January Case-Shiller Results & February Forecast: Ancient History
Today’s Case-Shiller release captures data through January, long before more-recent developments flipped the housing market, and the world, on its head.
Market Trends
February New Home Sales: High Water Mark
Early 2020 will come to be seen as a high-water mark in the U.S. housing market, with sales of new and existing homes riding a wave of positive momentum.
February Existing Home Sales: One Last Show of Strength
Existing home sales recorded their strongest release since February 2007 -- coincidentally, just before the last major economic drop-off.
Home Value Growth Accelerated in February, Ending a 21-Month Slowdown (February 2020 Market Report)
U.S. home values rose 3.9% annually in February, up from 3.8% in January. The typical home in the U.S. is now worth $247,084.
Mortgage Rates Jump, Driven by Market Volatility & Stress
Mortgage rates jumped sharply this week, driven by volatility and underlying stresses in the broader markets that weakened demand for government debt.
February Housing Starts: Calm Before the Storm
An upward revision to January data could indicate that builders were in a rush to get some projects off the ground before the coming coronavirus storm.
Information From Past Pandemics, And What We Can Learn: A Literature Review
In both the 1918 influenza and the 2003 SARS outbreaks, economic activity fell sharply during the epidemic but snapped back once it ended.
Mortgage Rates Move Up in Face of Robust Refi Demand
Somehow, some way, mortgage rates actually moved higher this week, touching their highest level in almost a month.
Homeowners Embrace “Missing Middle” Housing, Remain Wary of Large Apartment Development
Among homeowners, support for so-called “missing-middle” housing options – the creation of mother-in-law suites and or allowing for duplex/triplex development on current single-family lots – is widespread.
Coronavirus Fears Push Mortgage Rates to 7-Year Lows
Mortgage rates fell to new lows this week, as fears of further, unchecked spread of the coronavirus kept investors and the Fed in search of safety.
