WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. sales of previously occupied homes dipped in December from November, in part because of a limited supply of available homes. But for all of 2012, sales rose to their highest level in five years.
The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday that sales dipped in December to an annual rate of 4.94 million. That's down from a rate of 4.99 million in November, which was revised lower but was still the highest in three years.
Even with the decline, last year ended as the best for home sales since 2007. Total sales reached 4.65 million, up 9.2 percent from 2011. Sales are still below the roughly 5.5 million that are consistent with a healthy market.
Steady hiring, record-low mortgage rates and a tight supply of homes available for sale have helped boost sales and prices in most markets.
"We remain convinced that the housing recovery is well under way and should continue through 2013," said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG, an institutional brokerage.
The market is being held back by the shrinking supply of homes for sale. The inventory of available homes on the market dropped to 1.82 million in December, the lowest in 12 years.
And first-time buyers, who are critical to a housing recovery, made up only 30 percent of sales in December. That's down slightly from a year ago and well below the 40 percent that is typical in a healthy market.
Since the housing bubble went bust six years ago, banks have adopted tighter credit standards and are requiring larger down payments. That's left many would-be buyers unable to qualify for the lowest mortgage rates on record.
The rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 3.66 percent in 2012, the lowest annual average in 65 years, according to Freddie Mac.