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Housing Market and Economic News Update: September 20, 2024
Thompson Kane is dedicated to helping our community stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of the housing market and the economy. Let’s dive into the most recent developments:
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This Week’s Housing Market News
- Homebuilders’ Outlook: Homebuilders regained some optimism in September, as a dip in mortgage rates ended a four-month streak of declines in sentiment.
- Home-building Starts: August saw a rebound in housing starts after a notable drop in July, hitting the fastest building pace since April. Additionally, new construction permits saw an increase.
- Sales & Prices: Meanwhile, sales of existing homes in August fell more sharply than anticipated. Despite an increase in housing inventory, prices remained elevated.
This Week’s Economic Highlights
- Fed Interest Rate: The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a meaningful 0.50% this week, following an earlier drop in mortgage rates. Fed officials indicated that further rate adjustments could be on the horizon, depending on future economic data.
- Retail Sales: In a surprising development, retail sales posted gains in August, signaling steady consumer spending and suggesting the economy continues to show resilience.ย
- Jobs: Jobless claims dropped to their lowest levels since May last week, highlighting a strong labor market even as hiring momentum slows.