Nationally, pending home sales inch up 0.2 percent in November

​​​WASHINGTON – Pending home sales were mostly unmoved in November, but they did squeak out a minor gain both on a monthly and annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

This year, NAR forecasts a slowdown in existing-home sales and price growth, primarily because of the altered tax benefits of homeownership affecting some high-cost areas.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 0.2 percent to 109.5 in November from 109.3 in October. With that modest increase, the index remains at its highest reading since June (110.0), and is now 0.8 percent above a year ago.​