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

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

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 ... Read More

Housing Affordability Homeownership

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 ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

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 ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability