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Posted On Friday, 26 January 2024 12:11

High mortgage rates and an uptick in housing supply took some pressure off price growth, but prices aren’t falling because inventory is still low

U.S. home prices climbed 0.4% month over month in December—the smallest increase since June—according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. December represented the third straight month of slowing price growth. On a year-over-year basis, prices rose 6.6%.

This is according to the Redfin Home Price Index (RHPI), which is similar to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Indices but publishes more than one month earlier. December data covers the three months ending Dec. 31, 2023. Read the full RHPI methodology here.

"Many home purchases that closed in December were negotiated in November, when mortgage rates were near the highest level in over two decades. That likely depressed home price growth because buyers were grappling with limited purchasing power," said Redfin Senior Economist Sheharyar Bokhari.

Home price growth also likely slowed in December because the housing shortage eased slightly, giving buyers more options to choose from; new listings rose 0.1% to the highest seasonally adjusted level since September 2022. Still, housing supply remained far below pre-pandemic levels, preventing home prices from dropping as buyers compete for a limited pool of homes.

Overall, homebuying conditions have been improving. Price growth is slowing, supply is on the rise and mortgage rates have fallen significantly since their October peak. Price growth also appears to be normalizing as the housing market becomes more balanced; the 0.4% gain in December is roughly in line with monthly increases that occurred the years leading up to the pandemic.

“Homebuyers can take solace in the fact that prices are unlikely to balloon again like they did during the pandemic homebuying frenzy, but they probably won’t fall any time soon, either,” Bokhari said. “That’s because supply isn’t growing enough to bring prices down, and mortgage rates are no longer falling enough to drive prices up significantly.”

Prices Dropped Fastest in Austin, TX and Climbed Fastest in Chicago

Fifteen of the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas posted month-over-month price decreases in December, though all but one of those declines were less than 1%. In Austin, TX, prices fell 1.1%—the biggest drop among the metros Redfin analyzed. Next came Oakland, CA (-0.9%), Sacramento, CA (-0.8%), Miami (-0.6%) and Nashville, TN (-0.6%).

In Chicago, home prices rose 2.6% month over month—the largest increase among the 50 most populous metros. Rounding out the top five are San Jose, CA (1.7%), Pittsburgh (1.6%), Virginia Beach, VA (1.4%) and Charlotte, NC (1.1%).

To view the full report, including a chart and metro-level summary, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/redfin-home-price-index-december-2023/

Posted On Friday, 26 January 2024 06:52 Written by

-- Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.69 percent.

“The 30-year fixed-rate has remained within a very narrow range over the last month, settling in at 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Given this stabilization in rates, potential homebuyers with affordability concerns have jumped off the fence back into the market. Despite persistent inventory challenges, we anticipate a busier spring homebuying season than 2023, with home prices continuing to increase at a steady pace.”

News Facts

  • The 30-year FRM averaged 6.69 percent as of January 25, 2024, up from last week when it averaged 6.60 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.13 percent.
  • The 15-year FRM averaged 5.96 percent, up from last week when it averaged 5.76 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.17 percent.

The PMMS® is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20 percent down and have excellent credit. For more information, view our Frequently Asked Questions.

Freddie Mac’s mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website

Posted On Thursday, 25 January 2024 15:59 Written by
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