Housing markets show continued signs of strengthening according to reports released on Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors® reported that sales of pre-owned homes rose to 5.49 million in June as compared to May's revised reading of 5.32 million pre-owned homes sold and expected sales estimated at 5.42 million sales. Expectations were based on May's original reading of 5.35 million sales. June's reading was the highest since February of 2007. Readings for existing home sales are calculated on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. Buyers Gain Confidence in Labor Markets, Rush to … [Read more...]
Existing Home Sales Dip to Lowest Level since May
The National Association of Realtors® reported that sales of existing homes dropped to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.93 million as compared to expectations of a 5.18 million existing homes sold. Projections were based on October's reading of 5.25 million. November's reading showed a 6.10 percent dip in sales of existing homes and was the lowest reading since May.Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week that the less than robust housing recovery is due in part to tight lending standards. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors®, said that November's … [Read more...]
Good News! Existing Home Sales Up And FHFA Home Prices Rise
After months of reports of slowing home price momentum and forecasts of a lagging housing market, we are pleased to report an increased volume of existing home sales as reported by the National Association of REALTORS®. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, reported rising prices for homes connected with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. Here are the details. Pedal to the Metal: Existing Home Sales Achieve Fastest Rate in a Year September sales of previously owned homes reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.17 million sales … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 7, 2014
Last week's economic news was mixed, but economic reports for Non-Farm Payrolls and the National Unemployment rate suggest a strengthening labor sector. Pending Home Sales surpassed expectations in May and conversely, construction spending was lower than expected. Here are the details. Pending Home Sales Reach Highest Level in Eight Months The National Association of REALTORS® reported that pending home sales in May rose by 6.10 percent over April's reading. May's reading was 5.20 percent lower than for May 2013. The index reading for May reached 103.9 as compared to April's index reading … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 30, 2014
Last week brought several economic and housing sector reports including Existing Home Sales, Case-Shiller and FHFA home prices for April, as well as New Home Sales. Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rates survey and the weekly report on new jobless claims were released on Thursday, and Consumer Sentiment for June rounded out the week on Friday. Existing Home Sales Stronger than Expected! Good news came from the National Association of REALTORS® Existing Home Sales report for May, which reported 4.89 million previously owned homes sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Analysts had … [Read more...]