Daily Archives: November 16, 2017

Pending home sales drop 3.6% | Cross River Real Estate

Contracts to buy previously owned homes were flat in September and activity declined on an annual basis for the fifth time in the last six months as demand for properties continued to exceed supply.

The National Association of Realtors said on Thursday its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed last month, was unchanged with a reading of 106.0. August’s index was revised lower.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast pending home sales edging up 0.2 percent last month.

Pending home contracts are viewed as a forward-looking indicator for the state of the housing market because they become sales one or two months later.

Although the U.S. economy continues to strengthen, the housing sector has faltered this year. Home sales have weakened amid tight inventories while builders have cited shortages of land and labor as a curb on construction.

Compared to one year ago, pending sales fell 3.5 percent overall and there were annual declines across all four of the nation’s regions.

Compared with the prior month, pending sales for September rose 1.2 percent in the Northeast, 1.4 percent in the Midwest and 1.9 percent in the West.

“Activity is falling further behind last year’s pace because new listings aren’t keeping up with what’s being sold,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement.

He added the situation will likely be further exacerbated as inventory starts to decline heading into the winter months.

The South saw declines of 2.3 percent in September, which the NAR largely attributed to the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

read more…

 

http://www.newsmax.com/Economy/pending-home-sales-housing/2017/10/26/id/822258/

Mortgage rates average 3.95% | Mt Kisco Real Estate

Freddie Mac (OTCQBFMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate moving to its highest mark since July.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.95 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending November 16, 2017, up from last week when it averaged 3.90 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.94 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.31 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.24 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.14 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.21 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.22 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.07 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quote
Attributed to Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac.
“Rates increased this week. The 10-year Treasury yield ticked up 6 basis points, while the 30-year mortgage rate jumped 5 basis points to 3.95 percent. Today’s survey rate is the highest rate in nearly four months.”