National News

40 Texas billionaires make the Forbes 400 list

In Houston, 11 billionaires made the list

Housing starts up in the South – the sole region to show gains

Two percent jump in housing starts nationwide could mean lower chance of recession

The homeownership gap is closing, albeit slightly

Minority homeownership, which plummeted during the Great Recession, is climbing back up.

First American: ‘If you build it, they will buy it’

Housing starts make progress in September, showing signs of more housing on the way.

Pocket listing rule approved by NAR

While the association has moved to institute new rules around what to do about off-MLS listings, there are some who say it restricts trade and others who feel it doesn’t go far enough to force brokers to share listing data.

Buyers increasingly depend on family while sellers rely on agents

NAR report: Selling without the assistance of an agent at a near all-time low

Affordability tug of war between prices and interest rates

For now, low borrowing costs are keeping pace with rising prices. But how long can this last?

Harvard University report: Vibrant housing market ahead, provided construction ramps up

The State of the Nation’s Housing report stresses the need for more inventory

Cost burden lifting for Harris County homeowners

Census data shows that while many people in the Houston area are rent burdened, the percentage owners pay for housing is actually decreasing.

Houston home prices jump in September, following nationwide trend

All 50 states saw a boost in prices last month. CoreLogic reports half of millennial homebuyers used retirement savings to help them purchase their first home.