+0.6%
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Pending home sales rose 0.6% in August 2024, with the Midwest, South, and West regions of the U.S. posting monthly gains in transactions while the Northeast recorded a loss. Year-over-year, the registered growth, but the Northeast, Midwest, and South declined.
According to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, “A slight upward turn reflects a modest improvement in housing affordability, primarily because mortgage rates descended to 6.5% in August. However, contract signings remain near cyclical lows even as home prices keep marching to new record highs.”
Next release: Pending Home Sales for September 2024 will be released on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 10 a.m. Eastern.
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHS), a leading indicator of housing activity, measures housing contract activity, and is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, condos, and co-ops. Because a home goes under contract a month or two before it is sold, the Pending Home Sales Index generally leads Existing-Home Sales by a month or two.