US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Mar. 13) The small slide in existing home sales in March may add to concerns from some quarters that the housing recovery is hitting a soft patch. But look closely and there are a fair number of positives in... 22nd April 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Homebuilding recovery will continue despite thorns in its side The homebuilding recovery is running into a number of constraints, prompting three consecutive monthly falls in the NAHB homebuilder confidence index. In a worst-case scenario, confidence could weaken... 19th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Who is benefitting from the Funding for Lending Scheme? The Funding for Lending Scheme was designed with the purpose of boosting new lending to firms and households. Although the impact on lending has been rather modest, at least in terms of the housing... 18th April 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Teranet-National Bank House Prices (Mar.) Despite house prices rebounding by 0.4% m/m in March, the annual rate of house price growth dropped to a three-year low of 2.6%, down from 2.7% in February. We expect that, as existing home sales... 17th April 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Mar.) The big rise in starts in March should help to calm the nerves of those worrying that the homebuilding recovery is running out of steam. Starts will fall back next month and there are challenges... 16th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Outlook Government interventions make house price falls less likely The Government took further action to breathe life into the housing market in Budget 2013 by announcing a new Help-to-Buy scheme. Alongside the ongoing Funding for Lending Scheme, and with house... 16th April 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Housing demand likely to soften further The year-on-year drop in existing home sales supports our view that a potentially hard housing market correction is underway. Assuming that home sales continue to trend lower this year, then this will... 15th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Contradictory evidence on impact of 7% stamp duty rate Evidence on the impact of the new 7% stamp duty rate on activity in the £2m+ homes market is contradictory. Data from the Land Registry shows that transactions have held up. But agents report a... 12th April 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Talk of a US housing bubble is premature We place significant emphasis on valuations in our analysis of residential property markets. So we cannot take issue with those who have recently pointed out that house price gains which are twice the... 12th April 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Chart Pack Existing housing supply posts meaningful rise The inventory of new homes for sale has been rising for six months now, and in February the supply of existing homes for sale posted its first meaningful increase in two years. Admittedly, the 3.7% m... 10th April 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Housing downturn dashing hopes of economic rebound The downward trend in existing home sales, building permits and housing starts suggests that shrinking residential investment will be a drag on GDP growth over the first half of this year. Accordingly... 9th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Housing Market Survey (Mar. 13) Housing market transactions have now risen to a three-year high, as the increase in mortgage approvals facilitated by the Funding for Lending Scheme feeds through. But the more recent contraction in... 9th April 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Housing demand dashing hopes of spring rebound The Spring housing season is just getting underway but, unfortunately, hopes of a rebound in housing demand don't look promising. The affordability argument based on low mortgage rates isn't enticing... 8th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack Housing market recovery runs up against poor fundamentals What had looked like the beginnings of a modest housing market recovery is already losing steam. While Government efforts to support the market should prevent significant house price falls, weak... 5th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Halifax House Prices (Mar. 13) The modest rise in house prices recorded by the Halifax in March adds to the run of recent data showing the rise in housing market activity seen at the start of the year appears to be levelling off. 5th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Lettings Survey (Jan. 13) The latest RICS Residential Lettings Survey shows tenant demand accelerated in the three months to January. Alongside the recent reduction in mortgage approvals, this provides further evidence that... 4th April 2013 · 1 min read
