Pending home sales rose to their highest level this February, and remain higher than a year ago according to the National Association of REALTORS?. Led by a sizeable increase in the Midwest, all major regions except for the Northeast saw an increase in contract activity.

Although the Pending Home Sales index, a forward-looing indication based on contract signings, has now increased year-over-year for 18 consecutive months, last month?s gain was the smallest.

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We see, of first-time homebuyers in 2019, 32% depended on inner circle for loans or gifts, according to the 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, an annual report from the National Association of Realtors.