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Need help understanding median sale price vs average list price?

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Douglas Elliman - Manhasset, NY

I have received an email asking to differentiate the meaning of median sales price vs average list price.

An average number is very influenced by the numbers on the extremes. The median number is less influenced.
For example, there are 7 people who's ages are 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 75. If we want single number that represented this group's age ...the average would be 20.5. This is a awful representation of the people's ages . On the other hand, the median of this group would be 12. ...which is a more accurate representation of the entire group's age.

Real estate uses the same principle. A median figure describes the market statistics better (IMO) because it isn't influenced by extreme properties. Either extemely cheap or super expensive

Posted by

Chris K Pappas | 516.659.6508 | 154 Plandome Road Manhasset New York 11030

Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Just simple enough to explain it like it is. Thanks, Chris.

Sep 25, 2011 03:31 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Chris, I agree with you that median sales prices are much more indicative of the overall prices in an area. Average prices create skewed figures.

Sep 25, 2011 03:40 PM
Chris Pappas
Prudential Douglas Elliman - Manhasset, NY - Manhasset, NY

Keeping it simple and straight forward is the name of the game.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Sep 26, 2011 07:33 AM