Some recent positive signs for home buyers and sellers:
- New-home sales rose 4.3 percent in November, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Housing starts increased 10.5 percent in November, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Home sales are poised to increase to the highest levels since 2006 this year, according to a 2016 housing forecast issued by Realtor.com.
- The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had decreased moderately in November, improved 3.9 points in December.
- Buying a home is still more affordable than renting in 58 percent of the nation’s real estate markets, according to a new RealtyTrac report.
