Fears of an economic fallout are causing long-term U.S. mortgage rates to fall as the newest COVID-19 strain reignites worry among Americans. 

Check out the hometown stories which most interested our Boston readers.

Take a look at which national stories from the year generated the most interest with our readers.

The median sales price of new homes hit a new high of $416,900.

The median existing-home sales price for all housing types rose again on an annual basis, marking 117 consecutive months of gains.

The seasonal housing cooldown may end early this year according to Zillow’s latest market report, which found the spring market thaw may be here before winter even begins.

You’ve heard of Gothic architecture … but what about goth architecture? A certain listing in Lincoln, Ill. is trending for its shocking black exterior.

Despite the declines, median prices continued to grow and set records.

Eviction filings are rising as millions of Americans are being forced from their homes months after lawmakers allowed the federally imposed eviction moratorium to expire. 

“The market is roaring along, with only half the seasonal slowdown we typically see from October to November.” — RE/MAX LLC President Nick Bailey

The Boston Planning & Development Agency has approved a South Boston redevelopment project that will develop four mixed-use buildings at an underutilized industrial site on Dorchester Avenue.

The partnership will help potential homeowners find down-payment assistance programs to make homeownership more attainable, especially for first-time buyers.

The pandemic and work-from-home orders have changed where, when and why people buy homes. As a result, housing prices hit the highest median of all time in 2021, as the number of homes for sale fell to an all-time low and the demand for second homes surged, according to a new Redfin report. 

The National Association of REALTORS®  applauded President Joe Biden’s nomination of acting Federal Housing Finance Agency director Sandra Thompson to serve in a permanent capacity.. “Her talents and experience will benefit the enterprises, homeowners and home buyers and the mortgage-financing ecosystem,” NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith said in a press release.

LoanSnap said it used  its innovative AI technology, affectionately called Nell, to close the loan in the record-breaking amount of time.

The median sales price of a home in Massachusetts grew slightly in November, as housing inventory remained tight, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors November housing statistics report.