Painting by local Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter

Nationwide, properties sold an average of 29 days in April. Housing inventory concerns continue, pushing the median U.S. sales price U.S. sale price up to $244,800, the 62nd straight month of annual gains. California accounts for eight of the nation’s 10 most expensive counties by price.

Serious home shoppers who are hitting the open-house circuit hard during the traditionally busy spring season should not hesitate long, as properties are flying off the market quicker than ever before.  That’s according to the National Association of Realtors’ latest existing home sales report, which says that the average U.S. property — including single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and co-operatives — sold in 29 days in April. That’s down from 39 days one year ago, marking the quickest pace of sales since NAR began tracking that data six years ago.