Active listings were down only 12.2% in April, its smallest YOY decline since December 2019, according to Realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Trends Report. This suggests that inventory may be about to bounce back up after the crippling shortage of the last year. Though new listings declined, the number of homes under contract saw a YOY decrease as well, closing some of the distance between supply and demand. Pending listings were down 9.5% YOY. Improvements were seen in the share of mid-sized homes, adding to listings for families upgrading from starter homes and possibly easing the way for first-time homebuyers who have struggled to find affordable entry homes during the pandemic. “April data suggests a positive turn of events is on the…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS There are pockets of the country where more homes are being listed than there were before the housing market exploded in 2020 which is a good sign for buyers in those metro areas. According to an article by Margaret Heidenry for Realtor.com, metros that saw the most new homes hit the market include Riverside, CA (+23.3%), Austin, TX (+16.5%), and Sacramento, CA (+11.8%). Metros include the main city and surrounding suburbs, towns, and smaller urban communities, according to the article. Compass Agent Paul Reddam in Austin told Heidenry it is hard to nail down what is causing inventory to loosen, but this is typically the peak of their real estate cycle. The bad news is that the number of homes for sale…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The Acting Comptroller of the Currency says there is a need to update the frameworks used to analyze bank merger applications. In a speech before the Brookings Institution on Monday, Michael Hsu discussed proposed mergers in the context of bank competition, financial stability, and facilitating the needs of communities. “Bank mergers have received significant attention this past year. Concerns about the negative effects of bank mergers on competition, communities, and financial stability have prompted some to call for a moratorium on merger activity,” Hsu said. “In response, others have defended the benefits of mergers. They note that the U.S. financial services market is highly competitive, and mergers allow institutions to achieve needed economies of scale and to…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS Consumers across the country continue to report difficult homebuying conditions due to inflation, higher mortgage rates, and home price appreciation. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, says that in April their Home Purchase Sentiment Index fell to its lowest level since the spring of 2020. The percentage of respondents who said it is a good time to buy a home decreased from 24% to 19%, while the percentage who said it is a bad time to buy increased from 73% to 76%. As a result, the net share of those who say it is a good time to buy decreased 8 percentage points month over month, according to the survey. “The current lack…
Mortgage rates shot back up after a one-week reversal of their upward trend, averaging 5.29% last week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.29%, up from 5% last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.96%. “Mortgage rates resumed their climb this week as the 30-year fixed reached its highest point since 2009,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While housing affordability and inflationary pressures pose challenges for potential buyers, house price growth will continue but is expected to decelerate in the coming months.” Affordability dropped in Q1 2022, with monthly mortgage payments on the typical home rising to $1,383 (+30% YOY). Homeowners…
Selling a home in May, June, or July brings premiums of 10% or more above market value, according to a new analysis by ATTOM Data Solutions. ATTOM looked at home sales over the past eleven years to determine the best month to sell a home. It found that spring and summer are the most popular times for homebuying, giving sellers the best opportunity to make money on their homes. “April showers may bring May flowers, but May brings home sellers the best opportunities to watch their profits grow,” said Rick Sharga, Executive Vice President of Market Intelligence at ATTOM. “Homeowners looking to maximize the price premium they can claim on their homes should sell their properties in May, June, and…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS An app that helps homeowners maintain their property inside and out has been released by Consumer Reports and leaders there say this could potentially increase home values during the sale process. Upkept users add items to their digital Home Hub and the app creates a plan to keep everything in tip-top shape. The roof, windows, boiler, cooling system, and appliances are examples of what can be added. Changing water filters, deep-cleaning the interior, and cleaning the gutters can be added as reminders. “It automatically schedules and then gently reminds you about doing tasks throughout the year, and then it walks you through each one step-by-step when you’re actually ready to roll your sleeves up and get to…
Home prices rose by 20.9% YOY in March, setting another record and marking the 122nd consecutive month of YOY home price increases nationally, according to CoreLogic’s Home Price Index (HPI) and HPI Forecast. Home prices were up 3.3% from the month prior. The annual appreciation of detached properties (22%) was 4% higher than that of attached properties (17.3%). But the company predicts that home price growth will moderate to 5.9% by March 2023 due to rising interest rates and low affordability. Late April rates jumped about 30% YOY, a “trend that might derail more prospective buyers.” “The annual growth in the U.S. index was the largest we have measured in the 45-year history of the CoreLogic Home Price Index,” said…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage has come under fire after posting online that he is “disappointed” with Rocket Mortgage’s decision to offer buyouts to members of its workforce. Mat Ishbia posted on LinkedIn last week that this should not be necessary for a company that made over $5 billion in profits last year. “These 2,000+ people will struggle to find new jobs, and I think it’s disgusting that they’re thinking short term and are solely focused on cutting a few million per month in costs… this is the wrong thing to do to people,” Ishbia said. Ishbia went on to write that they have not had a single layoff in 35 years at UWM. The post…
Mortgage rates declined for the first time after a weeks-long upward streak, averaging 5% last week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5%, down from 5.11% last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.98%. “The combination of swift home price growth and the fastest mortgage rate increase in over forty years is finally affecting purchase demand,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Homebuyers navigating the current environment are coping in a variety of ways, including switching to adjustable-rate mortgages, moving away from expensive coastal cities, and looking to more affordable suburbs. We expect the decline in demand to soften home price growth…
