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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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2024 House Price Blitz – Analyzing NFL Divisions by Median House Prices
By
Mark Fleming on October 7, 2024
Key Points: The NFC West has the highest median sales prices because it’s home to three of the most expensive markets in the country: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The AFC north has the lowest median sale prices because it includes two of the least expensive markets in the country – Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Markets comprising the NFC ...
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National Housing Affordability Improves Annually for First Time in Post-Pandemic Era
By
Mark Fleming on September 30, 2024
Key Points: National affordability improved on an annual basis for the first time since 2021. If mortgage rates ease further to 6 percent by the end of the year, income growth trends towards historical average, and nominal house price growth slows but remains positive, affordability will improve by over 7 percent by the end of the year. Industry ...
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Affordability Improves for Second Straight Month, but Home Buyers Shrug
By
Mark Fleming on August 26, 2024
Key Points: In July, affordability improved annually in 12 markets for the first time since 2021. Despite the improvement in affordability, the only 17 percent of consumers indicated that it’s a good time to buy a home, down from 19 percent in June, according to the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). Affordability nationally remains ...
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