National News

4 Key Trends in New Construction Today

New home sales were up in August, but is that a sign of a strengthening market? In August, new home sales rose 5.7 percent month-to-month and 21.6 percent year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 552,000, according to

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

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

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

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

Builder Confidence at Highest Level Since Oct. 2005

Builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes rose another point to 62 points on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). It is the highest number since October 2005. David Crowe, the

MBA: Mortgage Applications Decline in Weekly Survey

According to the new Mortgage Applications Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications declined 7.0 percent from the week prior. Refinancing activity was down by 9 percent, while purchase mortgages were down by 4 percent. Refinancing comprised 56.2

Millennials Still Living at Home, Facing Economic Hardships

A Pew Research Center study highlights the problems facing Millennials who attempt to purchase a home A new study released by the Pew Research Center highlighted that Millennials are still struggling to live independently, despite the strengthening job market. While the

Fannie Mae Announces HomeReady Affordability Program

Plan revamps mortgage program to better benefit borrowers’ needs People with low to moderate income are gaining a boost when it comes to getting a mortgage. In an effort to better suit borrower needs, Fannie Mae has announced they

22 Subcontractors Needed to Build the Average Home

According to a new National Association of Home Builders study, 70 percent of builders generally use between 11 and 30 subcontractors to build one single-family home. On average, a typical builder would use 22 subcontractors to build a house. Here is

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