It’s a slight gain, but NAR’s chief economist says pending sales “remain at historically low levels.” Year-over-year, pending transactions were down 11%.

WASHINGTON – Pending home sales rose 1.1% in September, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Three of the four regions tracked – the Northeast, Midwest and South – posted monthly gains in transactions while the West saw a loss. Year-to-year, though, all four regions had transaction declines.
“Despite the slight gain, pending contracts remain at historically low levels due to the highest mortgage rates in 20 years,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Furthermore, inventory remains tight, which hinders sales but keeps home prices elevated.”
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – rose 1.1% to 72.6 in September. Year over year, pending transactions declined ...