Home sales decline after strong January showing

Sales of previously owned U.S. houses unexpectedly fell in February, showing that the real estate market is taking time to strengthen.
Purchases dropped 0.9 percent to a 4.59 million annual rate from a revised 4.63 million pace in January that was faster than previously estimated and the highest since May 2010, a report from National Association of Realtors showed March 21 in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey called for a rise to 4.61 million.
The glut of foreclosed properties is putting more homes on the market and creating a headwind for the industry that precipitated the last recession. Still, purchases may improve as job and income growth, cheaper homes and mortgage rates near a record low keep affordability near an all-time high.
“The U.S. housing market is stabilizing, and very gradually carving out a recovery,” said Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, who correctly projected the February sales rate. “Housing demand should pick up in response to falling unemployment and attractive affordability.” •

No posts to display