Economy: Federal Efforts May Be Taking Hold

The housing stimulus package passed by the federal government earlier this year is working its way through the system.
By Lawrence Yun | May 2009

Are housing markets finally turning around? Existing-home sales increased 5.1 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million units. The rise seems sharp but comes off exceptionally soft activity in January, so we’re far from declaring victory. Yet several developments give us reason to hope for a sustainable upturn.



First, the housing stimulus package passed by the federal government earlier this year is working its way through the system. Among other things, it provides a first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000. From this incentive we estimate an additional 300,000 sales this year, plus additional sales as trade-up and trade-down buyers jump into the market. The package also restores high-cost conforming loan limits to $729,750, giving more people access to low mortgage rates.



When you combine these stimulus efforts with recent action by the Federal Reserve to increase its use of economic recovery funds to buy mortgage-backed securities, mortgage rates could stay at historically favorable levels for some time.



Affordability also is working for us. Housing affordability levels are at their most favorable mark since the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® first started tracking the data in 1971.



To be sure, some hurdles still exist. Underwriting standards are tough, creating a snag for many households that would like to buy. But those who qualify can lock in low rates and enjoy the upper hand in price negotiations.



It’s too soon to tell whether the upturn will last. The homebuying process takes several months, so we’ll need to wait until early summer before we know whether everything the federal government is doing is taking hold. But for now we have reason to hope for the best.