Monthly Archives: June 2024

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development released their monthly New Residential Sales report for May. The report, which tracks the number of new homes sold during the month, found sales down significantly from April. In fact, new home sales fell 11.3 percent month-over-month. The decline was likely due to mortgage rates, which spiked at the end of April and may’ve caused buyers to hesitate. But though the latest numbers were disappointing, the report came with a revision to April’s sales numbers, which now show sales up rather than down, as initially reported. Also in the report, the median sales price of new houses sold in May was $417,400. The average sales price was $520,000. There is currently a 9.3-month supply of available new homes for sale – a 16-year high. (source)

Coming up with a down payment can be an obstacle for some buyers, especially in the aftermath of pandemic-era price increases. Buying a home has gotten more expensive over the past few years and affording the upfront costs requires a plan. Fortunately, home buyers have options. For one, they don’t have to have a full 20 percent down payment in order to purchase a home. In fact, according to one recent survey, 48 percent of recent buyers put down less than 20 percent when buying their home. Additionally, home buyers don’t have to do it all on their own. The same survey found 43 percent of buyers said they used a gift from family or friends for at least part of their down payment. That’s not uncommon, especially among first-time home buyers. But the share of home buyers who used a gift as part of their down payment has been rising. It’s now the highest it’s been since 2018. (source)

Each month, Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group releases an outlook covering its expectations for the economy and housing market. In June, the group adjusted its forecast for total home sales this year, lowering expected annual gains to 1.3 percent from a previous projection of 2.8 percent. But while the group sees weaker than expected home sales ahead, it also says the economy is showing signs of slowing – which could help lower mortgage rates and improve overall affordability. “The economy appears to be slowing, and recent readings offer hope that inflation is cooling after progress on that front stalled in the first quarter – a trend that will likely need to be sustained for the Fed to feel comfortable cutting rates,” Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s senior vice president and chief economist, said. Additionally, the group notes that the number of homes for sale is rising and the trend should lead to decelerating home price growth. In short, affordability challenges remain but prospective home buyers may soon see relief as the market gains better balance. (source)

New numbers from the National Association of Realtors show the inventory of homes for sale was up another 6.7 percent in April, pushing available supply 18.5 percent higher than it was last year at the same time. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says that’s good news for buyers. “Eventually, more inventory will help boost home sales and tame home price gains in the upcoming months,” Yun said. “Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.” But while rising inventory is undoubtedly good for buyers, the market is still challenging. Median prices hit an all-time high in May while sales were largely unchanged from April. Overall, sales of previously owned homes fell 0.7 percent month-over-month and are now down 2.8 percent from year-before levels. (source)

The National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index is a monthly survey measuring builder confidence in the market for newly built homes. The survey asks builders for their perception of current sales conditions, expectations for the next six months, and home buyer traffic. Responses are scored on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good than poor. In June, the index fell two points to 43. Carl Harris, NAHB’s chairman, says interest rates are keeping conditions challenging. “Persistently high mortgage rates are keeping many prospective buyers on the sidelines,” Harris said. “Home builders are also dealing with higher rates for construction and development loans, chronic labor shortages, and a dearth of buildable lots.” But challenging conditions for builders may have benefits for buyers, as the survey also found an increasing number of builders cutting prices and offering incentives to entice home shoppers. In fact, twenty-nine percent of builders reported cutting prices, up from 25 percent the month before. The average reduction was 6 percent. (source)

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates fell last week from one week earlier. Rates declined across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. The improvement helped push demand for mortgage applications higher, rising 0.9 percent from the week before. Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice president and chief economist, says rates are now lower than they’ve been since the end of March. “Mortgage rates dropped last week following the latest inflation data and the FOMC meeting, with the 30-year conforming rate dropping to … its lowest level since the end of March,” Fratantoni said. “Purchase applications increased a small amount for the week, led by applications for conventional loans.” Despite increasing demand, purchase volume remains 10 percent lower than last year at the same time. The MBA’s weekly survey has been conducted since 1990 and covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. (source)

Demand for mortgage applications can be a good indicator of future home sales numbers. After all, most buyers require a mortgage to finance their home purchase. So it makes sense that increasing demand for loan applications would coincide with an eventual increase in closed sales. That’s why a new report from the Mortgage Bankers Association is an indication that new home sales are about to heat up. The report found application demand for new home purchases rose nearly 14 percent in May from year-before levels. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says fewer existing homes has driven buyers to consider buying new. “With existing-home inventory still lagging in many markets, many home buyers have turned their interest toward newly built homes, particularly FHA borrowers,” Kan said. Application demand for new home purchases also improved on a month-over-month bases in May, rising 1 percent from April. (source)

When inventory’s tight and the market’s competitive, you don’t see many price cuts on listed homes. Only in cases where a home has issues or was priced too high will you see its price slashed in hopes of attracting buyers. That’s a seller’s market – one where good homes receive multiple offers and commonly sell for above their asking price. These days, most markets still favor home sellers, even as the inventory of homes for sale has improved from recent lows. But while sellers still hold most of the negotiating power, according to one new analysis, more listed homes are seeing price cuts. In fact, the number of homes with a price cut in May was the highest it’s been in six years, with nearly a quarter of all homes for sale undergoing a price cut during the month. That’s a sign that the market is becoming better balanced, as the number of homes for sale grows and provides buyers with better options, less competition, and smaller price increases. (source)

All housing market’s ebb and flow at their own pace. Which means what’s happening in one market may be entirely different than what’s happening in another. In other words, it’s about location. That’s why ATTOM Data Solutions keeps track of which housing markets are vulnerable to a downturn and which are least at risk. According to ATTOM’s most recent Special Housing Risk Report, the map hasn’t changed much lately. The same areas – mostly around Chicago, New York, and inland California – were determined to be most exposed to vulnerability, based on affordability, underwater mortgages, foreclosures, and unemployment numbers. The strongest markets were once again in the South and Midwest, with Virginia, Wisconsin, and Tennessee accounting for 22 of the 50 healthiest markets in the country. Rob Barber, ATTOM’s CEO, says the report doesn’t mean a downturn is coming. “Once again, this is not to suggest that any one market is facing imminent decline,” Barber said. “It’s more a measure of vulnerability gaps.” (source)