NAHB: Home Builder Confidence in Housing Markets Slips in December

December’s National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index reported slipping builder confidence in U.S. housing markets. The Housing Market Index readings fell every month in 2022. Recently rising mortgage rates, materials costs, and inclement winter weather contributed to builder skepticism about current housing market conditions. December’s National  Housing Market Index reading of 31 was the lowest since mid-2012 not including readings published during the pandemic. By comparison, the Housing Market Index reading for December 2021 was 84. The three indices comprising the Housing Market Index reported mixed readings in December. Current home sales decreased by three points and home…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 12, 2022

Last week’s scheduled economic reports included preliminary monthly readings on inflation and consumer sentiment along with weekly reporting on mortgage rates and jobless claims. University of Michigan Reports Slower Inflationary Growth The University of Michigan predicted lower inflationary growth as December’s year-over-year reading for inflation fell to 4.6 percent from November’s year-over-year reading of 4.9 percent. This was the lowest inflation reading since September 2021. Analysts credited lower gasoline prices for slowing rapid inflation rates seen in recent months. Falling gas prices also contributed to higher consumer sentiment levels reported in December’s edition of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 5, 2022

Last week’s economic news included readings on home prices, inflation, and data on public and private-sector jobs. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Posts Lower Home Prices in September September home prices fell in all cities tracked by Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index. Home prices were - 8.7 percent lower year-over-year in September than August’s reading of -10.40 percent. Home price declines showed signs of increasing after a period of rapidly rising home prices sidelined would-be home buyers. The Federal Housing Finance Agency Home Price Index rose by 0.90 percent in September as…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 28, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on new home sales and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. No economic data was published Thursday or Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. New Home Sales Surpass Expectations in October The Commerce Department reported higher-than-expected sales of new homes during October. New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 632,000 homes sold.  Analysts expected new homes to sell at an annual pace of 570,000 sales as compared to the revised annual pace of 588,000 new home sales in September. The supply of available new homes…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 21, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on U.S housing markets, housing starts, and building permits issued. Data on sales of previously-owned homes were released along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Builder Sentiment on Housing Markets Declines in November November’s National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index fell five points to an index reading of 33; analysts expected a reading of 36. November’s reading was the lowest since June 2012 except during the pandemic. All three indices contributing to the Housing Market Index were lower in November than in October. Homebuilder sentiment regarding current sales conditions…
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NAHB: Home Builders Concerned Over Housing Market Conditions

The National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index for November showed builders’ growing concerns over U.S. housing market conditions. November’s index reading dropped five points to 33 as compared to October’s reading of 38 and the November 2021 reading of 83. November’s home builder index reading was the lowest reading since June 2012 except during the pandemic. Readings over 50 indicate that most home builders were positive about housing market conditions. All three index readings that contribute to the HMI reading were also lower. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions fell six points to an index reading of…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 14, 2022

Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on monthly and year-over-year inflation and the University of Michigan’s preliminary reading on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Consumer Price Index: Inflation Shows Signs of Slowing Government readings on October inflation showed signs of stabilizing and even slowing. The Consumer Price Index for October showed month-to-month inflationary growth of 0.40 percent as compared to the expected reading of 0.60 percent and September’s reading of 0.40 percent growth. Year-over-year inflation rose by 7.70 percent as compared to the expected reading of 7.90 percent and September’s reading…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 7, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included the Federal Reserve’s statement on its target interest rate range and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s regularly-scheduled press conference. Data on construction spending and public and private-sector jobs was published along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Fed Hikes Key Interest Rate Range, but Signals a Future Slowdown The Federal Reserve increased its key interest rate range last week from 3.50-3.75 percent to 3.75-4.00 percent. While this was the highest interest rate range in 15 years, the Fed said it plans to continue raising the target interest rate range until it reduces the…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 31, 2022

Last week’s economic news included readings on home prices from S&P Case-Shiller home price indices along with sales of new homes and federal government data on inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Slows in August U.S home prices fell by 9.8 percent year-over-year in August according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. National home prices fell by -5.3 percent in July. The 20-City Home Price Index rose  13.1 percent year-over-year but reflected readings from markets that were stronger in 2021. Miami. Florida, Tampa, Florida, and…
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S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: U.S. Home Price Growth Slows in August

U.S home price growth slowed for the second consecutive month in August according to S&P Case-Shiller’s national home price index. National home price growth fell by -9.8 percent year-over-year as compared to July’s year-over-year reading of  -5.3 percent. Home price growth slowed by -1.1 percent month-to-month from July to August. Rising Mortgage Rates and Recession Worries Dampen Homebuyer Interest The Mortgage Bankers Association forecasted a recession in 2023 and expects mortgage rates to fall to approximately 5.40 percent by the end of 2023. Mike Fratantini, senior vice president and chief economist at the MBA, said: “The upside of [a potential…
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