Housing: New Homes

Mortgage Rates Decreased to 5.33%

Mortgage rates decreased 15 basis points, while 10 Year US Treasuries decreased 9 bps, thus spread decreased by 6 bps to 258 bps or 90 bps ABOVE the 168 bps average.  

NEW HOME SALES and PRICES

When COVID-19 first hit the US in March 2020 sales of NEW homes immediately stalled but quickly resumed as interest rates declined.  With record-low mortgage rates, sales of NEW homes surged in late 2020 and into 2021.  As mortgage rates increased sales slowed but appear to be at levels slightly below levels that prevailed prior to March 2020.  The increased sales with multi-generational lows may have brought demand forward, thus giving the impression that NEW home sales have stalled.