The National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index is based on a monthly survey of builders. It scores builders’ answers on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good than poor. In December, the index moved one point higher to 39. Robert Dietz, NAHB’s chief economist, says builders are growing more optimistic about the future. “In positive signs for the market, builders report that future sales expectations have been above the key breakeven level of 50 for the … [Read more...]

Home buyers think a lot about the type of home they want to buy. They think about kitchens and backyards, how many bedrooms they’ll need, and the type of neighborhood they hope to find. But how much thought do they give their mortgage rate? Apparently, not much. According to one new analysis, nearly 70 percent of buyers only submit one mortgage application and get one quote, potentially missing out on a better rate and savings. How much savings? Well, on the typical home paying November’s average rate, a buyer’s … [Read more...]

Prospective home buyers always want to find the best deal. That’s true no matter what the current mortgage rate is or how high the median home price climbs. But that doesn’t mean today’s housing market isn’t particularly challenging. Mortgage rates and home prices are significantly higher than they were even just a few years ago and that has buyers laser focused on finding the best bang for their buck. According to the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, 2026 should help them get it. Danielle Hale, … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Application Survey, the average mortgage rate for 30-year fixed-rate loans with conforming loan balances was virtually unchanged last week from one week earlier. Rates for loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration and 15-year fixed-rate loans both fell and jumbo loans and 5/1 ARMs increased. But despite an up-and-down week for mortgage rates, refinance demand spiked almost 8 percent higher than the week before and government refinances surged 24 … [Read more...]

Credit isn’t always equally available. When it’s tight, prospective borrowers will have a more difficult time getting approved for a loan. Lending standards are higher and fewer loan programs are available. When it loosens, borrowers can expect an easier time getting approved. That’s why the Mortgage Bankers Association tracks mortgage credit availability each month. Its Mortgage Credit Availability Index measures whether credit is loosening or tightening on a scale where any increase in the index indicates looser … [Read more...]

When there are more interested home buyers than there are homes for sale, the housing market gets challenging for buyers. Prices and competition rise and time on market plummets. Homes sell fast and buyers have to be ready to move quickly and readjust their budgets under pressure. That’s the way the housing market has been for most of the past five years though, more recently, inventory has improved and calmed things down. In fact, according to a new analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer … [Read more...]

ATTOM Data Solutions’ most recent Housing Risk Report looks at county-level housing markets and ranks their vulnerability to decline based on affordability, proportion of seriously underwater mortgages, foreclosure rates, and unemployment. According to the results, more than half of the nation’s 50 highest risk markets are located in just five states, with California collecting 16 all on its own. New Jersey followed with nine markets, Florida had four, and Arizona and Texas each had three counties at risk of … [Read more...]

The housing market has presented some challenges over the past five years. From skyrocketing prices and record-low inventory to climbing mortgage rates and deteriorating affordability conditions, it hasn’t been easy for home buyers and sellers. But has the tide finally turned? Possibly. According to a newly released forecast from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, 2026 may see a calmer, healthier, steadier housing market. Danielle Hale, the website’s chief economist, says the new year should … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates moved lower last week from one week earlier. Declining rates were seen across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says demand was mixed despite the improvement. “After adjusting for the impact of the … [Read more...]

The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of contracts to buy homes signed each month. Because most signed contracts lead to final sales weeks later, the index is considered a good forward-looking indicator of existing-home sales numbers. In other words, if pending sales rise in one month, final sales are likely to increase the following month. According to the NAR’s most recent results, contract signings were up 1.9 percent in October from the month before and are now just … [Read more...]