Single-family housing starts fell 5.6% from December’s revised estimate to 1,116,000, while multifamily starts slid 2.1% to 510,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration increased to 3.93% from 3.86%, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. 

Days on market for homes sold in Atlanta fell to 52 from 64 a year earlier.

Home-price growth is expected to average about 5% this year, far below the record-breaking pace set in 2021, RCLCO reported. 

Sales volume by dollar amount fell precipitously, declining 37.4% from $2.59 billion worth of transactions in December to $1.62 billion in January, Georgia MLS reported, citing its monthly Housing Market Snapshot.

Builders started to make headway against supply-chain issues that have hampered construction of homes in the face of high demand. 

Atlanta’s housing inventory fell 22.3% year over year in December to a record low of a one-month supply, Atlanta REALTORS® Association reported.

“December saw sales retreat, but the pull back was more a sign of supply constraints than an indication of a weakened demand for housing.” — NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun

While multifamily starts surged 13.7% compared to November, the pace of new single-family housing construction slid 2.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“While lean existing home inventory and solid buyer demand are supporting the need for new construction, the combination of ongoing increases for building materials, worsening skilled labor shortages and higher mortgage rates point to declines for housing affordability in 2022.” — NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke

Decatur and the city of Atlanta saw the greatest monthly declines in the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in December, while Smyrna and Alpharetta had the greatest increases, online listing agent Zumper reported.

“MBA expects solid growth in purchase activity this year, as demographic drivers and the strong economy support housing demand,. However, the strength in growth will be dependent on housing inventory growing more rapidly to meet demand.” — Mortgage Bankers Association associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting Joel Kan

At the same time, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.33%, its highest level since April 2021, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Atlanta took seventh place, while Tampa, Fla., was ranked first.

Nationally, housing prices were also on the rise, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index. 

The year ended with days on market falling to 49 from 61, while sales of existing homes plunged on an annual basis.