National News

How much Boston homeowners saved on taxes last year

A new report by John Burns Real Estate Consulting attempts to quantify and forecast the real estate impact of 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and takes stock of some measurable aspects of the law’s effects about a year

How and why your clients undertake remodeling projects

The eighth annual Houzz & Home Study, released June 5, revealed the trends, desires, budgets and challenges of homeowners taking on remodeling projects. These takeaways will help you assist clients who are looking to upgrade their living spaces. Spending

Real estate in brief: Fannie and Freddie plans, LGBT house-hunting and more

Fannie, Freddie conservatorship plans in final stages Long-discussed plans to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of their government-controlled conservatorship status and return ownership to private shareholders may be nearly complete. The Wall Street Journal reported May 30

Home sales price behavior moderates as rates keep falling

A surge in demand for homes combined with a widespread shortage of supply caused home prices to surge beyond the reach of many buyers in the last year. Fortunately for prospective buyers and the U.S. housing market at large,

Real estate in brief: Flipping, remodeling and more

Ridesharing and house flipping: A perfect pair? Houses suitable for a flip can be in short supply these days, but services are sprouting up to find them using a unique business model. In a recent article, The Wall Street

3 indicators leading you into the summer market

It’s clear we’re in a transitional real estate market at the moment, but the destination isn’t quite as obvious. While this year has been notoriously difficult to predict in terms of home sales, there are three indicators that can

The view from D.C.: Top takeaways from NAR’s ‘Midyear’

While much of the buzz around the National Association of Realtors’ Legislative Meetings revolved around the fact that President Donald Trump would be the first sitting president to accept the organization’s invitation to address members in their annual pilgrimage

Real estate in brief: Tariffs hit remodeling, explaining REOs and more

Tariffs cause growing concern in remodeling industry The escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and China continues to make headlines. While the actual effects of the new tariffs introduced by both countries are myriad, they are having a discernible

Real Estate in Brief: Trump at NAR, Redfin-RE/MAX split and more

President Trump to speak at NAR conference The National Association of Realtors announced in a May 12 press release that President Donald Trump would address attendees of its Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C. this week. While

Redfin unveils latest move against buyer agent commissions

Redfin has been testing a pilot program that will allow homebuyers to make offers on homes listed on its platform without an agent representing them. The program, dubbed Redfin Direct, has been in testing phases in the Boston market

Boosting the middle class through smarter housing policy

The American middle class is considered a crucial demographic in the political, economic and social sense. But defining who, or what, is middle-class has never been easy for experts or ordinary people. Most Americans consider themselves middle-class, even if

Survey: Home sellers are confident, but need agents’ help

It turns out that sellers may need you more than you might realize. A new survey by SOLD.com found that 94 percent of home sellers are confident about selling their home, yet over half are unfamiliar with the options

Builders bullish on 55+ market, but labor shortages loom

Industry confidence in the single-family housing market for older adults reached an all-time high last quarter. The National Association of Home Builders’ 55+ Housing Market Index continued its recent incline with a reading of 72, up six points from

Real Estate in Brief: Cooler prices, association hires and more

Redfin sees first annual home price decrease since 2012 While most national indicators have shown home price growth falling over the last several months, Redfin is the first to report that price increases have hit negative territory. In its

Price growth slows as pending sales pick up nationally

After the release of the Case-Shiller Index and the National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales report, it seems like the spring market is finally ready to take off. The CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index reported a 4 percent annual gain

Real Estate in Brief: FHFA plans, new-home sales and more

New FHFA director discusses plans for mortgage market Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed Mark Calabria as the new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The FHFA oversees government-owned mortgage insurers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which together

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