National MI turned heads yesterday by announcing its temporary increase to AUS conforming loan amounts, despite the official FHFA word not coming until the end of November. (More below on the amounts.) Our biz is filled with “numbers people,” good or bad. According to Curinos, September 2023 funded mortgage volume decreased 30 percent YoY and 14 percent MoM. The average 30-year conforming retail funded rate in September was 7.01 percent, 18bps higher than August and 146bps higher than the same month last year. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures.) Inventory and sales aren’t helping. Economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg summed things up. “August data showed MoM housing starts down 11.3 percent to their lowest level since 6/20, the NAHB housing index down sharply M-o-M for the second month in a row, and new home sales weakening 8.7 percent MoM, the biggest decline since 9/22. Existing housing
Whether the economy has a soft landing and avoids a recession, or experiences a hard landing with rapid economic downturn, economists say the housing market will see more activity.
Despite a slight decline in mortgage rates from their recent high point, housing affordability hasn't improved significantly. Over the past four weeks ending on Sept. 3, the median U.S. home-sale price increased by 4.5% year over year, while mortgage rates have stayed above 7%. As a result, the typical monthly mortgage payment is now at $2,612 — just $18 less than the all-time high recorded in May, according to a report from Redfin. Elevated housing costs are dampening the demand for home purcha
Whether the economy has a soft landing and avoids a recession, or experiences a hard landing with rapid economic downturn, economists say the housing market will see more activity.