Things To Know When Getting Ready To Buy A Home
Things To Know When Getting Ready To Buy A Home Are you in the market to buy your dream home? Congratulations! This is an exciting step in your life, but it can also be overwhelming and confusing at times. From navigating the financial aspects to understanding the...
Considering Selling Your Home As A Senior?
Considering Selling Your Home As A Senior? Let A Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Be Your Guide! Are you a senior considering a move or possibly selling your home? Making decisions related to real estate can be overwhelming, especially as you enter the golden...
Salt Lake County Market Insights By Marty Gale Utah Realty
Salt Lake County Market Insights from May 2022 to June 2023 Buy or Sell with Marty Gale "Its The Experience" Principal Broker and Owner of Utah Realty™ Licensed Since 1986 CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST (CLHM) PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor) General...
What Makes A Great Real Estate Agent
What Makes A Great Real Estate Agent Are you on the hunt for your dream home or perhaps looking to sell your property for top dollar? Choosing the right real estate agent is essential in ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. But what exactly sets apart a...
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.