Local and community banks were the largest lending source in REALTORS®’ commercial markets during 2016, accounting for 32% of transactions.
The outlook in the condominiums market is mixed, with a “very weak” outlook in West Virginia, a “weak” outlook in eight states and the District of Columbia, and a “moderate” to “very strong” outlook in the other states.
Compared to a year earlier, home prices continue to rise in 98%of counties.
Economic activity slowed in the first quarter of 2017, despite a milder-than-usual winter.
At the national level, housing affordability is down from last month and down from a year ago. Mortgage rates increased to 4.11% this April, up compared to 3.89% a year ago.
Independent of headline seasonally adjusted figures, expect busier activity in May and even better in June.
The median expected home price change in the next 12 months was 4.2% (4.0% in March 2017; 3.8% in April 2016).
Each month, the Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey tracks changes in consumer views regarding the housing market. With HOME being launched in the first quarter of 2016, we can now compare what consumers are thinking about trends in real estate in the last year.
Generation X, buyers ages 37 to 51 years, make up the second largest share of home buyers by generation at 28 percent of all home buyers in 2016. The median age for this group is 43 years old and they were born between 1965 and 1979.
The Silent Generation, buyers ages 71 to 91 years, make up the smallest share of home buyers by generation at only eight percent of all home buyers in 2016. The median age for this group is 75 years old and they were born between 1925 and 1945.
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