Compared to July 2022, the monthly mortgage payment decreased by 4.4% while the median family income increased by 0.3%, making home buying more affordable in August.
Amid unyielding inflation and rising borrowing costs, consumers are starting to cut spending, mostly on big-ticket items.
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.92% from 6.66% the previous week. While inflation remains elevated, mortgage rates will continue to move up, making homeownership even further out of reach for many.
Inflation refuses to budge. In September, consumer prices rose by 8.2%. Rents rose by 7.2%, the highest pace in 40 years.
Job gains continued in September 2022 with a solid 263,000 net new additions and the unemployment rate is tight at 3.5%.
Mortgage rates took a breather this week, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling slightly to 6.66% from 6.70% the previous week.
While the economy continues to deal with elevated inflation, data shows a slowdown in the growth of commercial real estate.
A quick snapshot shows the resilience of the American spirit in putting things back to normal after a major storm.
Mortgage rates rose by more than one percentage point in September 2022, making home buying 12% more expensive now than it was a month ago.
August's pending home sales pace weakened 2.0% last month and fell 24.2% from a year ago.
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