Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey hits record lows.
News in end use
New Home Sales Fall -11.0% in November 2020 but are 20.8% Above November 2019
The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are jointly reporting that the sales of new single-family houses in November 2020 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 841,000. This is -11.0% below the revised October rate of 945,000 but is 20.8% above the November 2019 estimate of 696,000.
Mortgage Applications Increase 0.8% in Week Ending December 18th, 2020
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending December 18th, 2020, The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
U.S. Personal Income Decreases $221.8 billion or -1.1% in November
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is reporting that according to their estimates personal income decreased by $221.8 billion or 1.1% in November. Disposable personal income (DPI) decreased $218.0 billion or 1.2% and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) decreased $63.3 billion or 0.4%.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports October House Prices Increased 10.2% Year-Over-Year
According to the latest Federal Housing Finance Agency’s House Price Index (FHFA HPI®) house prices rose nationwide in October, up 1.5% from the September reading. Year-over-year house prices have increased 10.2% (October 2019 to October 2020).
Weekly Jobless Claims Climb Higher in the Week Ending December 19th, 2020
The U.S. Department of Labor is reporting that an additional 803,000 Americans made their initial filing for unemployment benefits during the week ending on Saturday, December 19th. A decrease of 89,000 from the previous week’s revised level.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Declined for Second Straight Month in December
The Conference Board is reporting that U.S. consumer confidence dropped for a second straight month in December. The result of a deterioration in the labor market amid renewed business restrictions to slow the raging pandemic offset the rolling out of a vaccine for COVID-19.
Federal Housing Authority Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium Through February 28th, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced (12/21) that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is providing a two-month extension of its foreclosure and eviction moratorium, and initial forbearance requests through Sunday, February 28th, 2021.
U.S. Census Bureau Reports Apartment Absorption Rate Increased While Rents Declined in Q2 2020
The recently released U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA) reveal that the absorption rate of unfurnished, unsubsidized apartments (the share rented out in the first three months following completion) moved up to 60% in Q2 of 2020, up from 55% in Q2 of 2019.
The Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Increases Modestly in the Week Ending December 13th, 2020
The latest Mortgage Banker Association’s (MBA) Forbearance and Call Survey reports that the total number of loans now in forbearance increased slightly from 5.48% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week to 5.49% as of December 13, 2020. According to MBA’s estimate, 2.7 million homeowners are in forbearance plans.