Talking Points …
- For the sixth consecutive month, at least 70 percent of metro housing markets have been classified by the National Association of Home Builders as “improving.” A market is classified as “improving” if there are increases in housing permits, employment and home prices for at least six months running. Since July 2012, the number of improving markets has more than tripled.
- Fannie Mae’s latest National Housing Survey shows that 57 percent of respondents expect prices will continue to rise in the next 12 months. Those who expected prices to fall stayed flat at 7 percent. Seventy-two percent of respondents said now is a good time to buy.
- Nearly 60 percent of respondents in Fannie Mae’s latest National Housing Survey believe that mortgage rates will rise over the next 12 months. This is a spike of 11 percentage points. Four percent said they expect rates to decrease.