The real estate data for March 2023 had a significant impact on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in April. Let's explore how specific factors influenced MBS:

While the past year-and-a-half took its toll on the real estate market, the latest news offered a glimmer of hope as data saw existing home sales rise. Despite 2021’s massive surge in real estate sales, 2022 generated a lackluster environment. Although the most recent data reflected an increase in home sales, housing inventory still presents an ongoing challenge. That said, the market took a step in the right direction.

Over the last year, the real estate market fell into a bit of a slump, home builder confidence included. However, as we turn the corner to spring, confidence levels begin to climb once again.

Overall, the December 2022 real estate scene leaves much to be desired as the year comes to a close. Despite dropping over the last few weeks, higher mortgage rates continue to heavily impact mortgage application volumes. Currently, mortgage application volumes remain near the lowest levels in 25 years. According to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), purchase applications plummeted 40% from last year at this time. Furthermore, refinance applications plunged a shocking 86% from one year ago. To date, the average loan size for homebuyer applications fell to $387,300, the lowest level since January 2021.

As mortgage rates to 20-year highs, home builder sentiment declined for the tenth month in a row. Similarly existing home sales fell for the eighth straight month. Further complicating the real estate market, housing inventory presents an ongoing barrier to prospective home sales activity. Despite the longstanding challenge, new construction remains slow.

Throughout September, the latest August home sales data reflected a strong sensitivity to mortgage rates. When rates experienced a short-lived dip in August, home sales reacted with a sudden jolt of activity. However, September 2022 closed out with mortgage rates hitting their highest levels since 2007. Thus, the real estate will be sure to compensate with the next round of real estate reporting.

As mortgage rates continued to rise in August 2022, the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium took place. For the unacquainted, the Federal Reserve hosts this annual three-day conference, discussing the country’s economic challenges and overall direction.Unfortunately, this latest event came as the United States real estate market heads for a downturn. In the face of rising mortgage rates, limited housing inventory, and sluggish new construction, housing challenges persist.

Heading into the July 2022 real estate market, the United States continues to face timeless obstacles. As the latest inflation data shows year-over-year growth, the white-hot U.S. real estate market displays signs of stalling.

Despite 2021 reflecting a surge in home sales activity, sales of existing homes just achieved their fifth month in a row of declining statistics. As a matter of fact, sales of existing homes fell to their lowest point since June 2020.

With the June 2022 real estate market, housing affordability continued its affordability crisis for potential home buyers. However, New Home Sales offer a beacon of hope with a notable gain.

May 2022 highlighted numerous real estate market challenges facing prospective home buyers. Now, the data directly supports the drop-off in activity.

Throughout 2021, the United States real estate market experienced a massive resurgence, however, total mortgage originations are now plummeting this year.

With the release of last month’s real estate market report, housing inventory fell to a new record-low level. Meanwhile, both existing and new home sales disappointed as prices jumped higher. As the United States first experienced the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the housing market suffered. One year later, the United States surged through an unprecedented economic rebound. In the wake of the rebound, 2021’s real estate market performed very well. In fact, 2021 saw the United States reach its best year in home sales since 2006.

However, housing is a game of give and take. And now, the market is facing another slowdown. With mortgage rates exceeding 5%, loan applications declined considerably. In addition, existing home inventory fell to a record-low level in March. Because of this, prospective home buyers face tougher competition for fewer properties.

As previously mentioned, 2021 marked one of the best years for real estate in recent memory. After the coronavirus pandemic stifled home sales throughout the country, the real estate market rebounded at a quicker pace than anticipated. However, the real estate market still deals with longstanding housing inventory challenges. In addition, rising home prices and mortgage rates produce a barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers.

After a strong performance towards the end of 2021, existing home sales experienced an unanticipated decline in December. Thus, home sales fell 5% from November to December 2021. However, the United States real estate market realized a massive 8.5% improvement over 2020. In doing so, existing home sales achieved their best year since 2006.

In the United States housing sector, home buyers face strong barriers heading into 2022. While December 2021 saw major FHFA changes, housing starts and home sales remain competitive.

The end of the year saw housing starts fall short of expectations. Meanwhile, consumer spending skyrocketed heading into the holiday season. After November surpassed October’s 30-year inflation high, the Fed planned to expedite its timeline for tapering bond purchasing. Finally, analysts expect to see plenty of volatility in mortgage markets towards the end of December as trading activity normally declines.

As the holiday season approaches, investors saw new home sales jump. Additionally, home values rose this year. Many factors play a role in the increase, particularly limited inventory and inflation. Currently, investors worry about future economic growth. This past month, the United States witnessed record-high inflation, supply chain struggles, and job growth struggles.

With COVID numbers growing but unemployment aid ending, it’s possibly very unstable for the economy as experts continue to monitor the ever-changing situations across the country concerning inflation, job growth, and the housing markets.

Housing and employment pulled pulled off a remarkable rebound after a tumultuous 2020. Last year, both sectors saw numerous setbacks as homes sat idle on the market while businesses laid off hundreds of thousands of workers. Taking a look at July’s data, we see that 2021 is singing a different tune.