Figures show 1.8% percent drop in September home sales
The pending home sales dropped 1.8 percent in September this year, raising concerns that this could be the effect of the crisis overshadowing the market.
Home sales rate in September showed a decline after two months of steady gains,
with fewer people affixing their signatures on sales contracts. The dip in the number of people buying homes could be the effect of the disruptions caused by foreclosure moratoriums across US states.
Except for the West, the drop in foreclosures sale reflect the housing sales activity in almost all regions of the country.
The decline is seen to be one of the effects of the crisis plaguing the market and could be another setback for an industry still making efforts to rise out of the economic recession.
Analysts say that the foreclosure moratorium may have disrupted the market and could have contributed to the drop in foreclosures sales. The moratorium came in the wake of allegations over paperwork irregularities that expedited thousands of foreclosures.
Realtors say that they have expected a backlash from the moratorium, which could impact the sales performance of the housing market over the next few months. But a possible market turnaround could be glimpsed ahead once the crisis fog hovering the market clears up and the demand for foreclosures could once again reach high levels. Analysts, however, believed that the housing market still needs some perking up.
Meanwhile, the Feds are looking into a possible additional infusion of $600 billion to aid the banking system in its efforts to cut interest rates and generate financial activities in the sector. But economists say that this may not be sufficient to awaken the whole industry.
The current index of home sales rate shows a gap on the average of one to two months between the starting and closing of a home sales transaction.Figures relating to home sales had experience significant drops since the financial crisis. The economic recession also cause these figures to further decline with sharp falls in sales transactions.
Compared to last year, when buyers taking advantage homebuyers tax credit were in a rush to shop for homes, this year’s index is 25 percent below last year’s 107.8 percent level. The sales momentarily experienced a boost early this year when Congress decided to extend the credit deadline, but again fell when the same had passed.
