Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group sees little change ahead for the housing market, according to its most recent monthly forecast. The group’s September release says they believe the economy will slow as we head into early 2024 but they see little downside risk to home sales due to continued demand from buyers. In today’s market, home sales are being driven more by life events than discretionary factors, the group says. That means demand should remain steady and – with the ongoing shortage of available homes for sale – it’ll help support home values while also contributing to the strength of the new home market. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s senior vice president and chief economist, says interest rate policy will keep things from changing too drastically in the near future. “We expect that total housing market activity will remain at a low level into 2024 as the Federal Reserve continues to hold the line on interest rates against inflation,” Duncan said. (source)

The National Association of Home Builders’ monthly Housing Market Index is based on a survey of builders. The survey asks builders for their perception of the current market for newly built, single-family homes and scores their responses on a scale where any number over 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good than poor. In September, the index fell below 50 for the first time in five months, dropping to 45. Robert Dietz, NAHB’s chief economist, says mortgage rates have slowed buyers. “High mortgage rates are clearly taking a toll on builder confidence and consumer demand, as a growing number of buyers are electing to defer a home purchase until long-term rates move lower,” Dietz said. In response, more home builders are cutting prices to lure buyers. In fact, 32 percent of builders reported cutting home prices in September, up from 25 percent in August and the highest share yet this year. (source)

Affordability is always a top factor for potential buyers when deciding whether or not it’s time to buy a house. After all, you have to know what you can and can’t afford before you head out to buy. That’s certainly true in today’s market. With mortgage rates and home prices up, it’s as important as ever for buyers to be aware of market conditions and what options they have. But while cost is always a factor, it’s not the number one thing currently giving buyers pause, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors. In fact, survey respondents named lack of inventory as the top reason they’ve yet to buy a home, with 34 percent of prospective buyers saying inventory is the reason they haven’t purchased a house yet. Mortgage rates and prices were next on the list, though, with 18 percent saying they’re waiting for rates to drop and 9 percent hoping prices will fall. (source)

Access to credit isn’t fixed. There are times when it’s easier for a borrower to get approved for a loan and times when it’s more difficult. That’s why the Mortgage Bankers Association keeps a monthly measure of mortgage credit availability. Its Mortgage Credit Availability Index measures whether or not lending standards are loosening or tightening. If the index increases, it means standards have loosened, making it easier for borrowers to secure financing. If it decreases, standards have tightened and borrowers will have to be better financially prepared if they hope to be approved for a loan. In August, the index saw a slight increase, rising 0.3 percent from the month before. According to Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and chief economist, the improvement was driven by an increase in loan programs. “The overall increase was driven by an increased number of loan programs that included parameters such as cash-out refinances and mid-range credit scores,” Kan said. It was also driven by gains in the component measuring jumbo loans. The jumbo MCAI was up 2.7 percent over the month before. (source)

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, demand for loans to buy homes increased last week from one week earlier. The 1 percent improvement was slight but welcome, as it came during a week when rates moved higher. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says overall demand is muted. “Purchase applications increased over the week despite the increase in rates, pushed higher by a 2 percent gain in conventional loans,” Kan said. “Given how high rates are right now, there continues to be minimal refinance activity and a reduced incentive for homeowners to sell and buy a new home at a higher rate.” Overall, demand for mortgage applications was down 0.8 percent week-over-week. Rates, on the other hand, were up across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. The MBA’s weekly survey has been conducted since 1990 and covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. (source)

Temperatures rise in the summer then start to fall as autumn approaches. The housing market follows a similar pattern. The number of home buyers active in the market starts to climb in spring and peaks sometime in early summer. By September, things are typically beginning to cool off, as buyer activity slows. That, however, doesn’t mean it isn’t a good time to shop for a house. In fact, according to one new analysis, home buyers may find improving conditions as we head into fall, making it an ideal time to be looking to buy. Why? Well, for one, fewer buyers in the market means less competition for available homes, at a time when inventory is low. That’ll give active buyers a little more breathing room and time to make decisions. It’ll also mean price increases begin to moderate. They already have. In fact, the typical home value rose just 0.2 percent from July to August. Combined with the fact that new listings are rising – at a time of year they usually fall – slower prices and less competition could add up to an opportunity for buyers gearing up to shop houses this fall. (source)

The internet has made it easier for potential home buyers to get a feel for what homes are on the market and in their price range. But while looking at listings online is a helpful resource, nothing beats seeing a house in person. Scheduling a showing is typically the next step for buyers interested in a house for sale. It allows them to get a closer look at the home’s condition, its layout, and it’s potential. Showings are a great way for buyers to determine whether or not they want to make an offer on a house. They’re also a reliable gauge of how much buyer interest there currently is in the market. After all, the more scheduled showings, the more interested buyers. And according to one recent analysis, buyer interest – and showings – are up this summer. In fact, showing activity, as of July, was up in every region across the country. In the Midwest and Northeast, showings saw a more than 20 percent year-over-year gain, while the South saw an 8 percent increase and the West was up 5.5 percent. (source)