WASHINGTON: US home sales increased more than expected in November, hitting their highest level in nearly 11 years, the latest indication that housing was regaining momentum after almost stalling this year. The report on Wednesday from the National Association of Realtors also added to data ranging from the labour market to retail sales that have suggested the economy was ending 2017 on a strong note.
“The greater home sales will stoke the fires for stronger economic growth next year as consumers spend more to furnish their new homes with new appliances and furniture and all the decorations and trimmings,” said Chris Rupkey, chief economist MUFG in New York.
Existing home sales surged 5.6 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.81 million units last month amid continued recovery in areas in the South ravaged by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and solid gains in other parts of the country.
That was the highest level since December 2006 and marked the third straight monthly rise. Economists had forecast home sales rising only 0.9 per cent to a 5.52 million-unit rate in November.
Existing home sales make up about 90 per cent of US home sales. They rose 3.8 per cent on a year-on-year basis in November. Sales in the South, which accounts for almost half of the existing homes sales market, increased 8.3 per cent last month. Sales rose 6.7 per cent in the Northeast and jumped 8.4 per cent in the Midwest.
They, however, fell 2.3 per cent in the West, which has seen an acceleration in house price increases. While the housing market is expected to continue growing next year, there are concerns that a Republican overhaul of the US tax code could hurt sales at the high end of the market.
The biggest overhaul of the tax system in more than 30 years, which could be signed into law by President Donald Trump soon, will cap the deduction for mortgage interest at $750,000 in home loan value for residences bought from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2025.
The cap would revert to $1 million in loan value after December 31, 2025.
“We expect further increases in sales in 2018, although tax reform is likely to modestly reduce demand at the high end as well as to lower prices for high-priced homes,” said David Berson, chief economist at Nationwide in Columbus Ohio.
The report came on the heels of data this week showing home-builder confidence vaulting to a near 18½ year high in December and single-family home-building and permits rising in November to levels last seen in the third quarter of 2007.— Reuters
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