housing affordability index

Developed by the National Association of REALTORS® to track the financial ability of consumers to buy homes.Many state organizations publish similar indices for their local markets.The benchmark is 100,sometimes expressed as 1.0.It means that a family earning the median income has exactly enough money to qualify for a mortgage to buy a median-priced home in that market.It assumes a 20 percent down payment,and that mortgage payments will not exceed 25 percent of income.A figure less than 100,or less than 1.0,means that the median income family cannot afford the median house. A greater figure means the median income family can afford a home more expensive than the median home.When a trend line is declining,it indicates that housing is becoming less affordable. Upwardly trending numbers mean housing is becoming more affordable. National figures may be obtained by going to the National Association of REALTORS® Web site, www.realtor.org, and clicking on Research, then Housing Statistics, and then Housing Affordability Index.

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Table 1: National housing outlook History Forecast 2015 2016 2017 2018 Home sales (thousands) Existing home sales 5,250 5,450 5,437 5,810 New single-family sales 501 561 598 700 Home sales (% change year ago) Existing home sales 6.3% 3.8% -0.2% 6.9% New single-family sales 14.6% 12.0% 6.6% 17.1% Median home prices ($ thousands) Existing home sales $222.4 $233.8 $247.2 $258.6 New single-family sales $296.4 $316.2 $315.4 $327 Median home prices (% change year ago) Existing home sales 6.8% 5.1% 5.7% 4.6% New single-family sales 4.8% 6.7% -0.3% 3.7% Affordability Housing affordability 165.7 164.8 162.1 149.9 index (*) (*) The housing affordability index measures the ability of a family earning the median income to purchase a median-priced home.

Housing: Positive outlook for 2018

In a release for its Housing Affordability Index for the second quarter, the company said 18% of U.S.

Home Affordability Declines: RealtyTrac

RIGA -- Housing affordability in the capital cities of all three Baltic States improved in the fourth quarter of 2015, according to the latest Swedbank Baltic Housing Affordability Index (HAI).

Housing affordability in Baltics improves in Q4 2015--Swedbank

These trends in housing affordability can be measured more precisely by constructing a Housing Affordability Index (HAI).

Home affordability in Montana: an issue once again?

Wichita Falls is the most affordable area of the state, according to a Texas housing affordability index produced by Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center.

In Texas, Minorities Less Likely to Own Homes

of Realtors Cost of Living Mean HH Wealth and Housing Affordability Housing Affordability Index Chicago 190 Denver 135 D.C 147 Boise 189 Colorado Springs 167 San Francisco 70 Boulder 127 Higher Housing Affordability Indices mean greater affordability Source: BLS American Community Survey; National Assoc.

No sleeping giant: diverse investments paying off in Colorado Springs

The group used a variety of factors to hold small cities for evaluation including average lawyer salary, housing affordability index (average percentage of income spent on housing), amenities (including arts, entertainment and recreation), and employment attractiveness rank (a combination of law job density, availability and competition).

Research looks at best small and big cities for new lawyers in U.S

The RBC Housing Affordability index, compiled since 1985, looks at the calculated costs of owning a detached bungalow at the present market value.

Canada's Calgary Housing Market Buoyant Despite Concerns Over Falling Oil Prices

The NAR's Housing Affordability Index was 175.7 in February 2014.

Households debt inches higher

They also acknowledge the impact of 'systemic indicators' (e.g., the Commonwealth Bank/HIA Housing Affordability Index), which seek to determine the overall health of the sector and the influence of well-organised lobby groups in shaping the policy agenda; many of whom view the problem of housing differently and often seek to present their interests as synonymous with those of the general public (Burke & Tiernan 2002: 22, 14).

Perpetuating the problem: neoliberalism, commonwealth public policy and housing affordability in Australia

According to the California Association of REALTORS[R] (C.A.R.) First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) is at an all time high.

Delgado Realty Group Continues Helping HomeBuyers with DownPayment Assistance

This month's Home Value Forecast shows that Sacramento's housing affordability index is at its highest level in years."