By the Numbers

After five weeks of increases, rates pulled back slightly, but rising home prices and record-high mortgage payments continue to hamper affordability.

In a recent survey by the New York Fed, consumers said they expect rates to hit 8.7% in a year and 9.7% in three years.

Rates are likely to stay higher for longer, but as inventory builds, pent-up demand and more home choices could entice buyers — if they can afford it.

Even as interest rates and prices keep rising, new and pending home sales have ticked up.

Active listings are back to pre-pandemic levels, but home prices — and home insurance costs — keep going up, creating a tough market for buyers and sellers.

No rate relief is expected soon, and home prices are also setting records this spring, suppressing existing home sales.

Get answers to the big questions on everyone's mind: What will happen with inventory and mortgage rates — and will the NAR settlement impact the market?

As the U.S. economy continues to show strength, mortgage rates could stay in the 7% range this homebuying season.

A pair of new reports look at the role investors played in the housing market last year and offer insights into their current outlook and pain points.

While consumers are feeling less enthusiastic about the direction of mortgage rates, they “appear to be moving past the hurdle of last year’s sharp jump.”

Mortgage rates ticked up slightly this week, but have stayed in a narrow range throughout 2024. Upcoming economic reports could test this period of stability.

There are more green shoots for would-be home buyers this spring as inventory grows to its highest point since 2020, according to Realtor.com’s monthly report.

NAR’s annual generational trends report examines buyer and seller characteristics and dives into their needs — and how they compensate agents.

The regions continue to see significant price growth and elevated buyer activity, but national price growth is expected to slow this year as supply increases.

Despite a less competitive market for buyers, cash remains king — not to win bidding wars, but to avoid inflated financing costs.

Mortgage apps dropped this week even as rates fell, but pending sales began to show signs of life.

A new report from Realtor.com looks at the cost gap between renting and owning and finds that many markets are now significantly more favorable to renters.

The inventory of new homes remains elevated, helping offset the low levels of available existing homes.

While home sales still aren’t as strong as they were in 2023, the near-10% jump in February “is a good sign” — but the momentum may not last.

Homebuyers may have more choices, but financing continues to be challenging.