A Sudden, Positive Shift in Economic Indicators
“For the third sixth straight week, mortgage rates trended down, as new data indicates that inflationary pressures are receding. The combination of continued economic strength, lower inflation and lower mortgage rates should likely bring more potential homebuyers into the market.” Freddie Mac (FHLMC)
Stock and bond markets – which greatly impact household wealth, consumer confidence, and interest rates – were generally characterized by deep pessimism in October, but with significant changes in economic indicators such as inflation, and a continued pause in benchmark rate increases by the Fed, financial markets abruptly shifted to enthusiastic optimism in November. That translated into a dramatic plunge in mortgage rates, which has caused mortgage applications to increase over recent weeks.
Since the homebuying process usually takes 30 to 60 days, from loan qualification and making an offer to a closed sale, sales might see a bounce in December, or – since the mid-winter holiday period typically sees the annual low point in new-listing (and thus sales) activity – more likely in early 2024 (subject to these positive trends continuing).
In January 2023, buyer demand saw a substantial rebound due to a similar drop in interest rates in late 2022.
Click the links below to access monthly market updates by Bay Area region.
- National Market Report
- Bay Area Home Price Maps
- San Francisco
- San Mateo County
- Santa Clara County
- Stanford Circle Cities
- Marin County
- Sonoma County
- Napa County
- Oakland-Berkeley Inner East Bay
- Tri-Valley, South Alameda County
- Diablo Valley
- Lamorinda
- North Contra Costa County
- Santa Cruz County
- Monterey County
- Sacramento County
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- Lake Tahoe Market:
- San Francisco, 2-4 Unit Buildings
- San Francisco, 5+ Unit Apartment Buildings
- Bay Area Market Cycles since 1990
- Macroeconomic Factors
