Pending home sales revived in August

In a sign that buyers are responding to low home prices and more affordable interest rates, the pending home sales index saw a 7.4% boost to 93.4 in August, according to the National Association of Realtors.
OCT 08, 2008
In a sign that buyers are responding to low home prices and more affordable interest rates, the pending home sales index saw a 7.4% boost to 93.4 in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. That is 8.8% higher than the August 2007 index of 85.8. The index, which measures signed sales contracts, is the highest since it stood at 101.4 in June 2007. Each region saw a surge in the index from July to August. In the South, it increased 2.3%, the Midwest rose 3.6%, the Northeast was up 8.4%, and the West climbed 18.4%. However, a forward-looking index like this has more volatility than one based on existing-home sales. “We need to see just how much of this gain holds up,” Lawrence Yun, Washington-based NAR’s chief economist, said in a statement. NAR reports that home prices are forecast to increase 2% to 3% next year. Existing-home sales are projected to be 5.04 million this year and increase to 5.41 million in 2009. However, new-home sales are expected to hover at around 503,000 this year and decrease to 471,000 in 2009.

Latest News

Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale
Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale

RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.

Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human
Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up
Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up

Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.

UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin
UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin

UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.

'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds
'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds

New director David Woodcock puts firms on notice over fees, conflicts, and liquidity risk as private credit shows signs of stress.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline