Question
Does the NAR home price include distressed (foreclosure and REO) sales?
Answer
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) data is reported by real estate agents, and is not limited to "arms-length" transactions data. It will include foreclosure sales, if the foreclosed property was listed by a real estate agent; but not all foreclosure sales are so listed.
According to the NAR, in 2008-2009 about 45-50% of the sales they recorded were foreclosure sales.
("Distressed" sales include foreclosure proceedings and REOs, or "real estate owned" by banks after foreclosures. Some state associations of Realtors now break-out distressed sales.)
Related Releases
Existing-Home Sales
Existing Home Sales - Annual
New Residential Sales (C25)