Western Pallet Magazine July 2019 | Page 12

EPA Diesel Fuel Update Updated July 15, 2019 Pending Home Sales Bounce Back 1.1% in May But Dip in the West Pending home sales increased in May, a positive variation from the minor sales dip seen in the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Three of the four major regions saw growth in contract activity, with the West experiencing a slight sales decline. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said lower-than- usual mortgage rates have led to the increase in pending sales for May. Yun said consumer confidence about home buying has risen, and he expects more activity in the coming months. The index in the Northeast rose 3.5% in May and is now 0.5% below a year ago. In the Midwest, the index grew 3.6% still 1.2% lower than May 2018. Pending home sales in the South inched up 0.1%, 0.7% higher than last May. The index in the West dropped 1.8% in May and decreased 3.1% below a year ago. 12 WESTERN PALLET