Salt Lake County, central Utah receive federal funding to make homes safer
Salt Lake County and six central Utah counties will receive nearly 50% of the $6.8 million allocated for home safety improvements in the Mountain West region. The funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aim to address health hazards in...
Homebuyers: 2025’s Ride Will Be Bumpy!
Home values are expected to rise 2.6% in 2025, matching 2024's growth pace. Sales of existing homes will climb to 4.3 million in 2025, up from 4 million this year.
How Rate Cuts Could Fuel Homebuying Competition
The Fed influences mortgage rates indirectly through its policy on inflation and labor market data. Mortgage rates generally drop with Fed rate cuts, making borrowing cheaper for consumers.
Top Tips for Avoiding High Mortgage Rates
Feeling trapped by high interest rates? Take charge with these effective strategies to secure better mortgage rates. Review and improve your credit report and score to enhance lender confidence and secure favorable rates.
Existing-home sales rose slightly during February after two consecutive months of regression.
Total existing-home sales increased by 3 percent last month to a seasonally-adjusted average of 5.54 million, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales are up 1.1 percent from a year ago.
Buyer demand remains strong thanks to a healthy economy spurred by job growth and wage increases. While inventory levels are still low, they took a step in the right direction last month. Total housing inventory increased by 4.6 percent in February to 1.59 million existing homes for sale, per the NAR. However, inventory levels are down 8.1 percent compared to last year and has fallen year-over-year for 33 straight months.
Properties remained on the market for an average of 37 days last month and 46 percent of homes sold in February were listed for less than a month, per the NAR.
Housing affordability is becoming a concern as median existing-home prices continue to rise. The median existing-home price was $241,700 in February, an increase of 5.9 percent compared to February 2017.
Mortgage rates are also rising in tandem with home prices. The average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional fixed-rate mortgage increased for the fifth straight month to 4.33 percent in February. That’s the highest rate since April 2014, when it was 4.34 percent.
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun believes supply must start catching up to demand soon to balance the market.
“Mortgage rates are at their highest level in nearly four years, at a time when home prices are still climbing at double the pace of wage growth,” Yun said. “Homes for sale are going under contract a week faster than a year ago, which is quite remarkable given weakening affordability conditions and extremely tight supply.
To fully satisfy demand, most markets right now need a substantial increase in new listings.”
Yun believes unseasonably cold weather played a role in muting sales last month, particularly in the Northeast and the Midwest. Mother Nature could impact home sales in March as the Northeast braces for the fourth winter storm to cripple the region in roughly three weeks.