National News

New-home sales post unexpectedly large decline in January

At the same time, the median sales price for a new home hit its highest level since 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   

Rate to offer mortgage balance coverage insurance for first responders

Rate announced an initiative that will offer first responders a one-year accidental death insurance policy that covers their mortgage balance up to $650,000 if they die in the line of duty.

Case-Shiller: Home prices hit all-time high for the 19th month in a row in December

In Boston, home prices rose 6.35% year over year and 0.42% month over month in December. Beantown’s annual increase was the third highest in the U.S. after New York and Chicago.

NAHB: Tariff worries help send builder confidence to five-month low

At the same time, builder sales expectations for the next six months posted their second-largest drop since the sentiment index started in 1985. 

As Redfin and Zillow partner in $100 million rental deal, Redfin lays off 450 employees

In the wake of this news, Redfin also laid off 450 employees.

NAR’s Lawrence Yun predicts home-sales growth of 9% or more in 2025

Yun expects mortgage rates to drop to 6% by the end of the year.

Trump tariffs will hurt housing affordability, says NAHB

President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods will harm housing affordability in the United States, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said in a statement over the weekend.

NAR: Existing-home sales rise for third month in a row in December

The median existing-home price for all housing types in December rose 6% from its year-ago level.    

Mark Willis steps down as CEO and president of Keller Williams, transitions to chief leadership officer

Willis initially served as president from 2002 to 2005 and as CEO from 2005 to 2014. He then resumed the post of CEO in November 2023 and took over as president again in March of last year.

Boston home sales jump year over year in December

Nationally, home sales were up 13.3% year over year and 4.4% month over month, RE/MAX said. 

73% of owners have regrets about their home purchase, survey finds

Those regrets may explain why the survey also found that 59% of respondents said they plan to move in 2025.

November pending home sales top expectations, hitting highest level since February 2023

In its last reading before the end of the year, the National Association of REALTORS®  Pending Home Sales Index posted its fourth consecutive monthly increase in November. 

Boston Agent’s top 10 national news stories of 2024

2024 was jam packed with big news stories, from the presidential election to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement to the implementation of those new rules. Check out our top 10 most-read stories. 

New-home sales rise 5.9% month over month in November

The median-sales price slid from $425,600 in October to $402,600 last month. 

Economist Matthew Gardner’s predictions for real estate in 2025

Matthew Gardner shares his predictions for the housing industry in 2025.

NAR: Existing-home sales rise in November for sharpest gain since 2021

The year-over-year increase of 6.1% is the greatest since June 2021, according to the association. 

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