National News

High home prices and low inventory likely to persist in 2021

First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming has predicted that homebuyers are likely to face higher prices, and an inventory crunch, in 2021.

Loan limit boost of 7.4% good for Houston buyers

This means homebuyers will be able to borrow up to the new level without triggering higher interest rates.

Housing starts up, but will it last?

A new report has good news for housing construction, but will it hold through next year?

Realogy Franchise Group names new president and CEO

She will oversee the franchise operations of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21 and ERA. Yannaccone also will lead the company’s efforts in the franchise and owned operations of Sotheby’s International Realty and Corcoran.

Here’s what President-elect Joe Biden’s housing plan looks like

With a plan to invest $640 billion over 10 years and vows to end discriminatory and unfair practices in the housing market, including “redlining,” President-elect Joe Biden’s housing policy agenda looks to protect low-income and housing-insecure households.

Labor market shows improvement in latest jobs report

The latest jobs report shows improvement, with another 638,000 net job gains and the unemployment rate slashed to 6.9%.

Expect fall price gains, but 2021 could see a cooling market

The new S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index reveals record-breaking August for home sales, up 21% over the 2006 pre-Great Recession high.

Houston home sales up 24.9% in September

In Houston, the number of transactions dropped 2.1% from the previous month to 9,183.

First American: Homesellers playing ‘musical chairs’

Homesellers continued to sell homes to each other in September, making the market resemble a game of ‘housing musical chairs,’ according to First American chief economist Mark Fleming.

New unemployment claims spike, though continuing claims fall

Economic recovery slumps as initial jobless claims unexpectedly jump.

Homeowners in blue counties headed to red, swing counties

Redfin looked at the number of prospective homebuyers searching in the second quarter who wanted to change counties. Home search data revealed that 6.5% fewer people were looking for homes in blue (Democratic) counties than in swing or red (Republican) counties.

Commercial-to-apartment conversions on the rise

The 2010 decade grew the amount of overall building conversions from about 2,000 units converted in the 1950s to roughly 97,000 over the last decade.

Construction employment up in latest jobs report, though still below pre-pandemic levels

The U.S. economy has recovered approximately half of the 22 million jobs lost during the height of the pandemic, according to the Labor Department.

NAR helps secure federal funds for transportation, flooding

It was a hard-fought effort to procure federal funds in the middle of a recession, but NAR announced that the president is poised to sign a bill that provides money for road projects and flooding.

@properties rolls out national franchise program

The Chicago-based brokerage is taking it to the next level by going national.

Who’s doing better in home sales, liberals or conservatives?

A new report by Redfin shows counties of both political stripes are benefiting from a booming real estate market. See how the numbers break down.

Oops! We could not locate your form.