A recent survey by First American Financial Corp. reveals that there is no housing affordability crisis. One of the reasons given in the survey is that while home prices have been increasing, so have incomes. The report went on to show that most states have reached their peak home price at 2007 levels, while incomes are much higher than they were in last decade.
U.S. Stocks are lower today as investors remain on edge about the U.S.-China trade talks coupled with less than impressive corporate earnings released this morning. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin is in Beijing today spearheading two days of trade talks between the two countries. The closely watched S&P 500 has fallen below a key technical level, which is ushering in more selling.
Mortgage rates edged slightly lower this week after three straight weeks where borrowing costs have risen, after being in an upward pattern since the year began. Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell three basis points to 4.55% with an average 0.5 in points and fees. Despite the higher rates this year, Freddie Mac reports that its data through April shows that first-time home buyers represent 46% of purchase loans, up from 43% over the same period a year ago.
