Home buyers have a lot to consider. They have to think about the size and location of the house they’ll buy, how much storage it’ll have, the school district, how many bathrooms, the kitchen, mechanical systems, the roof, the neighborhood, etc. It’s a lot. But, if that weren’t enough, it’s also important to consider market conditions and what the financial side of buying looks like. So what can buyers expect to find when shopping for a house in 2020? Well, according to a new forecast from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, there’s good news and bad. More new homes, low mortgage rates, and slower price appreciation are all encouraging signs for hopeful home buyers. Add to that easier access to credit and it sounds like a good time to buy. However, challenges will remain. For example, low inventory remains a big issue for the housing market and, in areas where there are more buyers than homes for sale, it may take longer to find a home. This is especially true for first-time buyers. New home construction has largely been limited to higher-end homes, which means affordable homes in entry-level price ranges may be harder to come by. More here.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were mostly flat last week from the week before. Only rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans with jumbo balances and loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration saw much movement, with each seeing slight increases. Despite flat rates, however,the refinance index fell 16 percent and brought overall demand down. Purchase activity, on the other hand, saw a 1 percent increase. Joel Kan, MBA’s associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting, said the purchase market looks healthy as the year comes to a close. “The purchase market overall looks healthy as we enter the home stretch of 2019,” Kan said. “The seasonally adjusted purchase index was at its highest level since July, as a combination of wage gains, slower home-price appreciation, and slightly easing inventory conditions continue to support increased activity.” The MBA’s weekly survey has been conducted since 1990 and covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. More here.

With the job market strong, mortgage rates low, and buyer demand up, the housing market seems ready for a boom. But because there’s been fewer homes for sale than normal, it hasn’t happened. Now, according to a new forecast from the National Association of Realtors, things may be starting to change. That’s because, the number of single-family homes expected to be built next year should total 1 million, which is the highest number since 2007. And, with more new homes being built and put on the market, buyers will have more choices, affordability will improve, and sales will increase. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says inventory has been the primary factor holding housing back. “All the factors that contribute to higher home sales like the job situation are terrific, and of course mortgage rates are critical to buying a home and those are favorable,” Yun said. “All the factors are lined up in a way that means we should be having gangbuster home sales.” Skyrocketing home sales could be just around the corner, though, if new home construction increases as expected. More here.

Though spring and summer are the housing market’s busiest time, winter may be the best time for buyers. In fact, according to a new analysis from ATTOM Data Solutions, winter buyers have the best chance of buying a home at a price below its estimated market value. The analysis found that December is the best month for buyers and the day after Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the days offering the biggest discounts. Todd Teta, chief product officer with ATTOM, says buyers willing to make a deal during the busy holiday season will be financially rewarded. “Closing on a home purchase the day after Christmas or on New Year’s Eve can be one of the most financially beneficial holiday-season gifts you can get,” Teta said. “While lots of folks are shopping the day-after Christmas sales or getting ready to ring in the New Year, our data shows that buyers and investors are buying homes on those days at a discount. That’s a far cry from buying during June, when they are likely paying about a 7 percent premium.” By comparison, December buyers pay about a 1.2 percent premium. More here.

After a contract to buy a home is signed, that home’s sale is considered pending until closing. This period usually last several weeks, while the home and its sale goes through all the necessary steps to confirm, verify, and ensure every part of the transaction. Because of that weeks-long gap between contract signings and closings, tracking the number of signings is a fairly accurate way to forecasting what upcoming sales reports will show. After all, since most contract signings end up as final sales, increasing sales numbers typically follow increasing signings. That’s why the National Association of Realtors measures them monthly with their Pending Home Sales report. According to their most recent release, October saw a month-over-month decline but, overall, signings are up over last year’s numbers. In fact, contract signings were 4.4 percent higher than year before levels. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says there are plenty of buyers right now but still not enough homes for sale. “We still need to address and, more importantly, correct inadequate levels of inventory across the country,” Yun said. “There is no shortage of buyers seeking homes, but a lack of available units continues to drag down the nation’s housing market and overall economy.” As inventory levels rise and offer buyers more choices, sales will likely follow. More here.