Signs of a Nascent Housing Market Recovery Emerge in November

By Odeta Kushi on December 18, 2024
Key Points: Despite an increase in mortgage rates, leading indicators of sales point to a modest pickup in sales activity in November. Inventory turnover has steadily increased to reach 0.95 percent as of October 2024 —that’s 95 in every 10,000 existing homes for sale. The recent increase in inventory helps to coax some potential buyers off the ... Read More

Housing Mortgage Rates Existing-Home Sales

Uncertain Mortgage Rate Outlook Clouds Affordability Heading into 2025

By Mark Fleming on November 27, 2024
Key Points: Affordability fell by 2.6 percent on a month-over-month basis, snapping a four-month streak of improving affordability. House-buying power declined by more than $14,000 due to the increase in mortgage rates since October. If the average mortgage rate decreases to the year-end consensus industry forecast of 6.2 percent and annual house ... Read More

Housing Real House Price Index Affordability Mortgage Rates

Thankful for Homeownership: A Look at Generational Trends

By Sam Williamson on November 26, 2024
Key Points: The homeownership rate for millennials has consistently lagged behind previous generations by as much as 7 percentage points – despite higher education levels and similar incomes. Despite these setbacks, millennials have narrowed the gap as they near middle age, catching up to Gen X at age 38, and closing the gap more quickly than Gen ... Read More

Housing Millennials Affordability Baby Boomers

Why are Mortgage Rates Increasing when the Federal Reserve is Cutting Rates?

By Odeta Kushi on November 20, 2024
Key Points: Upwardly revised economic data, strong employment numbers, and the election have lowered bond market expectations for future rate cuts relative to the Fed’s projections, pushing up mortgage rates. Holding income constant, house-buying power decreased by more than $10,000 in October due to the 25-basis point increase in mortgage rates. ... Read More

Housing Federal Reserve Mortgage Rates Existing-Home Sales

Housing Affordability Improves Nationally for Second Straight Month

By Mark Fleming on October 29, 2024
Key Points: National affordability improved on an annual basis for the second consecutive month yet remains low historically. In deciding whether to rent or own, it’s important to remember the wealth-building power of equity accumulation. Even homeowners who bought at the height of the housing boom in 2006 have gained $169,000 in equity, while ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

So, Where Does the Existing-Home Market Go from Here? The Good, The Bad, and the Likely

By Odeta Kushi on October 17, 2024
Key Points: Existing-home sales as a percentage of total households are historically low, at just 2.9 percent. By contrast, the pre-pandemic average was 4.4 percent. Only 94 of every 10,000 existing homes are for sale, lower than the pre-pandemic historical average of 220 of every 10,000 homes. Given the current number of households in the U.S. ... Read More

Housing Mortgage Rates Existing-Home Sales