The latest Mortgage Banker Association’s (MBA) Forbearance and Call Survey reports that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 34 basis points from 2.62% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week to 2.28% as of October 10, 2021. According to MBA’s estimate, 1.1 million homeowners are in forbearance plans.
News in end use
Canadian Housing Starts Decline Month-Over-Month in September
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced today (10-18-21) that the trend, which is a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts, in September was 271,068 units, down from 284,757 units in August 2021. The standalone monthly SAAR of housing starts for all areas in Canada was 251,151 units in September, a decrease of -4.4% from 262,754 units in August.
Builder Confidence Increases for Second Consecutive Month in October
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reported that builder sentiment in the market for newly built single-family homes edged 4-points higher in October to a reading of 80. This marks the second consecutive upward movement in the HMI. Builder confidence topped at a level of 90 in November 2020.
Fannie Mae Economists Revise GDP Downward but Home Mortgage Rates and Values Upward
According to Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group’s October 2021 commentary, global supply chain constraints continue to cap economic output amid growing inflationary and consumer-spending concerns. Accordingly, the ESR Group revised downward its full-year 2021 real gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections from 5.4% to 4.9%.
Median Home Price Jumps 14% in September, Marking 14th Consecutive Months of Double-Digit Gains
Redfin, the Seattle-based, technology-powered real estate brokerage, reported in a news release on Friday (10-15-21) that year-over-year the median home sales prices rose 14% in September to $376,800.
Prices for Goods Used in Residential Construction Decline Modestly in September
A closer look at the recently released Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) September Produce Price Index (PPI), with analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reveals that prices paid for goods used in residential construction, less energy, decreased -0.8% — not seasonally adjusted — in September.
Canadian National Home Sales Increase Month-Over-Month in September
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported today (Friday 10-15-21) that Canadian national home sales edged higher between August and September 2021. According to the CREA, Canadian home sales rose 0.9% on a monthly basis in September — the first month-over-month increase since March 2021.
Canadian Industrial Product Price Index for September Rose 1% Month-Over-Month and 15% Year-Over-Year
Statistic Canada (StatsCan) today (10-15-21) released their flash estimates for the Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) for September. The IPPI increased 1.0% month-over-month in September and was up 15.0% year-over-year. The month-over-month increase in IPPI was led higher by 3.3% increase in energy and petroleum.
University of Michigan Preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index Released for October
The University of Michigan today (10-15-21) released its preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) for October. The CSI declined to a reading of 71.4 in October, down from 72.8 in September. This is a month-over-month decrease of -1.9% and a year-over-year decrease of -12.7% (81.8 in October 2020).
Remodeling Market Index Up Year-Over-Year Despite Supply Chain and Labor Availability Headwinds
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Royal Building Products Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 87 in Q3 of 2021, up 5-points from Q3 of 2020. The HMI reading of 87 is a sign of positive residential remodelers’ sentiment for projects of all sizes.