Tag Archives: IHS Global Insight

With all the news of still-declining home prices, most buyers are keeping their feet firmly planted on the sidelines unless they're sure they're getting a bargain. At the same time agents and banks are battling (mis)perceptions in their local markets, where property values may not be on such a slippery slope. Add to the equation a distressed property, and finding an agreeable short sale price while still covering enough of the mortgage debt to win over the lender can be a challenge. It's a nasty tug-of-war, with neither buyers or sellers feeling like they're gaining any ground.

The National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that sales of previously owned homes rose 3.7 percent last month, following the 9.6 drop recorded in February. The results were slightly better than forecast, but reaction was mixed after the release of the report. One economist says sales have now stabilized at a level no higher than that seen during the recession, and with so many forced foreclosed sales, a recovery is not even on the horizon. But another points out that it's distressed properties that are helping to elevate sales activity as investors line up for a bargain.

Existing-home sales fell in February following three straight monthly increases, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Monday. Sales of previously owned homes dropped 9.6 percent last month to an annual rate of 4.88 million. The latest figures came in much lower than analysts were expecting. NAR attributed the February results to the twin headwinds of tight credit and appraisal problems that resulted in contract cancellations. Distressed homes accounted for nearly 40 percent of the pre-owned sales volume in February.

Americans are beginning to gain ground against the worst recession in recent history as more and more economic indicators point to recovery. A new study from the Federal Reserve says household net worth in the U.S. soared $2.1 trillion during the last three months of 2010. The figures are a good sign for the mortgage market as it struggles to get a handle on delinquency numbers in the millions, provided the increased net worth translates into fewer homeowners who are unable to meet their mortgage obligations.

The nation's unemployment rate dropped to 9.0 percent in January, although employers added just 36,000 jobs to their payrolls, according to figures just released by the Department of Labor. January's rate is down from 9.4 percent in December, and is the lowest jobless reading reported by the federal government in two years. The market was expecting the drop. The Dow Jones Industrial Average broke 12,000 on Thursday in anticipation of the decline.

Sales of previously owned homes surged 12.3 percent in December, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales have increased five of the last six months and have now hit a seven-month high, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million units. That's up from a rate of 4.70 million in November, but remains 2.9 percent below the 5.44 million pace in December 2009. Distressed homes accounted for 36 percent of December's sales.

Experts agree that job creation is critical to getting the housing and mortgage markets back on track - both in curbing delinquencies by ensuring homeowners have the ability to make their mortgage payments and in giving consumers the confidence to become homebuyers. If unemployment remains elevated for an extended period, the housing recovery is expected to grind along at a snail's pace. Currently the nation's unemployment rate sits at a 26-year high. But what can we expect heading into the new year?

The average American's financial situation improved during the third quarter, according to data released by the Federal Reserve. The news is seen as a positive sign for the nation's mortgage markets, which have been stressed by an elevated number of borrowers struggling to fulfill their mortgage obligations because of deteriorating personal finances. The Fed says household wealth grew by 2.2 percent, or $1.2 trillion, during the third quarter as stock market gains offset the $700 billion that was lost on real estate assets.

Sales of previously owned homes rose in September for the second straight month. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) on Monday reported a 10 percent jump. The month-to-month gain was more than analysts were expecting, and NAR says the latest numbers ""affirm a sales recovery has begun."" Some market observers, though, suggest such an assertion is premature. The median sales price of existing homes dropped 2.4 percent in September. Distressed homes accounted for 35 percent of the month's transactions.

Sales figures for previously owned homes rose in August following a big correction in July, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Thursday. The trade group's existing-home sales report showed a 7.6 percent increase in transactions during the month, bumping the annualized sales pace to 4.13 million homes and reducing for-sale inventory to an 11.6-months supply. The sales share of distressed homes rose to 34 percent last month. Analysts say the results are in line with expectations but disappointing, nonetheless.