Headlines

A late-month measure of consumer confidence shows sentiment rebounded to a near post-recession high in April, though questions remain as to whether or not that optimism will hold out. The latest Index of Consumer Sentiment, released jointly by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan, came to a final reading of 84.1 for April, resting one index point below its post-recession peak recorded last July.

Freddie Mac’s mortgage portfolio has declined in each of the first three months of this year with the fastest annualized decline in March, according to the GSE’s latest monthly volume summary. Freddie’s mortgage portfolio declined at an annualized rate of 2.9 percent in March. The last time the GSE’s portfolio grew was in December, when it demonstrated an annualized growth rate of 0.4 percent.

Black Knight Financial Services released its Home Price Index (HPI), noting that home prices in the U.S. rose 0.7 percent for the month of February to an average of $233,000. Black Knight's report falls between last week's FHFA House Price Index and the S&P Case-Shiller index(slated for release Tuesday), offering a more well-rounded view of market trends for the spring and upcoming summer months.

Out of a poll of more than 2,000 homeowners, Redfin found an even 25 percent would not buy their current home if they had a chance to do it over. Most of the dissatisfaction came from younger people and stemmed from their relationship with the real estate agent, suggesting a generational divide. Not surprisingly, the group with the least buyer’s remorse were those over 65.

In Pennsylvania, LoanLogics, a loan quality management and performance analytics firm, announced two promotions within the company and a new addition to its team: Matt Woolley has moved up to SVP of national sales, Terrell Cassada has been named chief information officer, and Terese L. Campbell has joined as SVP for product management.

Following months of stagnancy, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) measure of pending home sales rose in March, the group reported. According to the latest release, NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) rose to 97.4 last month, up 3.4 percent from February’s upwardly revised 94.2. It was the first real pickup in the last nine months, the association said. NAR’s chief economist said the increase was expected with the end of last season’s severe weather.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced last week the latest in a string of settlements with major banks over residential mortgage-backed securities sold to Fannie and Freddie before the economic meltdown. The most recent agreement, struck with Barclays Bank, calls for $280 million in payments to the GSEs.

While strict lending standards may be precluding some from the housing market, one economist insists banks want to lend. It is lackluster employment and slow household formation among Millennials that is hindering the market now, according to Maury Harris, managing director and chief U.S. economist at UBS during a discussion hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “Banks have over $2 trillion of excess reserves,” Harris said. “Banks would like to put that money to work and increase lending, which would help the economy.”

According to the Warren Group, statewide sales dropped 7.8 percent to 2,749 in March, down from 2,980 from the previous year. Home sales in the first quarter were down overall 2.4 percent to 7,557 from 7,745 in last year's first quarter. Timothy J. Warren Jr., CEO of the Warren Group, said, “The low inventory of single-family homes in the market is the primary cause of the decreasing sales activity. Motivated buyers, however, are eagerly bidding for the limited supply which accounts for the increasing sales prices. People want to buy homes before prices and interest rates rise further.”

The number of markets around the nation that have seen home values recover fully rose by six in February, according to data from Homes.com. “February’s rebound progress illustrates how home prices in most markets across the country are appreciating, even in the depths of winter,” said Brock MacLean, EVP for Homes.com. “This is unusual given harsh weather conditions in most markets, but a positive sign as we enter peak season.”