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3 in 10 Americans Looking to Buy
Posted On: June 2nd, 2015 8:17PM
More potential home buyers are poised to enter the market this year, according a national survey by Chase, "Insights: From the Mind of the Homebuyer." Three in 10 potential buyers say they plan to purchase a home in the next 18 months, with 32 percent of respondents citing low interest rates and 20 percent attributing rising rental costs as reasons for getting off the sidelines.
The survey also found that 62 percent of interested buyers believe that now is a better time to purchase a home compared to last year. And 20 percent of buyers surveyed say they want to upgrade from their current home.
But the survey did find concerns about affordability and competition. Nearly 70 percent of prospective home buyers say they worry that they missed the chance to buy at the best time because of rising home prices. Fifty-six percent say they are concerned about finding a home that fits within their budget and that’s located in a quality neighborhood. Bidding wars are also a concern, with three out of four buyers worrying they will be outbid by others.
“Buyers are clearly concerned about housing inventory and rising prices, especially during the competitive spring buying season,” says Cecelia Barbieri, senior vice president of marketing for Chase Mortgage Banking. “But the research shows that interested buyers are optimistic and ready to act on their goals. In fact, 73 percent said they’d give up things like eating out and taking vacations in order to buy their dream home.”
Quick stats from the survey:
- 43 percent of potential home buyers feel that getting a mortgage will be easier this year.
- 49 percent of women surveyed say they are more conservative than their partner and don’t want to go beyond their agreed-upon budget, while 39 percent of men say they are less conservative than their partner and are willing to push their budget limit to get the home they want.
- Only one in four interested buyers correctly answered a series of questions about home buying, including how annual percentage rates work, down payments, and lenders.
Pending Home Sales Climb in April to Highest Level since May 2006
Posted On: June 2nd, 2015 8:03PM
WONDERFUL NEWS FOR SELLERS!
WASHINGTON (May 28, 2015) — Pending home sales rose in April for the fourth straight month and reached their highest level in nine years, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Led by the Northeast and Midwest, all four major regions saw increases in April.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 3.4 percent to 112.4 in April from a slight upward revision of 108.7 in March and is now 14.0 percent above April 2014 (98.6) — the largest annual increase since September 2012 (15.1 percent). The index has now increased year-over-year for eight consecutive months and is at its highest level since May 2006 (112.5).
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says the steady gains in contract activity each month this year highlight the fact that buyer demand is strong. "Realtors® are saying foot traffic remains elevated this spring despite limited — and in some cases severe — inventory shortages in many metro areas," he said. "Homeowners looking to sell this spring appear to be in the driver's seat, as there are more buyers competing for a limited number of homes available for sale."
Adds Yun, "As a result, home prices are up and accelerating in many markets."
Following April's decline in existing-home sales, Yun expects a rebound heading into the summer, but the likelihood of meaningful gains will depend on a much-needed boost in inventory and evidence of moderating price growth now that interest rates have started to rise.
"The housing market can handle interest rates well above 4 percent as long as inventory improves to slow price growth and underwriting standards ease to normal levels so that qualified buyers — especially first-time buyers — are able to obtain a mortgage."
After falling four straight months, the PHSI in the Northeast bounced back solidly (10.1 percent) to 88.3 in April, and is now 9.4 percent above a year ago. In the Midwest the index increased 5.0 percent to 113.0 in April, and is 13.3 percent above April 2014.
Pending home sales in the South rose 2.3 percent to an index of 129.4 in April and are 14.8 percent above last April. The index in the West inched 0.1 percent in April to 103.8, and is 16.4 percent above a year ago.
Total existing-home sales in 2015 are forecast to be around 5.24 million, an increase of 6.1 percent from 2014. The national median existing-home price for all of this year is expected to increase around 6.7 percent. In 2014, existing-home sales declined 2.9 percent and prices rose 5.7 percent.
Media Contact: Adam DeSanctis www.realtor.org
