The Obama administration’s Housing Scorecard for November showed an improving housing market, with home prices remaining strong and foreclosures falling. But the administration cautions in the report that the recovery remains “fragile.”

Economic and job growth and rising home prices “have helped to reduce foreclosure starts to levels not seen since 2005,” says Kurt Usowski, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s deputy assistant secretary for economic affairs. “And although the number of home owners ‘underwater’ … is down more than 40 percent from its peak, the number remains historically elevated, meaning more work needs to be done to ensure the continued stability of the housing market.”

The scorecard reviews housing data to gauge the health of the housing market.

Existing-home sales dropped in November, but remained strong over last year’s numbers (426,700 in November 2013 compared to 402,500 in November 2012), according to National Association of REALTORS® data.

New-home sales also posted year-over-year gains: 37,000 in October 2013, up from 30,400 in October 2012, according to U.S. Census and HUD data.



Inventory levels of existing homes inched up slightly in November to a 5-month supply compared to a 4.9-month supply in October, NAR reports. But inventory levels are down from a 5.2-month supply last year.

The inventory of new homes for sale took a big fall, to a 4.9-month supply in November compared to a 6.4-month supply in October, the Census bureau and HUD report.

“Although the housing market has largely recovered, there are still home owners struggling, and it is key that we continue to help them,” says Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Tim Bowler.

Housing affordability remains above historical norms. With increases in home prices and mortgage interest rates, housing affordability has been slipping but is still above its historical norm.
The NAR Housing Affordability Index has declined to 164.3 as of September 2013 from its peak of 213.6 in January 2013. The index’s historical norm is 135 (data from1989). (A value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify.)

As per many analyst prediction and my experience, housing will continues to get stronger next year if the economy is healthy. Home prices might find a saturation point by end of next year depending on demand which depends many parameters like jobs, mortgage rates etc., If the economy grows and mortgage rates increase, there is high possibility of another roller coaster sales month with high and low sales and home prices.

Let’s hope for a much stronger year than 2013!!

About Vijaianand Thirnageswaram

I am a Proud Realtor of Texas, trying to guide and help clients to find their dream home and educate them to buy them for right price. I am also a Candidate for CFP who has more financial knowledge which allows me share and educate clients in any financial decision making process.

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