Home prices

Several Sun Belt cities popular for relocation over the last two years were among markets with the most reduced listing prices in April.

A measure of home prices in 20 U.S. cities jumped 18.3%, down from 18.5% in October, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index showed Tuesday. It marked the fourth straight month that home-price appreciation has cooled off ever so slightly.

The share of borrowers who thought it was a good time to buy hit an all-time low, according to Fannie Mae.

The home price increases and the ongoing inventory shortage made buying conditions difficult and many think it’s only getting more challenging, according to RealtyTrac.

Southwestern housing markets had the largest annual changes in median monthly home loan payments, with one increasing more than 30%, according to Redfin.

Meanwhile, property values across the U.S. have increased for 40 quarters in a row, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

But average loan sizes remain near record highs, with summer purchases of new constructions continuing to drive up prices.

Tight inventory and heightened competition kept prime purchasers at bay as property values continued their summer surge, according to Fannie Mae.

Concerns about foreclosure and a crowded market led to an increase in listings at lower price points in the second quarter.

Soaring home prices and the abundance of all-cash offers that the deep-pocketed can afford makes home buying even harder for the average borrower, according to a Redfin report.