National News

Consumer bureau rolls back expected HMDA regulations for 2018

Mortgage lenders who were concerned about increased regulation and compliance in 2018 with the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act no longer need to worry. Under the new rules announced in 2015, lenders would have needed to provide significantly more information

The number of renting households declined for the first time in 14 years

While the number of renters now outpaces homeowners — with about one-third of the country’s population living in rentals — 2017 saw the first year of a slight decline in renting households since 2004, according to a recent report from

Home prices projected to increase 4.2 percent by November 2018

Home prices are up both year-over-year and month-over-month, according to CoreLogic’s Home Price Index (HPI) and HPI Forecast for November 2017. From November 2016 to November 2017, U.S. home prices increased 7 percent year over year. Month-over-month, home prices

Texas had the highest population growth in the country

Texas edges closer to California as the most populous state as the Lone Star state saw the largest population growth last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s national and state population estimates of 2017. Between July 2016 and

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FHFA looks to update credit scoring, mortgage financing in 2018

The Federal Housing Finance Agency will be making changes as outlined in its 2018 Scorecard, which was released late last month. The scorecard highlights specific conservatorship priorities for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Common Securitization Solutions (CSS). The three main

NAR: Millennials, silent generation are desiring walkable communities

While millennials are seen as the driving force behind the new trend in walkable communities, older generations also prefer to live in neighborhoods where they can easily get around on foot. According to the 2017 National Community and Transportation

Guaranteed Rate introduces new jumbo loan program

On Dec. 27, Guaranteed Rate announced a new jumbo loan program that does not require mortgage insurance and accepts as little as a 10 percent down payment option for loans up to $3 million. The program, GR Flex Power, includes

Pending home sales inch up slightly in November

Pending home sales saw small gains in November while existing home sales and price growth are expected to slow heading into 2018, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index rose from 109.3 in October

US home prices continue to rise

Amid low inventory and soaring sales, home prices around the country continued to increase in October, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices. Prices were up 6.2 percent over last October and up from 6.1 percent in September.

Floral is in, bar carts are out in Zillow’s home trends predictions for 2018

The new year is just around the corner, and if you’ve resolved to make your living space come alive with color and unique accents alike, a new forecast can help you choose your new decor. Zillow recently released its Home

Redfin: The average American home costs 18 bitcoins

Bitcoin, the first ever cryptocurrency to function independent of a bank or middleman, soared last month from $5,870.37 per coin on Nov. 12 to $16,650.01 on Dec. 12, a 183.6 percent jump. As of Dec. 21, its value was

What salary affords you a home in the Houston area?

Housing affordability remains a growing problem across the country, according to a new study by mortgage resource HSH.com, which examined the 50 largest metro areas in the United States to determine the salary residents must earn to afford an

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Congressional Republicans pass sweeping tax bill

After being approved by the House of Representatives and Senate on Dec. 20 after months of deliberations and negotiations, the Republicans’ so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to land on President Donald J. Trump’s desk for final

Existing-home sales reach strongest pace in more than a decade

The end of the year usually means a slowdown in home sales, but this year is showing to be an exception, with existing-home sales growing in November for the third straight month to reach their strongest pace in nearly

Single-family housing starts surge along with builder confidence

  After a slow construction season in October, housing starts across the nation saw a 3.3 percent jump in November, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department.  Single-family construction, in

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Freddie, Fannie announce affordable housing initiative

The United States has been grappling with a dearth of affordable housing, spurring a number of municipalities and officials around the country to address the problem head on. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae recently unveiled a plan to fix what

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