Early Trends Indicate Fewer Sales but Still Rising Prices

Early Trends Indicate Fewer Sales but Still Rising Prices: Based on limited reports, it appears buyers still outnumber sellers even as the number of each declines. In early virus hot-spot Seattle, listings still have bidding wars.

Lenders Holding Capital, Approving Fewer Mortgage Loans

Lenders Holding Capital, Approving Fewer Mortgage Loans: Banks that fear the unknown post-pandemic are trying to retain capital and, as a result, tightening loan standards by raising minimum credit scores and down payments. JP Morgan Chase, for example, now requires a 20% down payment and minimum credit score of 700.