NAR's index of sales agreements for previously occupied U.S. homes rose 2.4% in June, its second straight monthly increase, to reading of 90.9; reading of 100 is considered healthy

Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen

WASHINGTON , July 28, 2011 () – The number of people who signed contracts to buy homes rose for a second month in June. But the gain was not enough to signal a rebound in the weak housing market.

The National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that its index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes rose 2.4 percent in June to a reading of 90.9. A reading of 100 is considered healthy by economists. The last time the index reached that level was in April 2010, the final month when buyers could qualify for a federal tax credit.

Contract signings are typically a reliable indicator of where the housing market is headed. That's because there's usually a one- to two-month lag between a sales contract and a completed deal.

But the Realtors group says a growing number of buyers have cancelled contracts ahead of closings after appraisals showed the homes were worth less than they bid. A sale isn't final until a mortgage is closed.

Homes are now the most affordable they've been in years. But bargain prices and super-low mortgage rates have done little to boost sales. Economists say it could be several years before the nation's housing market recovers.

Mixed reports on the struggling housing market -- an increase in contract signings, a rise in home prices, slumping sales of re-sold homes and huge numbers of foreclosures in waiting -- have left many economists puzzled. But one thing is clear: the housing market won't see a significant recovery this year.

"In absolute terms this is a very depressed level, and with prices in most areas either still declining or flat, there is little incentive for buyers to be aggressive," said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc.

The gain in contract signings in June followed an 8.2 percent increase in May. However, those two increases did not make up for a huge drop-off in April when contract signings had fallen 11.3 percent.

Sales of previously owned homes fell for a third straight month in June and are lagging behind last year's sales pace when 4.91 million homes were sold, the fewest since 1997. In a healthy economy, people buy roughly 6 million existing homes annually.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index released Tuesday showed that non-seasonally adjusted prices rose in May in 16 of the 20 cities tracked. But that was mostly because of an influx of spring buyers.

Seasonally adjusted prices have fallen a modest 1.2 percent over the past six months, according to the index. That's roughly a third of the decline from the previous six months.

One reason prices are stabilizing is that millions of foreclosures are in limbo, awaiting the results of a government investigation into improper practices by mortgage lenders. Once that probe is complete, banks will resume seizing homes and prices will likely fall again.

Analysts say the weakening job market and the uncertainty over foreclosures could lead to deeper price declines in the second half of the year. They estimate prices will fall another 5 to 10 percent by year's end.

Renting has become a preferred option for Americans who lost their jobs during the recession. Since 1992, apartments had made up about 20 percent of home construction. But that figure currently is running closer to 30 percent.

AS-image © 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Share:

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.