News / Features

The 6 biggest challenges facing housing in 2016

From numerous vantage points, the U.S. housing market has improved considerably in recent years. Home prices are rising. The number of underwater homeowners has shrunk from 12.1 million in 2011 to 4.3 million today. Delinquency rates are down. And

Pending home sales reverse course, decline in May

After steadily increasing for three straight months, pending home sales let up in May and declined year-over-year for the first time in almost two years, according to the latest analysis from NAR. The Pending Home Sales Index slid 3.7

Houston’s Rice Military among the nation’s 20 most exclusive housing markets

The Rice Military neighborhood is one of the most exclusive housing markets in the country, according to a new analysis from HomeUnion. With an almost $100,000 median household income placing in the 75 percentile and an average rent of $2,858, Rice Military

9 local lenders honored in NAHREP’s mortgage originators award

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals released their top 250 Latino Mortgage Originators Award for 2016, and nine Houston-area lenders were honored. Some of the lenders appear within the top 100 Latino Mortgage Originators from non-depository lenders as well. The

Single-family sales lead Houston into Summer selling months

Going into May, the beginning slope of the summertime sales bell curve, Houston has seen a swell in buyer activity – as was to be expected. Prices have not followed suit, according to a report from the Houston Association

Houston high schools snag 4 of state’s top 10 spots

The nonprofit Children at Risk recently released its 11th annual Texas School Rankings, and of the state’s top 10 high schools, four were in Houston. In its list, the advocacy group ranked over 170 Greater Houston elementary schools on the basis of student

27 million Baby Boomers are planning to move nationwide

  According to Freddie Mac’s “55+ Survey,” Baby Boomers looking to move again in their lifetimes could have a substantial impact on the future of housing. The survey found that out of the 27 million Boomers looking to move, 13 percent

The secret to a higher sale: Paint color?

A new study from Zillow Digs found that homes with neutral colors sell for more money than those listed without such tones. For instance, yellow kitchens sold for $1,360 more than asking price, while white kitchens sold for $82

The Brexit factor: What it means for U.S. real estate

The United Kingdom became the first country ever to leave the European Union last week, and the decision is one to be felt the world over – including by the United State’s real estate market. In the immediate aftermath of

Texas home prices remain strong in new Case-Shiller Indices

The Texas housing market continued its strong home price growth in 2016, according to the latest Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. From March to April (the most recent month of available data), Dallas home prices – the Case-Shiller does not track Houston’s market

Home prices are outpacing wages, and that’s a problem

Homeownership has become much less affordable for Houston consumers the last few years, according to a new analysis from RealtyTrac. The Q2 2016 Home Affordability Index, which compares wage growth to home price increases, found that without exception, home prices in

This Week in Houston Real Estate: Joe Zimmerman’s plans as mayor, Brexit’s effect on the economy and more.

Having trouble keeping up to date on all of Houston’s top real estate news? Some of this week’s top stories include Joe Zimmerman and his recent mayoral victory, and Brexit’s effect on the city’s economy. In case you missed it,

NAR voices support for bills in favor of alternatives to FICO

Earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) expressed their support for two bills that aim to make it easier for consumers to build credit and secure a mortgage. The first bill NAR expressed support for is H.R. 4172,

How Houston’s famous sprawl costs residents billions every year

American commuters lose billions of dollars a year because of sprawl – and only one other metro area is more harmful on commuter bank accounts than Houston. That was the finding of a new analysis from City Observatory, which calculated the

Landscaping done right: do’s and don’ts this summer

Homebuyers are buying more than walls and windows when they visit an available space, they are buying the landscaping as well. If left uncared for, homebuyers could be turned off to the sale. Here are do’s and don’ts for landscaping

What goes into a new home’s price? Most consumers have no idea

There is a significant disconnect between consumers and homebuilders, according to a new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders. Comparing Census Bureau data with that of its most recent Home Buyer Preferences Survey, the NAHB found that

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