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Existing-Home Sales Recovering From Temporary TRID Setback

house-keySupply and demand troubles have been constant burdens on the housing market in the last few months, and Ten-X.com (formerly Auction.com) predicts that existing-home sales for February will be affected by the lack of options in the market.

Ten-X's Residential Real Estate Nowcast for February 2016 shows that existing-home sales for February 2016 are expected to fall  between 5.23 and 5.58 million annual sales, with a targeted number of 5.4 million. This number is up 10.4 percent year-over-year, but down 1.3 percent month-over-month.

The January existing-home sales report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that sales are well on the path to recovery from TRID delays that have hampered sales since November.  The report found that existing-home sales increased 0.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.47 million in January from a downwardly revised 5.45 million in December. Existing sales are now 11.0 percent higher than a year ago, the highest annual rate in six months and the largest year-over-year gain since 16.3 percent July 2013.

“Following the temporary market setbacks brought on by the implementation of the CFPB’s ‘Know Before You Owe’ rules, the latest sales figures indicate that housing is starting off the year on solid ground,” said Ten-X Chief Economist Peter Muoio. “Several positive underlying fundamentals–particularly a stronger labor market and improved household spending power due to reduced energy expenses–should lead to a rise in home sales despite growing global economic concerns and relatively weak GDP growth.”

“Following the temporary market setbacks brought on by the implementation of the CFPB’s ‘Know Before You Owe’ rules, the latest sales figures indicate that housing is starting off the year on solid ground.”

Peter Muoio, Ten-X Chief Economist

According to the NAR, the median existing-home price in January was $213,800, up 8.2 percent from last January's median price of $197,600. Housing inventory rose 3.4 percent to 1.82 million existing homes available for sale, but is still 2.2 percent lower than a year ago when inventory totaled 1.86 million. Inventory levels remain low at a 4.0-month supply, up slightly from 3.9 months in December 2015.

Ten-X forecasted that sales prices for existing homes will fall between $209,607 and $231,671 in the month of February with a targeted price of $220,639. This will mark a 9.3 percent year-over-year increase.

“Constrained inventory will continue to limit the recovery of the housing market, and it doesn’t seem likely that we’re going to see a surge in the number of homes for sale as the spring home buying season approaches,” said Ten-X EVP Rick Sharga. “As demand appears to be growing–especially in certain geographies–prices are likely to rise, impacting affordability, and leaving homeownership just out of reach for many would-be buyers.”

About Author: Xhevrije West

Xhevrije West is a talented writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas. She has worked for a number of publications including The Syracuse New Times, Dallas Flow Magazine, and Bellwethr Magazine. She completed her Bachelors at Alcorn State University and went on to complete her Masters at Syracuse University.
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