Today’s existing home sales report was down another 4.9% to an annual rate of 4.82 million units, the lowest in nearly a year. And this, remember, is in the sixth year of a recovery with reported unemployment below 6% and the Fed preparing to raise interest rates to head off incipient overheating.

Mortgage rates can’t be the problem, since they’re down lately to less than 4% on a 30-year fixed loan. That’s amazingly cheap, especially to people of a certain age who remember when 7% was a really good deal. In normal times a rate this low would set off a buying frenzy. This year it can’t even keep demand steady.

The real problem has nothing to do with housing per se and everything to do with that fraudulently false unemployment number. The truth of the labor market is that 1) most of the new jobs being created are either part-time or low-wage or both and therefore can’t support a mortgage, and 2) most of the improvement in unemployment comes from people dropping out of the workfore and no longer being counted as unemployed. These people also generally can’t get or don’t want mortgages. Meanwhile, the relative handful of Americans who do qualify for loans seem to be choosing cars and college degrees over houses.

And the US, remember, is the global success story. We monetized our debt first and fastest and are now reaping the rewards. But with the rest of the world flat-lining or worse (result: falling profits for US multinationals), the oil sector contracting (result: layoffs in once-booming Texas and the Dakotas), and now housing a net negative with no recovery in sight (result: layoffs of highly-paid appraisers and mortgage bankers), the odds of the Fed raising rates anytime soon are becoming more and more remote.

Much more likely is the US joining the race to negative rates. Somewhere down there must be a mortgage rate (1%…-1%?) that gets us buying again.

By John Rubino

dollarcollapse.com

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Only logged in users are allowed to post comments. Register/ Log in

The Market Oracle is a FREE Financial Markets Forecasting & Analysis web-site.
(c) 2005-2024 MarketOracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd) - Market Oracle Ltd asserts copyright on all articles authored by our editorial team and all comments posted. Any and all information provided within the web-site, is for general information purposes only and Market Oracle Ltd do not warrant the accuracy, timeliness or suitability of any information provided on this site. nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or any other advice or recommendation by us. and are also not meant to be investment advice or solicitation or recommendation to establish market positions. We do not give investment advice and our comments are an expression of opinion only and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as recommendations to enter into a market position either stock, option, futures contract, bonds, commodity or any other financial instrument at any time. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you make any investment or trading decisions. By using this site you agree to this sites Terms of Use. From time to time we promote or endorse certain products / services that we believe are worthy of your time and attention. In return for that endorsement and only in the cases where you purchase directly though us may we be compensated by the producers of those products.