Last week’s economic news included readings on home prices from S&P Case-Shiller home price indices along with sales of new homes and federal government data on inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Slows in August U.S home prices fell by 9.8 percent year-over-year in August according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. National home prices fell by -5.3 percent in July. The 20-City Home Price Index rose 13.1 percent year-over-year but reflected … [Read More...]
U.S home price growth slowed for the second consecutive month in August according to S&P Case-Shiller’s national home price index. National home price growth fell by -9.8 percent year-over-year as compared to July’s year-over-year reading of -5.3 percent. Home price growth slowed by -1.1 percent month-to-month from July to August. Rising Mortgage Rates and Recession Worries Dampen Homebuyer Interest The Mortgage Bankers Association forecasted a recession in 2023 and expects mortgage rates to fall to approximately 5.40 percent by the end of 2023. Mike Fratantini, senior … [Read More...]
Whether the kids have moved out or you just aren't using the extra bedrooms, having a house that feels 'too big' is rarely fun. In today's post, we will share a few changes you can expect when you downsize from a large house to a smaller apartment or condo. Why Downsize At All? As you might imagine, having too much space is the primary reason that couples and families downsize. Larger homes cost more to maintain and can feel empty if it's just one or two people living there. In many cases, old items and clutter tend to build up as there is so much storage space. Downsizing to a smaller home … [Read More...]
Are you thinking about selling your house? Before you decide to list your home up for sale, it is helpful to get a clear picture of how much it's going to cost. Whether you are sprucing things up with a fresh coat of paint, replacing the roof membrane or just covering your taxes, there will be a few bills to pay. Let's take a quick look at some of the true costs that you'll incur when selling your home. Is Your Home Ready To Sell? The first question you will need to answer is whether or not your home is ready to sell. Unless your house is relatively new, it will likely need repairs and … [Read More...]
There are some people who are able to pay cash for a home. Typically, these are individuals who are selling an existing property that has gone up in value. Now, all of a sudden, they have a lot of extra money they can spend on a house. If you can pay cash for a home, you have a lot of extra negotiating power. When it is time to complete the sale, who pays? What Is Included In Closing Costs? Before deciding who pays closing expenses, it is important to take a look at what is included. Because you do not have to worry about going through a lender, you can avoid many of the fees associated with … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on national and regional U.S. housing markets. The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously-owned homes, and the Commerce Department released readings on building permits issued and housing starts. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builder Confidence in Housing Market Falls for 10th Consecutive Month The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in the U.S housing market fell … [Read More...]