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Posts from January 2019

Be Mindful as Media Sensationalizes Student Debt Impact on Housing

January 25, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

As of the latest reading from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $1.4 trillion of student debt was outstanding in 3Q18, up 6.3% year over year, outpacing the increase in total consumer debt for the 57th consecutive quarter. Said differently, ...

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Is Substantial Drop in Lumber Prices a Signal for Single-Family Housing?

January 11, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

According to Random Lengths, framing lumber prices in December were down 22% year over year and 41% from the monthly peak in June. Similarly, its structural panel composite index declined 14% year over year and stood 35% lower than the near-term ...

Why an Often-Cited Existing Home Price Measure is Probably Wrong

January 11, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

In its most recent monthly release for November 2018, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that the median price for existing home closings was $257,700, bringing the year-to-date figure to $257,500. With approximately 40% of ...

Industry Executives Quicker to Respond to Market Shifts than Economists

January 11, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

With total home closings estimated to have declined 2% in 2018, the first contraction since 2011, and inventory higher on a year-over-year basis for the first time since 2014, the home price appreciation outlook is coming under greater scrutiny ...

Key Factors Behind Packing Up and Moving Across the Country

January 11, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

Last week, United Van Lines, the largest moving company in the country, released its annual National Movers Survey, which provides insight into state-to-state moves. Although professional long-distance moves likely skew toward single-family ...