Sales of previously owned homes spiked in February, rising 6.5 percent over month-before numbers, according to new data released by the National Association of Realtors. The improvement made for the strongest month since 2007. “February's sales of over 5 million homes were the strongest since February 2007,” Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, said. “I would attribute that to the incredibly low mortgage rates and the steady release of a sizable pent-up housing demand that was built over recent years.” Home prices … [Read more...]

Newly released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show that the number of single-family homes that were started or completed in February rose from the month before. The number of building permits also increased. However, though the gains are welcome news for a housing market suffering from low for-sale inventory, new residential construction is likely to slow in the coming months due to the impact of the coronavirus. Economist Matthew Speakman says, while that … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were up last week across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate loans. The increase caused a 10 percent decline in refinance activity, though it remains 402 percent higher than last year at the same time. Demand for home purchase loans is now 10 percent higher than year before levels. … [Read more...]

Naturally, when world events cause economic uncertainty, markets react. However, the housing market has some things going for it that may help offset any upcoming volatility. For example, there have been a lower than normal number of homes for sale in many markets for a while now. Combined with a high level of home buyer demand, that lack of inventory meant more competition, increasing prices, and fewer choices for buyers. But it may also mean the market is well positioned to absorb any changes to the current … [Read more...]

Fannie Mae's quarterly Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey tracks the views and outlook of senior mortgage executives. And, according to their first quarter survey results, those executives feel good about the mortgage market. Why? Well, mostly because mortgage rates are at, or hovering just above, historic lows. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's senior vice president and chief economist, says lenders are expecting strong consumer demand for mortgage loans. “Lenders' expectations of consumer demand for purchase and refinance … [Read more...]

These days, you hear a lot about how there are too few homes for sale and it's driving prices upward. But though that's true in many markets, it doesn't mean hopeful home buyers should give up on buying. In fact, the most recent Housing Opportunity Index from the National Association of Home Builders shows there are still plenty of available homes for buyers earning the U.S. median income. According to the index, 63.2 percent of all new and existing homes sold between the beginning of October and the end of … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates fell last week across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate loans. The drop brought rates to their lowest level since 2012 and matched an all-time survey low. Joel Kan, MBA's associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting, said rates fell due to uncertainty about the … [Read more...]

There's usually a long checklist of items to go through before selling a house. After all, you want to maximize your profit and make sure your home is attractive to buyers. That's why, in addition to cleaning up clutter, planting some flowers, and touching up chipped paint, you may be considering a renovation project. But not all renovations have the same return on investment. That's why the Appraisal Institute suggests hiring an appraiser to estimate your property's value before and after a potential upgrade. … [Read more...]

Each month, Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index surveys Americans to measure interest in home buying and selling. The index looks at how people view the housing market, home prices, mortgage rates, their jobs, income, and expectations for the future. In February, the HPSI was relatively flat from the month before but remained near all-time highs. In fact, the survey found 59 percent of Americans believe now is a good time to buy a house and 67 percent say it's a good time to sell. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's … [Read more...]

The National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index tracks the number of contracts to buy homes that are signed each month. The index is a good indicator of where home sales are headed because contract signings precede closings by a number of weeks. In January, the PHSI rose 5.2 percent from the month before and is now up 5.7 percent over last year at the same time. Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, says conditions are favorable for home buyers right now and it may lead to an increase in buying … [Read more...]