As shocking as it may seem with all the crazy things that have happened in 2026 — AI labor disruption headlines, epic snowstorms and especially the Iran conflict — housing demand, even last week, still showed year-over-year growth with mortgage purchase applications data and our weekly pending home sales. However, that growth has slowed and […]
Housing demand holds up despite mortgage rates at yearly highs Read More »
Despite higher oil and gas prices, higher mortgage rates and no indication that the conflict in Iran is ending, existing home sales still posted another positive week. However, with every week that goes by with mortgage rates above 6.25% and heading higher, it gets harder to maintain that growth, and housing data in the past
Housing demand still growing as mortgage rates reach inflection point Read More »
Ashley Thomas III has assumed the presidency of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) — the nation’s oldest and largest Black real estate organization — with an agenda focused on expanding homeownership access. Thomas, a housing policy and wealth equity strategist with more than 25 years of experience across real estate, lending and
NAREB president calls for ‘optimistic underwriting’ to expand homeownership Read More »
With mortgage rates expected to hover near current levels for much of 2026, lenders shouldn’t count on rate drops to drive originations growth — and a panel of leading economists at Intercontinental Exchange’s ICE Experience conference in Las Vegas this week made clear where volume will actually come from. Processing Content “We’re essentially back in
Forget rate drops — here’s where mortgage volume will come from Read More »
Pending sales of US existing homes unexpectedly rose in February for the first time in three months as buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates and slower price growth. Processing Content An index of contract signings climbed 1.8%, according to National Association of Realtors data released Tuesday. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg
Pending home sales climbed in February as mortgage rates fell Read More »
Lower mortgage rates and less volatility have been one of the key positive stories in 2026 for the housing market. Until last week, rates were under 6.25% all year and we didn’t see much volatility, which is a key variable for a healthy housing market. However, a lot of that changed last week as the
Housing demand still positive, but for how long with rising rates? Read More »
New Western released a new report examining the role of real estate investors in supplying entry-level housing. It found that small investors added far more homes in the starter-home price range than homebuilders in 2025. The company’s 2026 Flip Side Report on residential real estate investing trends said independent investors delivered 120,193 homes in the
Local investors outpace builders in delivering starter homes Read More »
New US residential construction improved for a third straight month to the fastest pace in nearly a year, boosted by multifamily projects. Processing Content Housing starts increased 7.2% to an annual pace of 1.49 million homes in January, according to government figures out Thursday. The pace of home starts was above all estimates in
Housing starts unexpectedly climb on multifamily projects Read More »
Sales of previously owned US homes unexpectedly rose in February and the prior month was revised up, helped by a decline in mortgage rates and modest growth in asking prices. Processing Content Contract closings increased 1.7% to a 4.09 million annualized rate, according to National Association of Realtors data released Tuesday. The pace exceeded nearly
Existing-home sales increase as affordability improves Read More »
In the crazy world of economics, with all the drama last week, it was a pretty normal housing week. Housing data showed year-over-year growth, weekly pending home sales rose, inventory declined slightly and mortgage rates were very steady, considering the conflict with Iran. Let’s take a look at probably the calmest sector in the economy
Housing demand is up and inventory is down, even with Iran conflict Read More »