Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group (ESR Group) announced in a report on Dec. 20 that home sales across the United States are expected to rise to 7.1 percent at the end of 2021, but will decline over the next two years as limited stock, combined with higher mortgage rates and inflation, will cool the housing market. The ESR Group upgraded its home sales growth projection for 2021 to 7.1 percent, citing an expected strong year-end surge in home buying—higher than the 5.3 percent projected previously. The increase is just below 2020’s 7.3 percent jump. However, the report forecasts a decline in home sales growth next year by 1.4 percent due to “limited listings and growing affordability constraints.” The group revised its full-year 2021 economic growth projection to 5.5 percent, up 0.7 percent from last month’s projection, due to stronger than anticipated consumer spending during the holiday season and inventory …