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MarketMinute | Why are builders optimistic for 2025?

Dec 20

2:57

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

The Fed cut policy interest rates by 0.25%. The Board signaled plans to slow rate cuts in 2025, leading to a significant jump in mortgage rates.

Retail sales increased more than expected in November, consistent with strong underlying momentum in the economy as the year winds down.

Revised final 3rd-quarter GDP figures show the economy grew 3.1%, more than the 2.8% initial estimate.

Housing News

November existing home sales posted the largest annual gain since 2021, helped by increased inventory. Activity remains subdued, however.

Single-family housing starts rebounded in November, increasing 6.4%. Single-family building permits rose 0.1%.

Builder sentiment remained steady at year's end, balancing high home prices and rates with hope for a better regulatory climate in 2025.

MarketMinute | Where are home prices heading in 2025?

Dec 6

3:01

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

In October, job openings rose to 7.7 million, up 372K from September. However, a slowdown in hiring indicated a mixed labor market.

Another reflection of the mixed labor market was an ADP report of lower-than-expected private payrolls growth in November.

The Fed's Beige Book showed slight economic growth with subdued employment, modest inflation, and optimism about rising demand.

Housing News

Purchase mortgage applications jumped 6% for the week to the highest level since January, although down 21% from a year ago.

Loan limits on single family homes will rise next year, reaching $806,500 for conforming loans and $524,225 for FHA loans in most areas.

Fannie Mae’s 4th-quarter Home Price Expectations Survey predicts a slowing growth rate, from a forecasted 5.2% in 2024 to 3.8% next year.

MarketMinute | Existing home sales moved up!

Nov 22

2:01

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Weekly jobless claims for last week hit a 7-month low, suggesting job growth rebounded in November after slowing last month.

Prices have risen somewhat faster than expected in the past few months, raising questions about whether the Fed can achieve its 2% inflation goal.

Stronger than expected economic and labor market data and increasing inflation concerns could reduce expected future Fed policy rate cuts.

Housing News

Homebuilder sentiment rose to a 7-month high in November as expectations for sales in the next 6 months surged to a 2-1/2 year high.

Housing starts in October hit a slump, likely caused by hurricanes in the Southeast. Permits rose slightly, signaling an anticipated rebound.

Existing home sales were up in October, the first annual gain since 2021, as buyers rushed to take advantage of briefly lower mortgage rates.

MarketMinute | A crystal ball into the 2025 market? See what one economist predicts

Nov 15

8:55

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

October consumer inflation data was in line with expectations. Housing costs pushed the rate up but showed signs of moderating.

Wholesale inflation also came in as expected for October, keeping the Fed on track to cut the policy rate at its December meeting.

Last week's jobless claims hit the lowest level since May, signaling a still-healthy demand for workers after recent storms and strikes.

Housing News

Purchase mortgage applications rose 2% for the week and were 1% higher than one year ago.

ICE reports home sale inventory improved for the 8thmonth in September, up 24% year over year but down 26% from pre-pandemic levels.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, predicts existing home sales will rise 9% and new home sales will jump by 11% year over year in 2025.

MarketMinute | How are older Americans impacting the market?

Nov 8

2:03

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

October's jobs report showed only 12K new jobs were created versus the expected 100K, yet unemployment remained at 4.1%.

Jobless claims increased slightly last week but remained below expectations. The 4-week average fell, indicating a stable labor market.

Stocks continued to surge to record highs. All 3 major indexes reached record levels as investors bet on lower taxes and deregulation.

Housing News

Purchase mortgage applications dropped 5% last week but were still up 2% over the same week a year ago.

A recent MBA-RIHA report shows more homeowners ages 70+ are staying in their homes, contributing to the supply shortage.

ICE reported the average homeowner with a mortgage had $319K in equity at the end of October, for total of $17.2 trillion among the cohort.