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Pending home sales jumped in September behind lower mortgage rates

Housing Wire

Lower mortgage rates in September had a measurable impact on home sales. According to data released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pending home sales in September jumped 7.4% An index reading of 100 equates to sales activity in 2001. An index reading of 100 equates to sales activity in 2001. “A

Sales 476
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Home sales are stalled with 7% mortgages

Housing Wire

We counted 10% fewer home sales for the week than the same week a year ago. In the fourth quarter of 2024, sales were coming in at 5% to 10% more than the year prior. Those sales gains have evaporated and even reversed. This housing market is on hold until mortgage rates come down. When will that be? I have no idea.

Sales 397
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Lower mortgage rates are spurring housing demand

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates recently hit a year-to-date low, coinciding with ongoing market disruptions from tariffs. Despite the crazy negative headlines, existing home sales aren’t crashing based on the data we are seeing now. In fact, if mortgage rates head toward 6%, we will have a positive year here.

Mortgages 533
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Why new home sales are disappointing, despite beating estimates

Housing Wire

Todays new home sales report beat market expectations, just like last weeks existing home sales report. Without more clarity on mortgage rates , substantial growth in housing permits is unlikely. Without more clarity on mortgage rates , substantial growth in housing permits is unlikely. months at the current sales rate.

Sales 490
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New-home sales hit highest level since 2021

Housing Wire

New home sales continue to be a bright spot in a dismal housing market. Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development shows new-home sales registering at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 698,000, good for a 6.7% Even better, new home sales for the calendar year 2024 are estimated at 683,000, which is 2.5%

Sales 476
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Mortgage applications rebounded 20% last week as rates dipped

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications jumped 20.0% from the prior week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) weekly mortgage applications Survey for the week ending April 4, 2025. The refinance index increased 35% from the previous week as mortgage rates took a dip. of total applications from 38.6% from 15.8%

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New-home sales beat estimates but need a dose of reality

Housing Wire

With new-home sales growing since 2022, why are housing starts at recessionary levels? The big publicly traded builders have money to pay down mortgage rates and manage their pipelines better than smaller homebuilders. Then mortgage rates fell from 7.5% However, that was short-lived; mortgage rates are closer to 7% again.

Sales 488