percent of homes went under contract within two weeks of being listed, down from 31.9 percent in May. The 1.4 percentage point drop was the largest seen in the US housing market since December 2012. Nineteen percent of homes went under contract within one week in June, down from 19.9 percent in May

The June slowdown follows three months of gains in the number of homes for sale and the subsequent easing of competition among homebuyers. Additionally, the interest rate hikes that began in May led some active homebuyers to take a step back from the market and reassess what they could afford while others were deterred from entering the market. As a result, homebuyers who were committed to continuing their home searches felt a reduced sense of urgency to submit an offer within hours of a home being listed for sale.

“Even though Bay Area listings are now receiving a fraction of the number of offers they did just a couple of months ago–five to eight instead of 30 to 40–homebuyers are still acting quickly when they see a home they like,” said Redfin San Francisco area manager Charmaine Frank. “Offer deadlines are becoming less common, but buyers are still anxious to get their offers in early to find out if they have a chance, or move on.”

Silicon Valley (San Jose), CA was the fastest-moving market, with 52 percent of new listings under contract within two weeks, a slowdown from 58 percent in May.

Las Vegas and Philadelphia were the slowest-moving markets in June, with 11 percent and 9 percent of homes under contract within 14 days of their debut.

Home Sales Cool Down as Summer Heats Up | RealEstateEconomyWatch.com.