Pending Home Sales Inched Upward in October

Washington, DC, November 30, 2015—Pending home sales were mostly unchanged in October, but shifted marginally higher after two straight months of declines, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Gains in the Northeast and West were offset by declines in the Midwest and South.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, inched up 0.2% to 107.7 in October from an upwardly revised 107.5 in September and is now 3.9% above October 2014 (103.7).

The index has increased year over year for 14 consecutive months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says pending sales have plateaued this fall as buyers struggle to overcome a scant number of available homes for sale and prices that are rising too fast in some markets. "Contract signings in October made the most strides in the Northeast, which hasn't seen much of the drastic price appreciation and supply constraints that are occurring in other parts of the country," he said. "In the most competitive metro areas—particularly those in the South and West—affordability concerns remain heightened as low inventory continues to drive up prices."   

According to Yun, although contract activity has slightly trended downward since the spring, the ongoing strengthening of several local job markets continues to fuel the improved demand for buying that has now pushed existing sales above a 5 million sales pace for eight consecutive months.

"Areas that are heavily reliant on oil-related jobs are the exception and have already started to see some softness in sales because of declining energy prices," adds Yun.