“Even with mortgage rates modestly rising despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut the short-term interbank lending rate in September, continuous job additions and more housing inventory are bringing more consumers to the market,” he said in a statement.

Pending home sales increased 2.0% in October. All four major U.S. regions experienced month-over-month gains in transactions, with the Northeast leading the way. https://t.co/kQaa3wnYRP

— National Association of REALTORS® (@nardotrealtor) November 27, 2024

While supply across the country is now at a four-year high, it remains well below the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. First American deputy chief economist Odeta Kushi said the inventory uptick had helped buyers but pointed to further hurdles ahead for the US mortgage market.

“Mortgage applications – another leading indicator of sales activity – suggest that the housing market’s challenges remain,” she wrote. “So far in November, mortgage applications have ticked modestly lower as rates climbed even higher. While increased inventory provides buyers with more options, the reality remains – you can’t buy what you can’t afford.”

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