Housing markets

Pending sales of previously owned US homes last month fell by the most since September 2022, illustrating a disappointing spring selling season as prospective buyers balk at high asking prices and borrowing costs. 

While overall investor purchase activity is returning to pre-pandemic norms, interest in condo units dropped to a 10-year low, as insurance and fees surged.

While more consumers claim they can't tell whether now is a good time to purchase a home, over half of prospective buyers said the market is better than it was in 2024.

Despite interest rate volatility, prepayment rates also increased, surging to levels last seen in October, according to a new ICE Mortgage Technology report.

The run-up in prices since the pandemic, and mortgage rates hovering near 7%, have squeezed affordability for house hunters, pushing many to the sidelines.

Purchases of new single-family homes increased 11% last month to a 743,000 annual rate, the highest level since February 2022, according to government data.

Rapidly rising tuition and housing costs both contributed to lower homeownership rates and a more than twofold surge in student debt in under 15 years.

The 14.3% rate for deals withdrawn in any April is the highest level other than in Covid-impacted 2020, as homebuyers reexamine the market, Redfin said.

Yields on the 10-year Treasury have been climbing because of the Moody's U.S. downgrade, the tax bill under debate in Congress and possible GSE reform.

The number of major housing markets with annual home price declines is the largest since late 2023, when average mortgage rates were above 7.5%.