Signed sales contracts on existing homes dropped 7.7% in April compared to March, the slowest pace since April 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. These so-called pending sales are a forward-looking indicator of closed sales one to two months later. Pending sales were 7.4% lower than in April of last year. Sales were expected to be flat compared to March. Since the count is based on signed contracts, it shows how buyers are reacting to mortgage rates in real time. The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage ended March at around 6.9% and then took off, hitting 7.5% by the end of April, according to Mortgage News Daily. With home prices still climbing and supply very low, leading to increased competition, that jump in rates had a huge effect on sales. “The impact of escalating interest rates throughout April dampened home buying, even with more inventory in…
