US Enters Recession As GDP Falls For Second Quarter

Gross domestic product declined for a second quarter, down 0.2% on the heels of Q1’s 0.4% dip, the Commerce Department said. By a common definition, this means that the U.S. has entered into a recession. The National Bureau of Economics, a non-profit that determines when the U.S. is officially in recession, defines it as a “significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” Many economists say they don’t believe the economy has fully entered recession, pointing out that falling GDP is only one measure of many. Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the data should be taken with “a grain of salt.” But formal definitions notwithstanding, a majority of Americans…

Inventory Rose In May For The First Time Since June 2019

Inventory increased for the first time since June 2019, with active listings up 8% YOY, according to Realtor.com’s May housing data. An inventory increase is a good sign for the market, which is facing pressure as rising rates and soaring home prices are causing potential buyers to back off. The national median listing price in May was $447,000, up 17.6% YOY and 35.4% from May 2020. Purchase loan applications are down 14% YOY, reaching their lowest level since December 2018. However, active listings were still down 48.5% from May 2020, meaning inventory is still half of what it once was. And while active listings grew, the total inventory of unsold homes, including pending listings, fell by 3.9% thanks to a…