We had more good news for housing last week with Pending Home Sales UP 3.2% for July, gaining ground for the sixth month in a row! This positive number should point to yet another hike when August Existing Homes Sales numbers come out. There was also encouraging construction data, as July single-family home building was UP 7% – the largest monthly increase since 1983, when housing boomed coming out of the 1981–1982 downturn. The combination of affordability, low mortgage rates and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers is having a terrific effect on the housing market. Unfortunately, that tax credit will expire November 30 unless Congress elects to extend it. Let's hope they do.
Speaking of mortgage rates, these dropped nicely last week, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Nationally, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.08% with an average of 0.7 point. That was down from 6.35% a year ago! These rates are for prime borrowers who can put 20% down and who qualify for loans eligible to be purchased or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
~ Courtesy of Chuck Chrobak, Golf Savings Bank, 425.330.9657, CChrobak@GolfSavingsBank.com
- Jeanette Eide
- Bellevue, Washington
- I’m a full-time professional Realtor specializing in residential resale and new construction in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Newcastle, Sammamish, Bothell, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Everett, Woodinville, Kent, and Renton. Together with my husband Erik, we have over 17 years experience. We take the time to listen – getting to know you and establishing your exact needs. From there, our sole focus is getting you where you want to be, on time, in the smoothest manner possible. Together with our team of professionals, the closing of your transaction will be handled knowledgeably with the attention to detail you expect and deserve.
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