The supply of affordable homes on the market rose a record 13% in the third quarter as mortgage forbearance programs ended, prompting low-cost homeowners to put their properties on the market.

As the economy slowly recovers from the throes of COVID-19, home inventory in Western Washington has begun to slowly regenerate and sales are increasing. Despite this, the market still favors home sellers, according to a report by Matthew Gardner, Windermere Real Estate’s chief economist.

“Mortgage rates decreased for the first time since August, as concerns about supply-chain bottlenecks, waning consumer confidence, weaker economic growth and rising inflation pushed Treasury yields lower.” — MBA associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting Joel Kan

Rental prices are surging to an all-time high after dropping considerably in 2020 due to the pandemic. In September, median rents in the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. jumped 13.6% compared to the same month last year,

Millennials are purchasing houses — finally. Over the past year, millennials made up the largest share of homebuyers: 37% according to Barron’s.

Boston and Raleigh had the highest bidding-war rates, as the rate fell to a 2021 low.

“Contract transactions slowed a bit in September and are showing signs of a calmer home price trend, as the market is running comfortably ahead of pre-pandemic activity.” — NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun

Home-price gains were once again broadly distributed, as all 20 cities in the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index rose, although in most cases at a slower rate than a month ago.

At the same time, the increase in interest rates drove fewer borrowers to refinance their loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A new report shows that Seattle is leading the nation in showings to prospective home buyers, even as the cooler late fall and winter seasons approach.  Seattle recorded an average of 14 showings per listing in September, followed closely

The month also saw a slight shift in inventory, even though shortages continued.

“There simply aren’t enough homes for sale relative to the demand fueled by millennials armed with low mortgage rate-driven house-buying power.” — First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi

The median existing-home price for all housing types in September was $352,800, up 13.3% on an annual basis, as every region in the country registered price increases.

The decrease was driven by a 5.1% month-over-month slide in the rate of multifamily starts, while single-family construction was flat.

Lack of inventory continues to restrict home sales as fewer homes sold in September, and closed home sales dropped.

Days on market rose 7.1% from August, and the median price of houses sold slid 1.8% to $638,000, according to RE/MAX’s National Housing Report.