美国购房可负担性有所改善 但首付仍是最大难题

Core Insights - The current housing affordability for American buyers has improved due to lower mortgage rates, stabilized home prices, and an increase in available housing inventory [1][3][6] Group 1: Housing Market Trends - National home prices in the U.S. are approximately flat compared to the same period last year, with a slight increase of 0.3% [1][4] - The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index indicates significant variation in price changes across major metropolitan areas, with Chicago, New York, and Cleveland seeing the largest increases, while cities like Tampa, Phoenix, and Dallas experienced notable declines [4][5] - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently at 6.19%, down from over 7% at the beginning of the year, leading to substantial savings for buyers [2][5] Group 2: Buyer Behavior and Challenges - Buyers are responding positively to the market changes, as evidenced by an increase in the Pending Home Sales Index, which rose 3.3% month-over-month and 2.6% year-over-year, reaching its highest level in nearly three years [3][6] - Despite improvements in affordability, the challenge of saving for a down payment remains significant, with the average buyer needing about 7 years to save enough, which is still double the pre-pandemic level [2][5] - The homeownership rate in the U.S. has dropped to 65%, the lowest since 2019, indicating ongoing barriers to entry for potential homeowners [2][5] Group 3: Market Supply Dynamics - The number of active listings has increased by approximately 12% compared to last year, although it remains 6% lower than pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a gradual recovery in housing supply [2][5]