UPDATE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 – Most importantly, Happy 50th Birthday to my Step-Daughter. You know you are old when your kid turns 50! Ouch.

I saw a statistic today that about 9% of households move each year. This is down from 20% per year in the 1960s. So, we have over a 50% decline in moving and over a 75% decline in population growth from the 1980s. Wouldn’t those stats tell us that the supply of houses for sale should be much lower today than in the past? I would guess that over 95% of existing and new home sales are people relocating. A small percentage might be second homes, kids leaving home and buying their first home (doubtful as most 18-year-olds don’t have the money to do such), etc.

I continue to be the lone voice that says we have an oversupply of housing. Not an undersupply. And definitely not an undersupply of 5-7 million homes as I have heard thrown around.

UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2, 2023 – The housing indicator that peaked in late 2021 and declined 38% while forecasting well ahead of time the market top has reversed directions. This indicator bottomed in October 2022 along with the stock market. It has now gone up 36% from its low. It remains 17% below its peak in late 2021. This is expected as it is unlikely the housing market will go to new highs anytime soon. However, the important factor is this indicator is forecasting a fairly strong rebound in the housing market this year. I haven’t seen anyone predict such to occur. As a side note, lumber futures are up 50% from their lows last year.

JANUARY 21, 2023 – The 30-year mortgage rate hit 6.15% this week. After some ups and downs over the past few months (as I had forecast to occur), the downturn has started again. We aren’t far from my original prediction of sub-6% rates.
Some other stats….Home sales are the lowest since 2010. I guess a low supply is fine when people aren’t buying homes:) Sales have declined for 11 straight months – the longest streak since 1999. Excluding the pandemic, home permits are the lowest since 2016.
That’s all for now.
Shalom,
The Mann