The Mortgage Bankers Association is reporting that data from its Builder Application Survey (BAS) reveal mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 10% month-over-month in March and were up 0.6% year-over-year. This change does not include any adjustments for typical seasonal patterns.
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Canadian Housing Starts Declined in March
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported Wednesday that the standalone monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of total housing starts for all areas in Canada declined 11% in March to 213,865 units, compared to February’s 240,927 units.
Canada’s Industrial Product Price Index Inches Higher in March; Raw Materials Price Index Declines
Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that prices of products manufactured in Canada, as measured by the Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI), inched up 0.1% month-over-month in March, following a 0.6% decline in February. Year-over-year, the IPPI was down 1.8%.
Mortgage Applications Decline in the Week Ending April 14th
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Application Survey for the ending April 14th, the Market Composite Index—a measure of mortgage loan application volume—decreased 8.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
US Housing Starts, Permits, and Completions All Fell in March
The US Census Bureau on Tuesday reported that privately‐owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,420,000. This is 0.8% below the revised February estimate of 1,432,000 and 17.2% below the March 2022 rate of 1,716,000.
Canadian Consumer Price Index Posts Smallest Increase Since August 2021
Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.3% year-over-year in March, following a 5.2% increase in February. This was the smallest increase since August 2021 when it was 4.1%.
US Builder Sentiment Up for Fourth Consecutive Month in April
On Monday, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes increased 1 point in April to a reading of 45—the fourth consecutive month of gains.
New Listings of US Homes For Sale Dips for Eighth Consecutive Month
Redfin reported that for the four-week period ending on Sunday, April 9th, new listings of US homes for sale dropped 25% year-over-year. This continues an eight consecutive month streak of double-digit declines of new home listings.
Remodeler Sentiment Inches Higher in Q1
The National Association of Builders/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for Q1 was released on Thursday. According to the report, the RMI for Q1 edged 1 point higher from 2022Q4 to a reading of 70.
US Rents Post First Year-Over-Year Decline Since March 2020
Redfin reported on Friday that the median US asking rent fell 0.4% year-over-year in March to $1,937. This is the first annual decline in asking rents since March 2020 and the lowest median asking rent in 13 months. As a comparison, rents were up 17.5% one year earlier in March 2022.