Low Long-Term Interest Rates Helping Stabilize Housing Market

Mortgage News from Quicken Loans

Sales of U.S. existing homes in September were down 1.9 percent as compared to August, the National Association of Realtors said today. It was the sixth month in a row sales dropped, but also the second straight month inventories of unsold homes fell, showing signs that the housing market is stabilizing.

"We saw a significant drop in long-term interest rates in September, which attracted more buyers and helped stabilize the housing market," says Quicken Loans Chief Economist Bob Walters. "Although these rates have since ticked up some, they remain near the lows for the year, and short-term rates have been less volatile the past three months, giving housing the momentum it needs to have another robust year."

This article is reprinted by permission from Quicken Loans © 2006 Quicken Loans Inc. All rights reserved.