Washington, DC CNN —US home buyers have a new challenge in addition to mortgage rates above 7%: Prices are rising again, reversing five months of year-over-year declines, according to a National Association of Realtors report released Tuesday.
Prices rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South but were unchanged in the West in July, the NAR report found.
Current homeowners are refusing to sell and are hunkering down with their ultra-low mortgage rates that are at least half the current rates.
Sales of existing homes — which include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops — dropped below expectations and were down 2.2% from June to July.
“Two factors are driving current sales activity — inventory availability and mortgage rates,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.
Persons:
—, ”, Lawrence Yun, Freddie Mac, Melissa Cohn
Organizations:
DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, ”, William, Mortgage
Locations:
Washington, Northeast, Midwest, West