Eye On Housing
Author Archives
Stephen Melman, J.D., is the Director of Economic Services at the National Association of Home Builders. Mr. Melman is a spokesman for NAHB’s forecast of new housing trends and the analysis of the home building industry. He has published numerous research articles on topics including industry structure and publicly traded builders. Before his current position, Mr. Melman was responsible for NAHB’s multifamily and federal housing program initiatives. Prior to NAHB, Mr. Melman was an Appeals Officer for the US Civil Service Commission in Washington, DC. He is a former president of Sinai House, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing for homeless families in Washington, DC. Mr. Melman earned a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law, a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, and a B.A. in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis.
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July Existing Sales Slow Again
Despite gains in the West and South, existing home sales fell for a second consecutive month, declining 1.3 % in July, but remained 2.1% above the pace a year ago. Some 51% of homes sold last month were on the market less than a month as buyers overcame low inventory and higher prices. July inventory declined 1.0%, and is now… Read More ›
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Pending Sales Break Losing Streak
The Pending Home Sales Index increased for the first time since February and investors retreated, giving first-time buyers a better chance to enter the market. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), increased to 110.2 in June, up 1.5% from an upwardly revised 108.6 in May,… Read More ›
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June Existing Sales Slow
Existing home sales decreased 1.8 % in June, but remain 0.7% above the pace a year ago. Some 54% of homes sold last month were on the market less than a month as buyers overcame low inventory and higher prices. June inventory declined 0.5%, and remains 7.1% lower than a year ago, having fallen year-over-year for the 25th consecutive month…. Read More ›
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Pending Sales Slide for Third Consecutive Month
The Pending Home Sales Index decreased for the third month in a row, and annually for the second year in a row. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), decreased to 108.5 in May, down 0.8% from a downwardly revised 109.4 in April, and down 1.7%… Read More ›
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May Buyers Rush Past Market Challenges
Existing home sales increased 1.1% in May, and 55% of homes sold last month were on the market less than a month as buyers overcame low inventory and higher prices. Although May inventory increased 2.1%, it remains 8.4% lower than a year ago and fell year-over-year for the 24th consecutive month. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that at… Read More ›
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Pending Sales Slump
The Pending Home Sales Index decreased 1.3% in April for a second consecutive monthly decline, and fell 3.3% below its level a year ago. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), decreased to 109.8 in April, down from a revised 111.3 in March. The PHSI decreased… Read More ›
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April Buyers Chafe at Supply Constraints
Existing home sales declined 2.3% in April as inventory fell year-over-year for the 23rd consecutive month, while the velocity of sales increased to the highest level since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) began tracking the monthly sales timeframe. At the current sales rate, the April unsold inventory represents a 4.2-month supply, up from the March 3.8-month supply, but down… Read More ›
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Pending Sales Pause
The Pending Home Sales Index decreased 0.8% in March 2017, but remains 0.8% above its level a year ago. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), decreased to 111.4 in March, down from 112.3 in February. The PHSI increased in the South by 1.2%, but fell… Read More ›
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March Sales Roar Like a Lion
Existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), surged 4.4% in March to the highest pace in ten years. At the current sales rate, the March unsold inventory represents a 3.8-month supply, unchanged from February. March existing sales were up 5.9% from the same month a year ago, and reached a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.71… Read More ›
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Pending Sales Spring Up
The Pending Home Sales Index increased 5.5% in February 2017 to its highest level since April 2016, and the second highest since May 2006. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), increased to 112.3 in February, up from 106.4 in January and up 2.6% from the… Read More ›