Personal Saving Rate Falls to 3.2% in March
The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal…
The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal income increased 0.5% in March, up from a 0.3% increase in the prior month. Gains in personal income are largely driven by increases in wages and salaries. As spending outpaced personal income growth, the March personal savings rate dipped to…
NAHB recently updated its 2024 priced out estimates, showing how higher prices and interest rates affect housing affordability. The new estimates show that affordability is a serious problem even before any further price or interest rate increases. Already in 2024, 103.5 million households are not able to afford a median priced new home ($495,750[1]). This…
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the U.S. economy grew at a noticeably slower pace in the first quarter of 2024 due to an increase in the trade deficit and weaker inventory investment. But it was still on solid ground supported by consumers, the government, and the housing industry. Meanwhile, the data from the…
Housing’s share of the economy rose to 16.1% in the first quarter of 2024. The share remained below 16% for all of 2023 at 15.9% in each of the four quarters. This increase to above 16% marks the first-time housing’s share of GDP is above 16% since 2022. In the first quarter, the more cyclical…
NAHB analysis of the most recent Quarterly Sales by Price and Financing report reveals that the share of new home sales backed by VA loans climbed substantially in the first quarter of 2024, while all-cash sales share fell by nearly 30%. However, the median purchase price of homes bought with cash continued to increase in…
Despite higher interest rates last month, new home sales rose in March due to limited inventory of existing homes. However, the pace of new home sales will be under pressure in April as mortgage rates moved above 7% this month, which is expected to moderate sales and increase the use of builder sales incentives this…