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Pending home sales in the United States slowed modestly in August but contract signings remain at their second highest level over the past year, according to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors. All major regions experienced declines except for the West, which rose for the fourth consecutive month, the forward looking pending home sales index also shows. Overall the index fell 1% to 104.7 in August from 105.8 in July, and is now 2.2% below August 2013 when it was 107.1. Despite the slight decline, the index is above 100, considered an average level of contract activity, for the fourth consecutive month and is at the second highest level since last August. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said that contract signings are holding steady and fewer distressed sales and less investor activity is likely behind August’s modest decline. ‘Fewer distressed homes at bargain prices and the acknowledgement we’re entering a rising interest rate environment likely caused hesitation among investors last month. With investors pulling back, the market is shifting more towards traditional and first time buyers who rely on mortgages to purchase a home,’ he added. According to NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, some 81% of first time buyers in 2013 who financed their purchase obtained a conventional or FHA loan. Overall, first time home buyers have been less prevalent from the housing recovery, representing less than a third of all buyers each month for the past two years. Yun pointed out that first time buyer participation should gradually improve despite tight credit conditions and the inevitable rise in rates. ‘The employment outlook for young adults is brightening and their incomes finally appear to be rising. Jobs and income gains will help repay student debt and better position first time buyers, setting the stage for improved sales growth in upcoming years,’ he explained. The PHSI in the Northeast slipped 3% to 86.5 in August, but is still 1.6% above a year ago. In the Midwest the index fell 2.1% to 102.4 in August, and is 7.6% below August 2013. Pending home sales in the South decreased 1.4% to an index of 117 in August, unchanged from a year ago. The index in the West rose for the fourth consecutive month by 2.6% to 102.1, but still remains 2.6% below August 2013. Existing home sales are expected to be stronger in the second half of the year behind improved inventory conditions, continuously low interest rates and slower price growth. Overall, Yun forecasts existing homes sales to be down 3% this year to 4.94 million, compared to 5.09 million sales of existing homes in 2013. The national median existing home price is projected to grow between 5% and 6% this year and 4% and 5% next year. Continue reading →
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