The housing market is “on a
sustained growth path,” according to the latest economic outlook by
Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group. The report shows "One of the key developments for the housing market last year was the
general consensus that home prices, on a national basis, bottomed
earlier in the year and continued to build momentum, exhibiting robust
year-over-year gains unseen since the housing boom."
Housing inventories are at the lowest since December 1994 and fewer
distressed homes have helped to lift home prices, according to Fannie
Mae economists.
Among some of Fannie Mae economists projections for this year:
Home prices: Fannie Mae economists predict that the
median price of existing homes will increase 2.3 percent on an annual
basis this year, reaching $181,000. The median price of a new home will
likely increase 1.6 percent to $248,000. For 2014, economists predict
that home prices will increase an extra 2.8 percent.
Home sales: Existing-home sales will likely rise 11.5 percent in 2013, and new-home sales will rise 12.5 percent, economists predict.
Mortgage rates: Rates will likely edge up slightly
this year with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages projected to average 3.8
percent this year and rise to 4.4 percent in 2014.
Source: “Fannie Mae: Housing is 'on a Sustained Growth Path
