I
am not suggesting that there are not any issues or concerns that remain
regarding housing, it is just that it has become very clear that housing is
improving and with each passing month the data appears to support the notion of
a recovery.
Despite
the fact that interest rates have come off their new record lows, buyers are
growing in numbers in the new home market.
The number of serious buyers exploring properties with the nation's home
builders continues to rise with the housing market index moving up by one point
in October.
Trends
in current sales, and especially in expectations of future sales, have been
sloping steeply higher this year. The
big surprise has been the significant increase in buyer traffic, as it’s at its
highest level since the boom days of 2006.
Further
evidence of housing improvement is in the recent release of stronger-than-expected
growth of both housing starts and permits in the latest report. The September housing
starts report is up 34.8% from a year ago.
Imagine
all of this is happening while many of the other economic reports are headed in
the wrong direction. This week First
Time Jobless claims jumped back up to 388,000 which is higher than we have seen
in recent weeks. Before we begin to
panic we must recognize that this weekly report has had large movements over
the last few months and a consistent rise in claims has not been seen. The reports seem to vary significantly week
to week.
Mortgage rates have been climbing for the last 2 weeks and the impact is being seen in
the number of people refinancing. Last
week the MBA reported that refinance applications declined by 5%. Purchase applications increased slightly,
which continues to validate the improving housing picture.
I
don’t know about you, but the election and the debates have been giving me big
headaches. Neither candidate talks about
what they will do to help the economy in any sort of detail. I can’t wait until the elections are over and
we can move forward.
Next
week’s economic reports are:
- Wednesday October 24th
- MBA Applications, FOMC Announcement and New Home Sales
- Thursday October 18th
– First Time Jobless Claims and Durable Goods Orders
- Friday October 19th – GDP
Sincerely,
Cindy Tomlinson
Loan Officer
Loan Officer
USLending
Company
DRE
Lic # 01520422
NMLS # 214851
NMLS # 214851
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