Send Article via Email

Pending home sales increased in November for the third straight month and reached the highest level in two-and-a-half years, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 1.7 percent to 106.4 in November from a downwardly revised 104.6 in October and is 9.8 percent above November 2011 when it was 96.9. The data reflect contracts but not closings.

The index is at the highest level since April 2010 when it hit 111.3 as buyers were rushing to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. With the exception of several months affected by tax stimulus, the last time there was a higher reading was in February 2007 when the index reached 107.9.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said home sales are on a sustained uptrend. "Even with market frictions related to the mortgage process, home contract activity continues to improve. Home sales are recovering now based solely on fundamental demand and favorable affordability conditions."

More from MND:

• MBS Commentary: MBS RECAP: Another Hopeful Morning Dashed by Defensive Reality
• Mortgage Rate Watch: Mortgage Rates Near 2013 Highs to Start Week
• MND NewsWire: MBA Highlights Opportunity For Private Capital Risk-Sharing With GSEs
• MND NewsWire: Fannie Forecast Serves up Feast for Housing Recovery Bulls
• MND NewsWire: Delinquencies to Decrease Slightly, Price Appreciation Sustainable -FICO Survey

If you would like to opt-out of receiving email forwards from this person please click here to remove your email address.