Homeownership rate in the US rises as buyer competition cools

[BOSTON] The homeownership rate in the US increased in the third quarter, a sign that first-time buyers may be seeing the cooldown in housing as a buying opportunity.

The share was 64.4 per cent, according to a Census Bureau report Tuesday. It was up from 64.3 per cent in the previous three months and 63.9 per cent a year earlier.

The fevered price gains of the past six years are slowing, meaning more buyers can take their time to find the best deal without the pressure of bidding wars. The recent jump in mortgage rates has also taken the edge off demand. With such a large population of Americans under 45, the homeownership rate can still rise as more renters make their first purchase, said Tian Liu, chief economist at Genworth Mortgage Insurance, before the announcement.

"There is a benefit to potential first-time buyers in the market today: There is less competition for available homes," Mr Liu said in a phone interview. "Now, they may be able to afford - through slower home-price growth - a more desirable home than before."

BLOOMBERG