Hopes of a robust spring homebuying season are quickly running into harsh economic realities
Pending home sales slid on a monthly and annual basis in January, despite improving market factors. However, several economists urged calm, saying a sales boost will likely come this spring
Inflation rose at an annual rate of 2.7% in December, leading many to believe the Fed will hold rates steady this month. But if market conditions cool, a March rate cut may be in the cards
Investors pushed bond yields and mortgage rates down Friday after Fed chair says policymakers are starting to see unemployment as a bigger risk to the US economy than inflation
Inflation moved away from the Fed's 2% target for the second month in a row, with the cost of goods and services rising 2.7% from a year ago, up from 2.3% in April: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) rose by 2.0% to 72.0 in February, according to new data released Thursday by NAR. But contract signings fell 3.6% compared to last year
Homebuyers have responded to a pullback in mortgage rates from January highs, but tariffs on imported goods could keep inflation elevated and halt the downward trend in rates
Mortgage rates eased Friday as investors took stock of new data showing employers added 151,000 workers to their payrolls in February and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%
The latest CPI reading is in line with expectations, but progress in the fight against inflation has stalled, economists warn. A slower pace of easing might keep mortgage rates above 6% in 2025
October Consumer Price Index report isn't having a big impact on mortgage rates, as investors who fund most home loans doubt the Fed will have much room to bring rates down next year
Reports send mixed signals on the economy, with CPI showing prices rose more sharply than expected in September and jobless claims surging to highest level in more than a year