News / Features

Homebuyers Worried About Affordability, Not Interest Rates

An interest rate hike is not a concern to buyers Buyers are more concerned about affordability, competition and inventory than an interest rate hike, according to a Redfin survey of 3,577 buyers done in late July. Only 5 percent of the

Americans Optimistic About Job Market, Pessimistic about Economy

Gallup polls a mixed bag of job market confidence, lack of confidence for economy Forty-five percent of Americans believe it is a “good time” to find a quality job, up six points from last month, according to a new Gallup poll.

Hispanic Women Becoming Powerful Housing Demographic

For decades, white buyers have largely dictated the direction of the housing industry. That may soon change, though, as a recent survey from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals found

Housing Cost Burdens Will Only Worsen Over Next Decade

One in four renters is severely rent burdened Based on current trends of rent gains outpacing incomes, the number of severely burdened renters could increase by up to 25 percent by 2025, according to a study published by the Joint

Texas has the Eight Most Unfair Tax System in the U.S.

Texas has the eight least fair tax system in the country. That was one of the findings in WalletHub’s application of a nationally representative survey to rank which states had the most and least fair tax systems. The survey reflected what

Houston Ranks No. 5 in Recovered Cities Post Recession

WalletHub has ranked the 150 largest U.S. cities that have made the most economic progress since the recession. Houston has been ranked No. 5 in the report of  cities that have made significant progress. Here is the full list of

Existing-Home Sales Slow in August

Market slows in an expected drop as summer comes to a close After three straight months of gains, existing-home sales dipped in August, despite slowing price growth and a positive turnaround in the share of sales to first-time buyers,

Chinese Buyers Paying More for U.S. Homes

Chinese investors who are looking to buy a home in the U.S. will have to pay more, after China’s central bank devalued the yuan on September 15 and 16 in order to make the currency relative to the U.S.

Green Building is Growing Faster than Conventional Construction

According to the 2015 U.S. Green Building Economic Impact Study, conducted by the U.S. Green Building Council, the green building sector is anticipated to provide 2.3 million American jobs this year – a result of construction growth. The green construction

ACS: Houston counties among fastest-growing in U.S.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Bend County added 32,980 residents in 2014, more than any other county in the U.S. Fort Bend and Montgomery counties are also in the top 10 nationwide when ranked by percentage growth.

Zillow, Move and NAR Legal Entanglement Tightens

The maelstrom of litigation swirling around syndication heavy hitters Zillow and Move Inc. continues to grow. News recently broke that Zillow filed a countersuit in response to the “whistleblower” letter, written by former Zillow vice president Chris Crocker, Move first

Sims Luxury Builders launches Laguna project in Sugar Land

Sims Luxury Builders is currently building a new lakefront townhouse community in Sugar Land. The developer will be constructing nine luxury townhouses on a one-acre plot in the Lake Pointe neighborhood within First Colony (a community southwest of Houston).

1980s Australia Duplex Undergoes Impressive Renovation

Built on the edge of a cliff, this Queensland, Australia property offered a limited view of the Pacific Ocean until designers Jamison Architects rescued the property with massive improvements. The 1980s duplex now features a double-height living room, expansive

The Federal Reserve Punts on Raising Interest Rates

Interest rates are staying right where they are…for the time being. And so the speculation continues for another month. After weeks of outside editorial, predictions and warnings, the Federal Reserve announced today that it will leave interest rates at their

Fannie Mae Reports Easing Credit Standards

Mortgage standards are easing across all loan types, according to the new Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey from Fannie Mae. The survey was conducted in August, and asked senior mortgage executives whether their organizations’ standards had eased, tightened or remained

Zillow: Houston’s Affordability Slipping

Houston was an anomaly in the wake of the financial crisis, as the city’s surging economy kept the housing market strong. However, according to Zillow that may no longer be the case. “Houston is starting to become not as affordable for

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