Author: Josh Boak, Associated Press

Housing affordability remains an issue for many would-be buyers, but the market saw increased purchases in July.

Economists have estimated that the government will report that employers added 164,000 jobs in June, according to data provider FactSet.

Existing home sales surged 11.8 percent in Feb. as mortgage rates tumbled, reviving a sluggish market. Yet sales are still down vs a year ago.