The Perks of Downsizing When You Retire
The Perks of Downsizing When You Retire Some Highlights If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses. Smaller homes typically have lower energy and maintenance costs. Plus, you may have...
The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home
The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home You may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions. And if you’re following along, it can be pretty confusing....
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami Have you heard the term “Silver Tsunami” getting tossed around recently? If so, here’s what you really need to know. That phrase refers to the idea that a lot of baby boomers are going to move or downsize...
Utah Licensed Real Estate Agents
In the past, we have had over 30,000 Active licenses. At the End of 2023 here is where we stand. Data is sourced from the Utah Division of Real Estate 22, 853 Active Licensees Sales Agent - 18,517 Principal Broker - 2442 Branch Broker - 171 Inactive - 4016 In...
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.