WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – In the United States, the number of home sales that have not yet been completed fell significantly more than expected in December. Sales fell 3.8 percent month-on-month, the National Association of Realtors (Nar) said on Thursday in Washington. Analysts had only expected a drop of 0.4 percent.
The reduced housing supply has left consumers with few options, commented Lawrence Yun, Nar’s chief economist. In addition, mortgage interest rates have recently risen steadily.
In November, the number had fallen by 2.3 percent. House sales that have not yet been completed are considered an indicator of the US housing market, as they reflect the situation at an early stage in the transaction process./jsl/la/he