Category Archives: Mortgages

Has the slowdown begun?

Posted on April 19, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: March homes sales dropped despite a surge in supply. Here’s why. Sales of previously owned homes dropped 4.3% in March compared with February, to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 4.19 million units, according to the National Association … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 1 Comment

Mortgage rates hit 4 month high

Posted on April 18, 2024 by grim

From the Real Deal: Mortgage applications jump as buyers worry about rising rates Mortgage activity increased anyways, suggesting homebuyers and homeowners are concerned rates aren’t done rising. Applications for mortgage purchases and refinancings rose 3.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 62 Comments

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Posted on March 12, 2024 by grim

From Coldwell Banker: 2024 Consumer Survey Key Findings – March 2024 Over a quarter (26%) of surveyed consumers have not provided or do not plan to provide financial support for their child(ren)’s first home, compared to 38% who said they … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 103 Comments

What if rates don’t come down?

Posted on February 26, 2024 by grim

From Newsweek: Housing Market Update: Home Prices Reach Troubling Milestone Insufficient supply of homes in the market is pushing up prices, Wells Fargo economists said, making it tougher for Americans to afford a home amid elevated mortgage rates. The median sale … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 46 Comments

Free and Clear

Posted on February 20, 2024 by grim

From NJ.com: More than 1 in 3 N.J. homes now mortgage free in major home debt shift More than one-third of homes in New Jersey are mortgage free, mirroring national trends and reaching new highs, federal data shows. U.S. Census … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Mortgages, National Real Estate, New Jersey Real Estate | 37 Comments

Mortgage see-saw takes it’s toll

Posted on February 15, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Mortgage rates surge higher again, causing homebuyers to pull back After a brief reprieve in December and January, mortgage rates are moving higher again, and that is taking its toll on mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume fell 2.3% … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 52 Comments

Short refi window closes

Posted on February 6, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Mortgage rates jump back over 7% as stronger economic data rolls in The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage crossed over 7% on Monday for the first time since December, hitting 7.04%, according to Mortgage News Daily. … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 111 Comments

Finally slowing?

Posted on February 2, 2024 by grim

From CNBC: Home prices began to cool in November after nine straight months of gains, S&P Case-Shiller says Home prices in November fell 0.2% from October, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index. While that may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 124 Comments

#hodlforever

Posted on January 25, 2024 by grim

About time the rest of the industry noted the behavioral trend that we were one of first to identify and discuss. 2) Mortgage lock-in, and this is one of the major trends I’m looking at in the near future. Should … Continue reading →

Posted in Crisis, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages | 59 Comments

Prices to fall in 2024?

Posted on January 21, 2024 by grim

From Fast Company: Fannie Mae expects U.S. home prices to rise in 2024; Morgan Stanley disagrees “When we published our year-end forecast, we were expecting [housing] affordability to improve. . . . If mortgage rates were to stay here that improvement … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 78 Comments

Foreclosure Do-Over

Posted on January 13, 2024 by grim

From NJ Monitor: Gov. Murphy signs new foreclosure protection program into law New Jerseyans facing foreclosure will have a new path back to homeownership under a bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed Friday. The new law creates the community wealth preservation program, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, New Jersey Real Estate, Risky Lending | 30 Comments

December a mixed bag for NJ real estate

Posted on January 11, 2024 by grim

From Yahoo Finance: Real estate market update: What happened with listings in North Jersey in December December is a traditionally slow month for real estate in New Jersey and across the nation. So it’s no surprise that North Jersey experienced … Continue reading →

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, New Jersey Real Estate | 66 Comments

NJ real estate will do great … as long as rates drop

Posted on January 5, 2024 by grim

From NJ Spotlight News: NJ home sales poised for a 2024 comeback? In the first days of the new year, New Jersey analysts predicted that New Jersey’s beleaguered housing market is poised to make a comeback in 2024 if interest … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Mortgages, New Jersey Real Estate | 110 Comments

What’s next year got in store?

Posted on December 30, 2023 by grim

From Bankrate: 2024 first-quarter housing trends: Rates begin to thaw “We typically see housing inventory remaining low until February and then ramping up from March onward,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. “Homebuying and open … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Housing Bubble, Housing Recovery, Mortgages, National Real Estate, Where's the Beef? | 40 Comments

Room to run

Posted on December 15, 2023 by grim

From Business Insider: The Fed brought some relief to the housing market The Federal Reserve’s forecast for easing monetary policy in 2024 fueled stocks to new highs, dragged bond yields lower, and sparked a fresh wave of exuberance across Wall Street.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing Bubble, Mortgages, National Real Estate | 97 Comments