National News

Pending home sales in the Northeast dive at around twice the national rate

NAR’s chief economist says April’s decline could be the lowest point in the market, and that he expects it to bounce back soon.

Mortgage applications are up, consumer confidence stabilizes

Encouraging new data shows that buyers are coming back and consumers are feeling more confident, though concerns about job stability and possible inflation remain.

Despite pandemic, new homes are selling

Data shows sales of new construction single-family homes rose slightly in April while price growth continues, albeit slowly.

Hispanic homeownership reached historic highs before COVID-19. What now?

Amongst the current pandemic, the real estate market has been at an all-time low, but how are individual communities affected?

Boston named hottest city for bidding wars

Good news for sellers: Homes on the market under $1 million are receiving multiple offers in desirable cities.

Existing-home sales drop 17.8% in April, but first-timers are coming back

Coronavirus lockdowns disrupted sales in April, but the data shows an increase in new homebuyers.

Lenders expect recovery to pick up steam by end of 2020

Economists with the Mortgage Bankers Association predict mortgage rates will remain low for the next couple of years, though there is at least one scenario under which they could rise more quickly.

Builder confidence rose nationally in May, but still down in the Northwest

Builders are feeling more confident this month, a sign that the new-home market may have already hit bottom.

Buyer demand remains strong despite pandemic, says new report

RE/MAX’s recently released National Housing Report points to resiliency of market amidst coronavirus and economic concerns.

The worst is over, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

Speaking at NAR’s recent Residential Economic Issues and Trends forum, NAR’s Lawrence Yun said economic recovery is around the corner.

Top Agent Network files antitrust lawsuit against NAR

California-based broker platform Top Agent Network has sued NAR over the pocket listing rule that went into effect this month.

Despite industry objections, qualified mortgage patch still expected to expire

Though NAR has urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to extend the rule, the agency’s director would only agree to take into account disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in managing the transition.

Chris Christie and Rahm Emanuel offer political predictions to Realtors

In a virtual version of NAR’s annual political forum, the former governor and former mayor dished on the upcoming election and the political ramifications of the local and national responses to the COVID-19 crisis.

Amid dire jobs report, one real estate company is bringing back employees

The unemployment rate officially hit a level not seen since the Great Depression, but one industry CEO sees reason for optimism.

NAR survey: Buyers want home offices, yards and larger residences

The weekly flash survey by the National Association of Realtors shows that buyers are looking for different features post-COVID-19.

Fear of selling driven by economy, COVID-19 concerns

Fannie Mae’s latest survey finds that, while many more Americans say it’s a bad time to jump into the housing market, they’re more worried about the overall economy than they are about the security of real estate investments overall.