Tag Archives: Home Prices

Home prices have hit record highs once again, according to a national price index released today. And with high demand and tight inventory, they’re likely to keep rising for the foreseeable future. So, how long do we have until the bubble bursts? Today’s index has some answers.

Cost of living is on the rise across the country, according to a report released on Monday that lists the top 10 cities in the country with the fastest rate of increase in the cost of living over a one year period between 2016 and 2017. The study used two main metrics to rank the cities: the increase in the cost of living index—food, rent, utilities, and transportation costs. It also measures the increase in the amount of income that was needed to “live comfortably,” which is defined by the amount of money a household has to make in a year to account for necessities, savings, and discretionary spending.

According to a new report issued on Friday, home price appreciation rates are disparate between the nation’s most and least expensive cities—and that gap is only widening. While 16 percent of U.S. markets have seen housing prices jump 40 percent since the year 2000, another 30 percent of cities actually saw prices decline over the same period. Despite the discrepancy, nominal prices rose in 97 out of the nation’s 100 biggest metro areas last year due to high demand and tightening supply. As a result, affordability is on the downslope across the nation; an estimated 19 million households spent more than half of their income on housing.

Despite the recent rate hike, buyers overall feel their search won't be affected, according to a recent report. May was a hot month for for increasing home prices, and the report suggests the summer selling season will be no different. How will increasing home prices and dwindling inventory affect those searching for a home?

According to new data, home prices have hit a new peak, now reaching $272,000. Eight states and 15 metros also hit new price peaks this year. Washington has seen the biggest jump in prices over the year.

On Wednesday, at 9 a.m. EST, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) will release its House Price Index (HPI) for March. The Index covers single-family housing, using data provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Previously, the FHFA reported in its February HPI that home prices rose 0.8 percent month-over-month. In the report, January’s former unchanged index was revised to a 0.2 percent increase.

Builder confidence in the housing market rises as demand for newly-built, single-family homes rises. Based on a monthly survey from the NAHB, the HMI measures the health of the housing market on a point system from 0 to 100 based on three factors. The survey asks participants to rate market conditions for the sale of new, single-family homes at present, the market conditions for the sale of new, single-family homes in the next six months, and the traffic of prospective buyers of new homes.

Though prices are up and mortgage rates are rising, housing is still pretty affordable—at least by historical standards. According to new data, the beginning of 2017 saw steady credit access, rising borrower FICO scores, and a decline in refinance transactions. The average FICO score of a first-time GSE buyer in January was 739.7.

It looks like 2017 may be the nation’s fasted-paced market in seven years if March is any indication. Homes sold in an average of just 49 days for the month, and in some markets, it took just eight days. March also saw home prices and sales increase, and a large portion of sales came in well above listing price.

The twin realities of the current U.S. housing market‒‒rising home prices and shrinking inventories in nearly every metro‒‒are increasingly putting homes out of reach for middle-income workers within their cities. The typical American worker makes just over $37,000 annually, while the typical American house costs just under $255,000.