A deeper dive into the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Starts and Completion by Purpose and Design report reveals that custom home building posted a small increase during the first quarter of 2020.
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22% of Builders Nationwide Cut Prices in April 2020
According NAHB Housing Market Index, about 22% of builders nationwide cut their home prices, approximately 5%, in April, trying to rejuvenate sluggish sales and avoid cancellations.
Mortgage Refinancing Poised to Set 17-year High
With mortgage rates at near record low levels, Fannie Mae is expecting to see refinance (refis) volumes spike this year to a 17-year high.
Mortgage Applications Drop in Week Ending May 15th 2020
According to the MBA Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending May 15th, 2020, the Market Composite Index decreased -2.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Oregon Supreme Court Halts Baker County Circuit Court Judges Ruling Nullifying Gov. Brown’s Stay at Home Order
The Oregon Supreme Court has halted a Baker County Circuit Court judge’s ruling nullifying Oregon’s Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 stay at home order.
Buyers Interest in Small Town Living Increases Rapidly During COVID-19 Pandemic
According to a report from Redfin, pageviews of homes in small towns surged 105% year-over-year for the seven-day period ending May 1st.
After Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Slowdown – Real Estate Viewing are Showing Signs of Stabilizing
The initial drop in real estate showing activity experienced throughout much of the U.S. in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic has given way to signs of modestly stabilizing.
Housing Starts and Permits Tumble in April
The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that Privately-owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 891,000.
Builders Confidence Bounces Back in May from April’s Historic Decline
According to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for May, builders confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes increased to 7 points to a reading of 37.
Retail Sales Decline 16.4% in April
With many consumers sheltering in place last month and only leaving their homes only to purchase essential goods and services, retail sales declined 16.4% in April.