What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 25, 2016

Last week’s economic news included readings on builder confidence in housing market conditions, housing starts, building permits issued and existing home sales. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence fell one point in July to 59 as compared to an expected reading and June reading of 60. Builders again cited shortages of buildable lots and labor.

Existing Home Sales Dip More Than Expected

November sales of pre-owned homes dipped lower than expected and prior month’s readings according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Analysts expected existing home sales to slow to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.30 million sales, which was based on October’s reading of 5.32 million sales. Instead, November’s reading dropped to 4.76 million sales. November’s drop represented a decline of 10.50 percent drop in existing home sales month-to-month; existing home sales were 3.80 percent lower year-over-year.

Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Hit Second Highest Level in 8 Years

Housing markets show continued strength as the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes reached their second highest level since February 2007. Sales of pre-owned homes increased by 4.70 percent and reached 5.55 million sales on a seasonally adjusted annual basis against analyst expectations of 5.34 million sales and August’s reading of 5.30 million sales of previously owned homes.

Good News! Existing Home Sales, FHFA Home Prices Increase

Housing markets show continued signs of strengthening according to reports released on Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors® reported that sales of pre-owned homes rose to 5.49 million in June as compared to May’s revised reading of 5.32 million pre-owned homes sold and expected sales estimated at 5.42 million sales. Expectations were based on May’s original reading of 5.35 million sales. June’s reading was the highest since February of 2007. Readings for existing home sales are calculated on a seasonally adjusted annual basis.