Low housing inventory, a major contributor to a runup in home prices in recent years, has risen for three consecutive months – but it is climbing at a slow rate, more akin to bumping along the bottom than growing in any meaningful way.
Low housing inventory, a major contributor to a runup in home prices in recent years, has risen for three consecutive months – but it is climbing at a slow rate, more akin to bumping along the bottom than growing in any meaningful way.
Mortgage Rates Fed Up With Flatness, Fall for the Week
After staying flat for much of the past week, mortgage rates dropped sharply in recent days to their lowest levels since August.
December Fed Rate Hike: Recalibrating Expectations
The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, to a target range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent.
November Existing Home Sales: Signs of Life
November existing home sales rose 1.9 percent from October to 5.32 million sales, according to the National Association of Realtors.
November Housing Starts: Canary in the Coal Mine?
November housing starts rose 3.2 percent from October but were down 3.6 percent from a year ago, according to the Census Bureau.
Forecast for Existing and New Home Sales (November 2018)
While existing home sales have suffered from supply side constraints for the past three years, new home sales are facing more recent headwinds.
Mortgage Rates Level Off After Two Week Decline
Mortgage rates held flat this week, kept in check by offsetting forces from abroad, breaking a two-week-long slide that saw rates hit their lowest levels since September.
Lumber Prices Plummet to Lowest Levels Since January 2017
Lumber prices retreated sharply from mid-year highs and dipped to lowest levels since January 2017, the eve of the U.S.-Canada trade war that sparked the lumber price surge.
Fluctuating Trade Tension Causes Mortgage Rates to Snap
Mortgage rates declined this week, falling to their lowest level in two months. The retreat was aided by stock market volatility and declining optimism about the global trade outlook, particularly renewed doubts emerging about the U.S.-China trade relationship.
Rejected Amazon HQ2 Finalists to Be Among Nation’s Fastest-Growing Markets in 2019
Home value growth in several markets ultimately rejected for Amazon’s coveted second headquarters is expected to outpace the national average next year.
