Homeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that over 86% of buyers agree homeownership is still the American Dream. Prior to the 1950s, less than half of the country owned their own home. However, after World War II, many returning veterans used the benefits afforded by the GI Bill to purchase a home. Since then, the percentage of homeowners throughout the country has increased to the current rate of 65.5% . That strong desire for homeownership has kept home values appreciating ever since. The graph below tracks home price appreciation since the end of World War II: The graph shows the only time home values dropped significantly was during the housing boom and bust of 2006-2008. If you look at how prices spiked prior to 2006, it looks a bit like the current spike in prices over the past two years. That may lead some people to be concerned we’re about to see a similar fall in
Good Morning! The Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Administration reported This Week in Real Estate that both housing starts and permits declined 4.2% and 2.4% in October from September, respectively. They are 8.8% and 10.1% lower than a year ago, respectively. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.6% in the week ending November 17, down 47 basis points the week before, marking the largest weekly drop since 1981. Mortgage applications increased for the first time in seven weeks, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. For the third report in a row the National Association of Realtors reported total inventory has decreased. NAR lists the current inventory at 1.22 million, while historical norms are between 2 million and 2.5 million. Below are a few newsworthy events from the third week of November that influence our business: * Homebuilding Continued its Slump in October as Both New Starts and Building Permits Fell. The pace of new construction
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