The Federal Housing Finance Agency said US single-family house prices fell 0.1%
MoM in April after a revised 0.2% rise in March. Prices were up 2.0% YoY through
April versus 1.8% in March. Freddie Mac data show the average 30-year fixed
mortgage rate has risen about 50 bps since the late-February Middle East
conflict, averaging 6.49% last week; FHFA said the monthly dip may reflect
softer demand as oil-driven inflation and mortgage rates climbed. Nationwide
housing supply remains tight, especially entry-level homes for first-time
buyers, with the National Association of Home Builders estimating a shortfall of
roughly 1.2 mln units. FHFA said prices are unlikely to fall sharply.