Millennials, Gen Zers See Inflation Rates Decline As Rents Cool

Members of Gen Z and Millenials are seeing their personal inflation rates cool as rent prices moderate. These demographics have lower personal inflation rates than the overall population for the first time in two years, according to a new CPI analysis from Redfin. Gen Zers and Millennials who signed a new lease in December saw the cost of their goods and services rise 5.6% and 6.1%, respectively, compared to a 6.5% increase for the average American. Gen Zers overall now have a lower personal inflation rate than the U.S. population for the first time since the beginning of 2021. Inflation was heavily impacted by shelter costs, which make up around a third of the value of goods and services included…

Rates Down Again, Purchase Demand “Thawing”

The 30-year fixed rate slipped slightly again last week, prompting some pent-up buyers to lock in a purchase, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.13%, down from 6.15% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.55%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 5.28% to 5.17%. A year ago, it averaged 2.80%. “Mortgage rates continue to tick down and, as a result, home purchase demand is thawing from the months-long freeze that gripped the housing market,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Potential homebuyers remain sensitive to changes in mortgage rates, but ample demand remains, fueled by first-time homebuyers.” Pending home sales have been…

Seller Profits Broke 50% In 2022 Despite Market Downturn

Home seller return on investment rose to 51% at the end of 2022 despite slowing sales, new data from ATTOM shows. Sellers nationwide earned $112,000 on the typical sale in 2022, up 21% from 2021 and 78% from before the pandemic. Both raw profits and ROI have now improved across the country for 11 consecutive years. Ninety-eight percent of markets with enough data to analyze saw profits increase from 2021 to 2022. The latest number is the highest profit level seen by home sellers since at least 2008. Sellers in Southern and Western markets saw the highest ROI, led by Hilo, HI (100% ROI); Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ (88.4%); Spokane, WA (86.2%); Fort Myers, FL (85.4%) and Port St. Lucie,…

The Hangover: Staffing Cuts And Enhanced Efficiencies Are On The Docket For Lenders In 2023

By SCOTT KIMBLER Three leaders in the mortgage industry recently got together to discuss the challenges for lenders in 2023. A webinar was hosted by Augie Del Rio, founder and CEO of Gallus Insights. It included Rob Chrisman, capital markets consultant and founder of the Chrisman Commentary, as well as Tammy Richards, CEO of LendArch. All three lending veterans had various thoughts on what mortgage lenders need to do to not only survive in the current volatile mortgage market but also thrive in the down economy. “We are experiencing one of the most significant downturns in decades,” Del Rio said. “We are kind of all at the crossroads of the perfect storm. We are experiencing the fastest rising rate environment…

Buyer Interest Creeps Up, But Sales Remain At Record Lows

The pace of home sales has declined to its slowest pace since the beginning of the pandemic, but buyers are slowly starting to search for homes again. According to a new report from Redfin, the typical home sold during the four weeks ending January 8 was on the market for 44 days, the longest period since April 2020. The slowdown resulted in the largest YOY inventory increase in Redfin’s data history. Pending home sales fell by 32% YOY to their lowest recorded level, while mortgage purchase applications dipped to their lowest point since 2014. But early signs of demand like online home searches and tour requests are increasing. Redfin’s Homebuyer Demand Index rose by 6% as buyers watch interest rates…

Consumer Sentiment Sees A Boost As Rates, Prices Moderate

Homebuyers are feeling slightly more optimistic about the market as mortgage rates ease. Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) rose 3.7 points in December. Three of its six components improved from the month prior as more consumers said they expect rates and home prices to drop. After weeks of declines, rates inched up in the first week of 2023 but remain well below 7%. Economists at Freddie Mac expect them to fall further as inflationary pressures ease. But home purchase sentiment remains near its all-time low, set in October, and is down 13.2 points YOY. Only 21% of respondents believe it’s a good time to buy a home. And the possibility of additional rate hikes from the Federal Reserve…

Home Sales See Biggest YOY Drop On Record

Home sales plummeted by 35% in November but there are early signs that demand may be picking up. Redfin’s latest data found that home sales dropped 35.1% YOY in November on a seasonally-adjusted basis. High buying costs kept both buyers and sellers on the sidelines. “Rates have declined significantly over the past six weeks, which is helpful for potential homebuyers, but new data indicates homeowners are hesitant to list their homes,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, noted. “Many of those homeowners are carefully weighing their options as more than two-thirds of current homeowners have a fixed mortgage rate of below four percent.” Sellers have hesitated to put their homes on the market, knowing they’ll have to buy a new…

Monetary Policy: How Will The Fed’s Rate Hike Affect Home Affordability?

By KIMBERLEY HAAS With the Federal Reserve raising interest rates seven times this year – and with more rate hikes on the way in 2023 – people are wondering if their policies to cool inflation are unfairly punishing those in the housing market. The Fed’s policy-setting committee raised its benchmark rate a half-point to 4.5% this week. The goal is to reach 2% inflation by controlling monetary policy. The chair of the Federal Reserve opened his press conference on Wednesday saying that he would like to underscore for the American people that they understand the hardship that high inflation is causing. Jerome Powell said the U.S. economy has slowed significantly from last year’s rapid pace. “Recent indicators point to modest…

Hitting The Market During The Holidays? What Sellers And Buyers Need To Know

By KIMBERLEY HAAS The housing market traditionally cools during the holiday season as people focus on family and friends but industry leaders say it is a good time for potential sellers and buyers to weigh their options. After mortgage rates recently surged above 7%, real estate activity and consumer sentiment took a nosedive. Home delistings hit a record high in November as sellers and buyers pulled out of the market, according to journalists Lily Katz and Ben Walzer at Redfin. Markets where home prices skyrocketed during the pandemic are now cooling the fastest. In Sacramento, Calif., an average of 3.6% of active listings were delisted per week during the 12 weeks ending on November 27, up 1.6 percentage points from one year earlier.…

Loan Volume Stayed Steady Last Week, But Bad Times Lay Ahead

Mortgage loan application volume dipped just slightly last week, continuing a weeks-long trend of relative calm, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped by 0.1%. Mortgage rates jumped back up to 7.14% after cooling slightly. The adjusted purchase index rose 1%, while the unadjusted purchase index decreased by 1% and was 41% lower YOY.  “Mortgage rates edged higher last week following news that the Federal Reserve will continue raising short-term rates to combat high inflation. The 30-year fixed rate remained above 7% for the third consecutive week, and there were increases for most other loan types,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. …