Home Prices Are Peaking In A Growing Number Of US Markets

Home prices have peaked in a growing number of overpriced housing markets as sellers and buyers pull back in the face of rising interest rates and affordability challenges. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University analyzed the 100 most overvalued housing markets by looking at their premiums, the percentage above the long-term pricing trend that buyers must pay on a property.  The larger the premium, the more overpriced the market. In July, they found that premiums fell in 27 markets. Of those, 22 also saw home prices fall. Most of these markets are west of the Mississippi River. This is a significant increase from June when premiums declined in 12 markets and prices fell in only seven. FAU’s…

Rates Fall Half A Point From Last Week As Recession Fears Rise

Mortgage rates tanked last week, dropping from an average 5.70% to 5.30%, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.30%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.90%. “Over the last two weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped by half a percent, as concerns about a potential recession continue to rise,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While the drop provides minor relief to buyers, the housing market will continue to normalize if home price growth materially slows due to the combination of low housing affordability and an expected economic slowdown.” Potential buyers are backing away from the market due to the soaring cost of purchasing…