Tag Archives: Affordability

According to Chief Economist Mark Fleming, if inflation decelerates toward the Fed’s target range in the second half of 2023, as is currently expected, it’s possible that mortgage rates may decline modestly in the latter half of the year.

According to a new LendingTree study, a combination of relatively high rates and weak homebuyer demand will likely cause a gradual decline in prices nationwide in 2023. Click to see what else experts predict this year.

A new report from Redfin revealed homebuyers received concessions such as money for repairs and mortgage-rate buydowns in a record 42% of home sales in the fourth quarter, up 11% from a year earlier and marking the highest share of any three-month period recorded.

Elevated mortgage rates continue to accentuate affordability concerns, keeping many prospective buyers out of the market. Meanwhile, the MBA reports application volume slid to close out 2022.

First American reports that between September 2022 and October 2022, rose nearly 9% month-over-month, with the rapid annual decline in affordability driven by a 12% annual increase in nominal house prices.

Southern states are seeing an influx of movers, according to North American Van Lines' 2022 Annual Migration Map, with many Americans migrating to find increased affordability, better quality of life, and lower income taxes.

According to said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, “Pending home sales recorded the second-lowest monthly reading in 20 years as interest rates, which climbed at one of the fastest paces on record this year, drastically cut into the number of contract signings to buy a home.”

According to a new report from Redfin, some homebuyers are resuming their search as home prices and mortgage rates dip.

“Now that home prices have plateaued and even declined in some markets, buyers are faced with mortgage rates that have doubled, making home purchases even less affordable,” said Rick Sharga, EVP of Market Intelligence at ATTOM.

Freddie Mac reports the fixed-rate mortgage sliding for the sixth straight week, with the downward trend in rates resulting in a rise in refis, offsetting a week-over-week decrease in purchase activity.