NEAR-TERM HOME SALES TO HOLD IN MODEST RANGE

The housing market will  probably hold close to present levels in the months ahead, according to the latest foecast by the National Association of Realtors.

Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said he isn't looking for any notable changes in sales activiy. Existing-home sales should be relatively stable over the next few months, holding in a modest range, with some pent-up demand growing from buyers who have been on the sidelines, he said. Mortgage disruptions will hold back sales over the short term, but long term fundamentals are favorable. A modest upturn is projected for exisitng home sales toward the end of the year, with borader improvement to include the new home market by the middle of 2008. 

Existing home sales are foecast at 6.04 million in 2007 and 6.38 million next year, below the 6.48 million recorded in 2006.  New home sales are expected to total 852,00 this year and 848,000 in 2008, down from 1.05 million in 2006.  Housing starts, including multifamily units, are likley to total 1.43 million in 2007 and 1.40 million next year, below the 1.80 million  units started in 2006.

With the population growing the demand for homes isn't going away-it is just being delayed, Yun said. More buyers, and cutbacks in new construction, will eventually draw down the inventory levels and support future price appreciaton, but general gains will be modest next year. Serious buyers today have a long-term view of housing as an investment speculators have left the mark

Existing home prices should ease by 1.2 percent to a median of $219,300 in 2007 before rising 2.0 percent next year to $223,600. The median new home price will probably fall 2.3 percent to $240,800 in 2007, and then rise 2.3 percent next year to $246,300.

The 30 year fixed rate mortgage is forecast to average 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter and then ease to the 6.5 percent range next year.  

Growth in the U.S. gross domestic product is projected to be 1.9 percent this year, down from a 2.9 percent growth rate in 2006, GDP is expected to grow 2.8 percent next year.