Pending sales numbers are one of the most ubiquitous forms of data in real estate. They have their limits, but are also key to making sense of the housing business
Despite the modest slide, the National Association of Realtors' pending home sale index hit an all-time high for the month of November, it was announced Wednesday
Residential housing starts are not picking up
Low inventory levels have sidetracked the spring buying season and dampened financial and economic confidence
Buyer foot traffic and interest aren't translating into more contract activity
Contract signing activity remains high and the small drop is not for lack of demand
Prices are booming, but that isn't stopping inventory from flying on and off the market
NAR's index dipped to its lowest level in a year
December's PHSI jumped 1.6 percentage points from November and 0.3 percent from December 2015
The latest numbers on soon-to-close homes show an anemic month
After a dip in August, pending home sales are back on their (rising) track
The West and South witnessed the largest immediate gains in contract signings
March's PHSI shows a promising spring buying season -- NAR chief economist explains why
And they're predicted to keep rising
NAR's Pending Home Sales Index made promising strides in February, and the increased supply for buyers could affect home prices