Analyzing Pending Home Sales: September 2009

Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Pending Home Sales Report for September showing a whopping 21.2% year-over-year increase in pending home sales nationally coming largely as a result of the governments historic housing tax gimmick.

Meanwhile, the NARs chief economist Lawrence Yun reports that there has been a “rush” of first-time “buyers” racing for a chance to jump at the governments housing tax carrot… the result… wealth stabilization for middle class families?

“What we’re witnessing is a rush of first-time buyers trying to beat the expiration of the tax credit at the end of this month, … Home values will stabilize sooner rather than over-correcting. That, in turn, will mean wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families and lay the foundation for a durable economic recovery.”

click to enlarge
The following chart shows the national pending home sales index along with the percent change on a year-over-year basis as well as the percent change from the peak set in 2005.

Look at the seasonally adjusted pending home sales results:

• Nationally the index increased 21.2% as compared to September 2008.
• The Northeast region increased 16.9% as compared to September 2008.
• The Midwest region increased 17.8% as compared to September 2008.
• The South region increased 22.8% as compared to September 2008.
• The West region increased 23.7% as compared to September 2008.

Comments

[rob134:]

"...wealth stabilization for middle class families?"

Nope...more debt.

Nov 02 10:56 PM