Kim Abbott

Riding Real Estate Agent

  • About Me
  • Resources
    • Buyer Info
    • Seller Info
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
  • Find a Home
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows to 20-Month Low

October 31, 2018 by Kim Abbott

Case-Shiller Home Price Growth Slows to 20-Month LowHome price growth slowed to its lowest rate in 20 months according to the 20-City Home Price Index issued by Case-Shiller. After years of dismal readings, Las Vegas, Nevada led the cities included in the index.

Top three cities for August included Las Vegas, Nevada where year-over-year home prices grew by 13.90 percent. San Francisco, California saw home prices increase by 10.60 percent year-over-year and Seattle, Washington home prices rose by 9.60 percent year-over-year. August’s 20-City Home Price Index overall reading fell below six percent for the first time in a year.

Cooling Home Price Growth Helps Balance Housing Markets

Cooling home prices have been forecast for months, but August’s reading indicated that home prices have peaked and that current home price growth rates may ease pressure on overheated real estate markets, where high home prices, limited inventories of homes for sale and rising mortgage rates have limited buying opportunities. Home price growth remained above current rates of wage growth and inflation, but slower appreciation of home values will help balance the housing market from an extreme sellers’ market to more moderate market conditions.

Rising Mortgage Rates Not Sole Cause of Easing Home Prices

Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan recently said that rising mortgage rates were not the only cause of slowing growth of home prices. Mr. Kaplan said that multiple factors including rising building costs, labor shortages and rising mortgage rates combined to ease record demand for home; Mr. Kaplan said that the Fed is closely monitoring the economy and housing markets and mentioned that he had previously forecast slower housing markets as 2019 approaches.

Recent stock market sell-offs boosted the 10-year Treasury note price, but this momentum appears to be settling. Fixed mortgage rates are connected to yields on 10-year Treasury notes. Yields rise as note prices decline. Mortgage rates rise as the 10-year Treasury yield rises. While nothing is set in stone, this situation indicates that mortgage rates could continue to rise.

Rising mortgage rates and strict mortgage lending requirements have barred home buyers concerned with affordability and less than perfect credit profiles. As prospective home buyers abandon their home searches, demand for homes should ease and may further reduce gains in home prices.

If you are interested in buying a new property or selling your current property, contact your trusted real estate agent to discuss market specifics in your area.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Home Sales, Market Trends, Real Estate

Kim Abbott

Contact Kim

CALL (602) 540-3719
Located in Phoenix, AZ

HomeSmart

Connect with Me

Let’s Keep In Touch!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Browse Articles by Category

Recent Articles

  • VA vs FHA vs USDA What’s the Difference?
  • Looking at Home Mortgage Refinancing in 2021
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 19, 2021
  • NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Ticks Up in April
Equal housing & Realtor

Looking For Something?

Our Location

3333 E Camelback Rd
Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85018

Copyright © 2021 · Powered by MySMARTblog