US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Dec.13) The drop in housing starts in December was more or less in line with expectations and is explained by the surge in housing starts in the previous month and the winter storms in December. We continue... 17th January 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Dec.13) The drop in mortgage applications in December reflects the increase in mortgage interest rates over the past two months. But if the wider economy continues to pick up speed during 2014 as we expect... 8th January 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Nov.13) It’s too early to tell if the marginal dip in the annual pace of house price inflation in November marks the start of the slowdown in price gains that we are expecting. But we are confident that... 7th January 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Nov.) The further decline in existing home sales to 4.90 million annualised in November, from 5.12 million the month before, reflects the continuing impact of the marked rise in mortgage rates earlier this... 19th December 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Sep., Oct. & Nov. 13) The strong rise in housing starts in November is an encouraging sign that homebuilders have not been overly spooked by higher mortgage interest rates. And with starts still below the level needed... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Sep. 13 & Oct. 13) New home sales were still suffering the effects of the rise in mortgage interest rates in September, but fully made up for their earlier weakness in October. In other words, higher rates do not appear... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Nov 13.) The slight rise in mortgage applications for home purchase in November was not enough to undo earlier falls. But it was a step in the right direction and we expect mortgage activity to pick up... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Oct. 13) With the release of the CoreLogic house price index for October it’s clear that the pace of monthly house price gains has accelerated in recent months. But we continue to expect price gains to slow... 3rd December 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller Home Prices (Q3 13) National US house prices posted another solid gain in Q3 and are now rising at double-digit rates year-on-year. But this may well mark the peak of annual house price gains. 26th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Oct. 13) The further decline in existing home sales in October is the result of the earlier hike in mortgage interest rates. The immediate outlook for existing home sales is negative, but the loosening in... 20th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Oct. 13) The latest dip in mortgage approvals offers further evidence of a moderation in the rate of the housing recovery. But if the wider economic recovery picks up speed next year as we expect, mortgage... 6th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Homeownership and Vacancy Rate (Q3 13) The homeownership rate ticked up in the third quarter of the year. But the recent drop in home sales and mortgage demand, as well as the fact that the rise was driven by older households, suggests... 5th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Sep. 13) The CoreLogic house price index suggests that the recent easing in house price pressures went into reverse during September. But with signs that the rise in interest rates has had a more pronounced... 5th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller Home Prices (Aug.) The solid rise in the Case-Shiller house price index confounded expectations from some corners that price growth was set to slow further in August. But it does not rule out a slowdown in house price... 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Sep. 13) The decline in existing home sales in September was driven by the steady rise in mortgage interest rates seen over the preceding months. If the timelier new home sales figures are any guide, this set... 21st October 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Sep.) Mortgage applications for home purchase rose in September, the first gain in three months. This may be an early sign that borrowers are starting to adjust to the higher interest rate environment. 2nd October 2013 · 1 min read