Despite a slowdown in single-family construction activity, newly built homes are becoming increasingly accessible to American buyers, in terms of both availability and affordability. According to data from the New-Construction Insights report released by Realtor.com, in the second quarter

Signed contracts declined despite lower interest rates and improved affordability and inventory, the National Association of REALTORS® said.   

Dallas agent Michelle Wood of Compass RE Texas is responsible for listing two of the 10 most expensive new listings in the Lone Star State.

This former Masonic lodge in Little Falls, New York, was once a meeting place for a local chapter of the Freemasons.

Most of the Bayou City’s new apartments — over 7,700 — are located in Houston proper, followed by Cypress at 1,343 units and Spring at 1,109.

The upside surprise came despite monthly and yearly declines in the pace of sales. 

Nationally, home sales rose 0.6% year over year but slid 0.7% month over month, RE/MAX said. 

This home has been carefully constructed out of retrofitted steel shipping containers using alternative construction methods.

The association said the housing market is making a definitive swing back in the direction of the buyer thanks to wage growth, slowing home-price gains and rising inventory. 

The Joy Hub features an 11,000-square-foot pool with the Clear Comfort Hydroxyl-Based Advanced Oxidation Process, a treatment system that uses 50% fewer chemicals than typical chlorinated pools.

The single-family sector managed to eke out a slight monthly gain, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

International transactions increased 9% year over year, with 7,500 purchases made by foreign homebuyers.

Compass agent Laura Sweeney listed the top three most expensive homes sold in greater Houston last month, plus two other homes in the top 10.

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index slid a point to 32, reflecting ongoing negative sentiment in the homebuilding industry. 

The gain in the average buyer’s agent commission is the third quarterly increase since the National Association of REALTORS® changed its commission rules last August. 

Given that increased affordability, Houston households needed a yearly income of at least $98,400 to afford a median-priced home, down 2% year over year.