Housing markets

Mortgage rates keep rising, influenced by DC developments

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage moved 5 basis points higher from last week, but still remains under 7%, at least according to Freddie Mac. “Mortgage rates inched up this week but continue to remain lower than one year ago,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, in a press release. “With more inventory for buyers […]

Mortgage rates keep rising, influenced by DC developments Read More »

Home prices are fading in the West as inventory rises

More markets are watching falling home prices as the inventory of properties for sale piles up.  Home prices grew 1.6% in May from the same time last year, down from April’s 2% annual growth rate according to Intercontinental Exchange. The company’s Home Price Index is the latest report showing continued growth in the nation’s house

Home prices are fading in the West as inventory rises Read More »

Existing-home sales decline, marking worst April since 2009

U.S. sales of previously owned homes unexpectedly dropped in April to the slowest pace in seven months, restrained by ongoing affordability constraints and highlighting a lackluster start to the key Spring selling season. Contract closings decreased 0.5% to an annualized rate of 4 million, according to National Association of Realtors data released Thursday. That fell

Existing-home sales decline, marking worst April since 2009 Read More »

Housing starts increase on pickup in multifamily construction

US housing starts increased in April as a pickup in multifamily home construction more than offset a decline in single-family dwellings caused by elevated inventory. New residential construction increased 1.6% to an annualized rate of 1.36 million homes, according to government data released Friday. That was in line with the median estimate in a Bloomberg

Housing starts increase on pickup in multifamily construction Read More »

Inflation news helps to push mortgage rates higher

While the 30-year fixed rate mortgage remained under 7% for the 17th consecutive week according to Freddie Mac’s calculations, it increased 5 basis points as the bond markets remain volatile over the U.S. economy. This and other measurements moved in the same direction with the yield on the 10-year Treasury, which rose 25 basis points

Inflation news helps to push mortgage rates higher Read More »

Even as prices moderate, many US homes remain overvalued

The average home in more than half of the nation’s metro areas was overvalued by more than 10% during the fourth quarter of 2024, the latest Sustainable Home Price Trends report from Fitch Ratings declared. Nationwide, prices were 11% above where they should be, a reduction from 11.1% in the third quarter. But 85% of

Even as prices moderate, many US homes remain overvalued Read More »

Most economists expect rate cuts after July

Economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer remain solidly behind the notion that the Federal Open Market Committee will reduce short-term rates in 2025. Its May Blue Chip Economic Indicators report even included the possibility that the Fed could actually raise interest rates in 2025 based on comments made by Chairman Jerome Powell which the authors noted

Most economists expect rate cuts after July Read More »