Residential Real Estate News
Pending Home Sales in U.S. Slip in July
Monthly mortgage payment reached nearly $2,000 in June, up 54% from last year
According to the National Association of Realtors, U.S. pending home sales declined for the second consecutive month in July 2022, and for the eighth time in the last nine months. Three out of four major regions registered month-over-month decreases, though the West notched a minor gain. Year-over-year, all four regions saw double-digit percentage slides, the largest of which occurred in the West.
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings, slid 1.0% to 89.8 in July. Year-over-year, pending transactions sank 19.9%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.
"In terms of the current housing cycle, we may be at or close to the bottom in contract signings," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "This month's very modest decline reflects the recent retreat in mortgage rates. Inventories are growing for homes in the upper price ranges, but limited supply at lower price points is hindering transaction activity."
In June, housing affordability plummeted to its lowest level since 1989, according to NAR. Accounting for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a 20% down payment, the monthly mortgage payment on a typical home jumped to $1,944, an increase of 54%, or $679, from one year ago.
"Home prices are still rising by double-digit percentages year-over-year, but annual price appreciation should moderate to the typical rate of 5% by the end of this year and into 2023," Yun added. "With mortgage rates expected to stabilize near 6% alongside steady job creation, home sales should start to rise by early next year."
Pending Home Sales Regional Breakdown
The Northeast PHSI dipped 1.9% from last month to 79.3, down 15.4% from July 2021. The Midwest index retracted 2.7% to 91.2 in July, a 13.4% decline from a year ago.
The South PHSI decreased 1.1% to 106.6 in July, a pullback of 20.0% from the previous year.
The West index increased 2.2% in July to 70.0, down 30.1%
