National News

New residential mortgages hit 14-year high

Lenders issued $1.06 trillion worth of mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2020 with refis contributing to the boost.

Housing observers expect February job gains to continue

“More jobs are very likely, due to the near certain passage of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package and from two million vaccinations per day,” National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a release.

How will the stimulus bill help real estate?

The stimulus bill includes aid for state and local governments, new homeowners, small businesses and renters.

U.S. House passes Equality Act to prohibit discrimination

The House of Representatives has approved the Equality Act, which establishes legal safeguards to prevent discrimination in housing based on sexual orientation.

Black Knight: Mortgage forbearances finish February with weekly increase

The increase follows a decline earlier in February that cut the number of homeowners in forbearance plans to less than 2.7 million, the first dip below that threshold since April 2020.

RE/MAX, NAREB take on homeownership racial gap

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers has joined the RE/MAX Strategic Alliances program to help grow homeownership among minority groups.

Boston brokers skeptical of Zillow deal

The news that Zillow is purchasing ShowingTime for $500 million sent shockwaves through the residential real estate industry in February. See what readers had to say in our latest survey.

Median home sales price nears record-high

The median sales price in the first month of 2021 was up 11.8% from January 2020 to $285,000, nearly matching the record high of $290,000 set last August.

Boston among few cities where low-income housing hurts home prices

The study largely dispels a long-held belief that nearby homes lose value once low-income housing is built in an area.

Rate of homebuyers who are outbid doubles

The top reason long-time searchers have not purchased a home is because 40% say they were outbid.

Guaranteed Rate Super Bowl ad inspires positivity

The ad is part of their national brand campaign, Believe You Will, which encourages the power of positive thinking and believing you can accomplish your goals.

RPAC is always asking for money. Where do those dollars go?

As the political fundraising arm of the National Association of Realtors, RPAC solicits voluntary contributions from Realtors — more than $5 million during the 2018 election cycle. It uses those funds to help elect candidates across the political landscape who understand and support real estate interests — at all levels of government.

Biden moves to reverse Trump housing policy

The order directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reexamine Trump Administration changes to Obama-era fair housing rules.

DACA members now eligible for FHA loans

CBC Mortgage Agency, a nationally chartered finance agency, applauded the decision, noting in a press release that 85% of individuals in the DACA program are Hispanic and account for over a third of CBCMA borrowers.

RE/MAX: Home sales up 22%

It was the 5th best month of the year and outperformed most of 2019.

Guaranteed Rate acquires Stearns Holdings, LLC

Building on its goal to become the country’s No. 1 mortgage lender, Guaranteed Rate has acquired Stearns Holdings, LLC.

Oops! We could not locate your form.