Tag Archives: Home Prices

According to a recent Realtor.com survey, more than half of all first-time homebuyers indicated that now is a good time to buy, as moderating price growth and mortgage rates are expected to help improve affordability throughout 2024.

A new report notes that 2023 foreclosure filings were up from 2022 but still below pre-pandemic levels. "Reflecting on 2023, we see the recent rise in foreclosure activity as a market correction rather than a cause for alarm. It signals a return to more traditional patterns after years of volatility," said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM.

While the total number of listings is down year-over-year, a new Redfin report revealed that mortgage applications are rising as more home sellers list their homes on the market, offering buyers a lower rate from their October-high and more inventory to choose from.

Inventory levels are improving, and home sellers were more active this December, according to Realtor.com's Monthly Housing Market Trends Report. With the number of homes for sale growing year-over-year, experts anticipate that more new listings will enter the market in 2024.

"Mortgage rate optimism increased dramatically this month, with a survey-high share of consumers anticipating mortgage rate declines over the next year," said Mark Palim, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at Fannie Mae.

“The slight increase in December listings indicates the impact of lower mortgage rates is beginning to trickle down into the market, which comes as an optimistic sign as we head into the new year," said Jeremy Sicklick, Co-Founder and CEO of HouseCanary.

While housing affordability is expected to improve in 2024, according to a new Zillow market report, with the hottest markets across the U.S. located in cities that offer cheaper mortgage payments and more job opportunities.

What will 2024 have in store? LendingTree experts weigh in on housing and economic conditions expected to occur throughout the year, from interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages to other benchmarks.

“This holiday season, homeowners are the ‘grinches,’ hoarding housing supply from willing buyers and keeping upward pressure on prices," said Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American. But the question remains: Will the New Year offer discouraged homebuyers more hope?

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, "The latest weakness in existing home sales still reflects the buyer bidding process in most of October, when mortgage rates were at a two-decade high before the actual closings in November.”