Pending home sales drop in September

The last time the index hit a healthy reading — considered 100 — was April 2010, the final month in which buyers could qualify for a federal home-buyer tax credit that has since expired.

Contract signings provide insight into the sector’s direction, with a delay of a couple of months or so between signing and closing. 

Historically low mortgage rates — around 4 percent — haven’t provided the market with a much-needed boost, as nearly 25 percent of homeowners owe more than their homes are worth, lenders are requiring higher down payments and contracts are being canceled because houses are being appraised at less than their sales amounts. 

Yun also emphasized the need to reinstate higher loan limits in 42 states. 

“Just leaving excessive cash to sit in banks and not work into the economy is a drag on the overall recovery,” he said. “We need a comprehensive approach to address housing issues — not additional impediments.”