News / Features

Gay and Lesbian real estate group requests NAR support of anti-discrimination bills

The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) has announced their support for two Congressional bills aimed to combat housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Congressmen David Cicilline (D-RI), co-chair of the Congressional

Houston’s number of ‘super commuters’ explodes

Residents of modest means increasingly can’t afford to live in major urban centers, and the result is taking a toll on our highways and commutes. As more people seek cheaper housing away from inner cities, the number of “super

Real Estate in Brief: Housing inventory at record low, Compass and Freddie Mac announce new hires and more

Housing inventory is at a historic low, with nearly 9 percent fewer homes on the market than last year, according to the latest report from Zillow. Over half of the homes available are on the expensive end of the

Homeownership continues to trend upward

The homeownership rate in the U.S. is trending upward, retaining the same 64.2 percent rate in the first quarter of 2018 as the last quarter of 2017, according to the Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). The current rate

Pending home sales rise slightly in March

Pending home sales rose for the second straight month in March, though lack of inventory is still having a negative effect on the market, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales

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NAHB: Nearly half of those planning to buy a home this year are first-time buyers

Nearly half of those who are planning to buy a home this year are first-time homebuyers, according to the first edition of Housing Trends Report (HTR) from the National Association of HomeBuilders. The survey found that 17 percent of respondents

This Week in Houston Real Estate: Meritage Homes to build first community under new floodplain standards

Meritage Homes received approval from the Houston City Council for a new project, the first under the new floodplain rules. Spring Brook Village, located in Spring Branch, will include a 26-acre drainage system to keep rainwater in the center

Homes in districts that were once redlined still lag in value

Homes in neighborhoods that were “redlined,” a practice that began in the 1930s to prevent people of certain races economic classes from buying in certain areas, still have relatively low value compared to other homes in their respective cities,

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Buyers show increasing interest in sustainable homes

Sustainable and eco-friendly homes are becoming increasingly desirable to homebuyers. In a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors’ Sustainability Program, Realtor respondents reported that the majority of homebuyers — 61 percent — are interested in green living. Additionally, 71 percent say

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Real Estate in Brief: Construction growth sees big increase, Lennar partners with Amazon and more

The real value of the construction industry rose 8.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, the largest increase since the first quarter of 2016, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This surge is an encouraging

March existing home sales growing but still seeing constraints

March marked the second straight month of increases for existing-home sales in the country. Total existing-home sales rose 1.1 percent to an annual rate (seasonally adjusted) of 5.60 million, up from 5.54 million in February, according to NAR’s most recent

March home prices see largest increase in four years

This March, the market saw an increase of 8.9 percent in median sales price from a year ago, achieving the highest rise in price in over four years, according to Redfin. The median home sale price in March was

This Week in Houston Real Estate: Houston ranks as one of the best cities for job seekers

Houston placed No. 25 in Indeed’s annual ranking of best cities for job seekers, down from No. 9 last year. In individual categories, Houston ranked at No. 14 for work/life balance and No. 15 for job security and advancement.

NAR: Housing affordability remains elusive nationwide

Nationally, homes are less affordable than a year ago, meaning fewer households can afford what’s currently on the market based on household income, according to joint research by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and realtor.com. “Wages are growing, which

Hurricane relief fund to set up online home repair service

The Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) is creating a system to connect homeowners affected by Hurricane Harvey with repair services for their homes. The GHCF is behind the $113 million Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, set up by Major Sylvester Turner

Hurdlr targets the real estate world with new focus

Hurdlr, a Washington, D.C.-based startup that helps freelancers monitor expenses, taxes and other back end personal business needs, recently announced a new focus on the real estate industry. It will provide agents with goal-setting features paired with its original income-tracking

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