National News
Housing has made considerable progress the last few years, but elements of the downturn still linger. Recently, there have been many promising developments in housing. New construction, for instance, is becoming more affordable, and new home sales are up
Average fixed mortgage rates have lowered following September’s jobs report, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. With the 30-year FRM falling from 3.85 to 3.76 percent, average rates have now been below 4 percent for 11 consecutive weeks, while including the
LendingTree’s survey reveals that though Americans bargain shop for many things, they do not adequately research financial loans. Out of the 1,024 people surveyed (ages 25 and up), 79 percent of Americans claimed to be bargains shoppers. An overwhelming 83
According to the new Mortgage Applications Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications increased 25.5 percent from the week prior. Refinancing activity increased by 24 percent, while purchase mortgages rose by 27 percent. Refinancing comprised 57.4 percent of all mortgage
The rental market in Houston has been red-hot for some time now, but is it finally tapering off? And what would that mean for homeownership? The average rent in Chicago’s housing market is $886, and the area’s rental growth is among
China is currently steeped in economic turmoil, and its tumbling stock prices and overinflated real estate market have industry professionals asking the question: How will this affect the U.S. real estate market? The answer has major implications for agents, brokerages
According to RealtyTrac and Ethnic Technologies, the share of Mandarin Chinese-speaking buyers paying in cash has increased to 46 percent in 2015, a 229 percent increase from 2005. This increase puts Mandarin Chinese in the lead in terms of cash sale market share
As the era of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio, 8th) comes to a close, we’re looking back on the legacy of the chamber’s 61st speaker and the Ohio native’s history with housing policy. As minority leader in April 2008, when the
Despite more Millennials entering the market, baby boomers still lead Baby boomers made up the majority of new households formed in the beginning of 2015, according to a report released by the National Association of Realtors. The report, which
Green construction is growing faster than conventional construction. It currently provides 2.3 million jobs and $55 million in residential construction spending, which is expected to grow by $45 million by 2018. The homebuyers driving that growth are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, and the National Association of
Did the latest Case-Shiller present more of the same for housing? Home prices in the Dallas area were up 1.2 percent from June to July and 8.7 percent from July 2014, according to the latest Case-Shiller Home Price Index from Standard & Poor’s. The
July’s rebound short-lived as pending sales fall Pending home sales dipped in August again after a mild resurgence in July, but still held over last August for the twelfth consecutive month of year-over-year gains, according to a report released by the
New home sales were up in August, but is that a sign of a strengthening market? In August, new home sales rose 5.7 percent month-to-month and 21.6 percent year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 552,000, according to
An interest rate hike is not a concern to buyers Buyers are more concerned about affordability, competition and inventory than an interest rate hike, according to a Redfin survey of 3,577 buyers done in late July. Only 5 percent of the
Gallup polls a mixed bag of job market confidence, lack of confidence for economy Forty-five percent of Americans believe it is a “good time” to find a quality job, up six points from last month, according to a new Gallup poll.
For decades, white buyers have largely dictated the direction of the housing industry. That may soon change, though, as a recent survey from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals found
