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US Housing Market Sees Easing Rates but Cautious Buyer Sentiment Persists

US Housing Market Sees Easing Rates but Cautious Buyer Sentiment Persists

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 In the past 48 hours, the US housing market has seen increased momentum as mortgage rates eased for the fourth consecutive week, dropping to 6.17 percent according to Freddie Mac. New home listings climbed 5.9 percent year over year, and total active home inventory is up 14.6 percent, now surpassing 1.1 million homes for the 26th week in a row. This influx signals more sellers entering the market, tempted by lower rates after months of hesitation caused by last year’s higher loan costs. However, homes are sitting longer, with the median market time steady at 63 days, matching typical pre-pandemic durations.

Buyers are cautiously reentering, but concerns over economic stability and recent layoffs at companies such as Amazon, combined with the threat of a government shutdown, are dampening consumer confidence. The Consumer Confidence Index declined in October, and this hesitation may slow recovery despite lower rates. The median monthly housing payment has seen its largest drop in almost a year, down 1.4 percent to 2530 dollars as of October 26, which has made homebuying marginally more accessible.

New homes now represent about 30 percent of single-family home inventory, a notable increase, as buyers shift toward new construction due to relatively limited existing home movement. Notably, the traditional new home price premium has disappeared, with new builds now occasionally priced lower than comparable resales, especially in the South.

The Mortgage Bankers Association expects 30-year fixed rates to remain above 6 percent through next year, suggesting affordability is improving only gradually. Industry leaders are responding by offering more incentives on new homes and ramping up inventory, while sellers who were previously locked in by low mortgage rates are more willing to list. Compared to last year, the pace of inventory growth has slowed slightly, but the market remains significantly looser than during the 2021 to 2023 period of ultra-tight supply.

Overall, while the easing of mortgage rates is bringing movement, persistent economic anxieties, a still-elevated interest rate environment, and the slow pace of recovery continue to define the current US housing landscape.

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