A slight decline in mortgage rates in December and January contributed to an improvement in pending home sales for a second consecutive month, according to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors.

The Pending Home Sales Index – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – improved 8% in January. Year-over-year, pending transactions dropped by 24%.

The last time pending contracts registered an above 8% monthly increase was three months after the pandemic lockdown, when showings came to a standstill. In June 2020, pending home sales pace increased 17% compared to the previous month.

“Buyers responded to better affordability from falling mortgage rates in December and January,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

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