Only a handful of ZIP codes in the nation’s largest metros remain affordable for would-be homeowners. Movingplace found that just three of the 150 most populous ZIP codes had median home prices low enough to keep mortgage payments under 28% of income, a common benchmark for affordability. Conforming mortgage guidelines call for a 28% […]
New York has most expensive ZIPs for renters looking to buy Read More »
Embattled MV Realty has settled a lawsuit filed by Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador involving an agreement it promoted known as Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services or NTRAPS. These contracts, also known as “Homeowner Benefit Agreements,” lock a homeowner into a long-term arrangement to sell the property in exchange for a fee. This encumbrance
MV Realty settles NTRAPS cases in Idaho, New Jersey Read More »
A new report expects housing affordability to notably improve by the end of next year with income growth outgaining the average increase in home prices. First American’s September Real House Price Index anticipates that affordability will improve by 3% on a year-over-year basis by the end of 2026. “Affordability remains challenging, but for the first
Economist says income growth will boost home affordability Read More »
U.S. Federal Housing is boosting the conforming loan limits by 3.26% for 2026 based on the annual change in home prices using an expanded data set. The new limit of $832,750, is an increase of $26,250 from the 2025 limit of $806,500. The high-cost ceiling for one-unit properties will be $1,249,125, which is 150% of
U.S. Federal Housing raises 2026 conforming limits over 3% Read More »
Homesellers in the US are yanking listings off the market, as the nation’s real estate sector stagnates. Nearly 85,000 sellers removed their properties in September, the highest number for that month in eight years, according to Redfin. The number of stale listings — those sitting on the market for 60 days or more — jumped
US homesellers pull stale listings off market as interest fades Read More »
Foreign buyers and local investors continue to play a critical role in the U.S. housing market, pushing ahead with purchases and refinances despite rising costs, shifting politics, and slower returns. For mortgage lenders, these buyers represent a growing business opportunity. Investor ownership of residential real estate has long been a contentious topic, with some blaming
Today’s investor property loan opportunity for lenders Read More »
Sales of previously owned homes in the US rose in October to the fastest pace in eight months, as buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates and gained the upper hand over sellers in some markets. Contract closings climbed 1.2% to an annual rate of 4.1 million last month, according to National Association of Realtors
US existing-home sales rose to eight-month high in October Read More »
High prices, tight affordability and general uncertainty continue to hold back would-be buyers. Redfin estimates that there approximately 500,000 more sellers are active in the market than buyers, giving the few active buyers more leverage on price and concessions. “Homebuying activity has stabilized at below-normal levels,” said Asad Khan, Redfin senior economist. “Many would-be homebuyers
Uneven signals mark a housing market stuck in neutral Read More »
Home Depot Inc. cut its full-year earnings guidance, warning that some unsteady consumers are hitting the pause button on big-ticket home purchases. The world’s largest home-improvement retailer said it expects adjusted earnings per share to decline 5% from a year ago, lower than its previous forecast. The company said its profit and comparable sales came
Home Depot cuts forecast on weak demand for big-ticket items Read More »
Mortgage rates rose by 2 basis points this week, but did not impact home purchase activity during the period, Freddie Mac said. “Rates for the 30-year and the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage essentially remained flat this week, but we did see purchase activity increase, which is encouraging,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Right now,
Homebuyer activity climbs despite minor rate uptick Read More »