National News

New-home construction falls 9.6% in July 

The pace of housing starts for both single-family and multifamily residences was down on a month over month basis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported. 

NAHB: U.S. in a “housing recession,” single-family starts will decline in 2022 

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell for the eighth straight month in August, as the key measure of builder confidence indicated a pessimistic outlook. 

Keller Williams launches new business-development programs for agents 

The brokerage’s new “communities” will provide its agents with specialized training, technology, coaching and referral opportunities. 

Zillow brings Opendoor offers to its platform 

Sellers using Zillow may request and view an offer directly from Opendoor and compare it to an open-market sale with a real estate agent. 

Rental and homeowner vacancy rates still near historic lows, Census data shows

The national rental vacancy rate dropped to 5.6% in the second quarter of the year while the homeowner vacancy rate remained at 0.8%.

CoreLogic: Boston home-price increases lag national average in June 

Home prices were up 10.9% in Boston on a year-over-year basis, compared to 18.3% nationwide, CoreLogic reported, citing its Home Price Index. 

After May bump, pending-home sales hit June dip 

“Contract signings to buy a home will keep tumbling down as long as mortgage rates keep climbing, as has happened this year to date.” — National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun  

June new-home sales drop 8.1% month over month

At the same time, the inventory of new homes for sale rose 10.7%, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported.

Single-family housing starts fall for fourth month in a row in June 

The pace of new multifamily construction, however, jumped, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  

NAR: Existing-home sales continue slide in June 

At the same time, the median existing-home price rose 13.4% year over year to $416,000. 

Boston home sales jump 26.3% month over month in June 

Nationwide, sales hit their highest level of the year, rising 4.7% from June but falling 17.6% on a year-over-year basis, RE/MAX said. 

NAHB: Builder confidence falls for seventh consecutive month in July

July saw the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index post its second-largest monthly drop ever, as worries about housing affordability dampened builder sentiment. 

2022 NAR Member Profile: Median Realtor income jumps in 2021 

According to the annual survey, the typical Realtor saw their transaction sides rise from 10 to 12 and their sales volume increase from $2.1 million to $2.6 million. 

RE/MAX begins major push for new brokerages, layoffs to come with third-party tech adoption

The residential-brokerage franchisor announced a host of company-wide steps it is taking to grow its business. 

Showing activity drifts toward 2020 levels

A new report from ShowingTime reveals a continued drop in home showings nationwide: During May, buyer traffic decreased 18.2% year over year.

Boston home price growth exceeds 11% in May, deceleration on the horizon

Prices for single-family homes in Boston increased by 11.1% year over year in May, up from 10.9% month over month.

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