Real estate in 2021 was weird, wild and always unpredictable
The year saw explosive rivalries, wild stock market performances and plenty of rage
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 13
It's official: Inflation ramps up to fastest annual pace in 40 years
It's not just the housing market. The prices of US consumer goods have been rising faster than at any 12-month period since 1982, according to the Consumer Price Index released Friday
by Daniel Houston Dec 10
Markets remain volatile, but mortgage rates stay the course
The average rate for a 30-year, fixed rate loan was 3.10% this week, according to Freddie Mac's latest lender survey
by Daniel Houston Dec 10
Biden tariff policy propels lumber costs back to record highs
Booming buyer demand, withering US lumber supplies and a tariff hike on Canadian softwood have pushed lumber prices to a pandemic high, with sales contracts closing at $950 Wednesday
by Marian McPherson Dec 9
The 10 hottest housing markets to watch in 2022
The top US housing markets for 2022 are mostly affordable tech hubs with outdoor recreational opportunities that have become attractive alternatives to pricier coastal markets of late
The million-dollar question: Do $1M Freddie Mac mortgages conflict with affordable housing mission?
Redwood Trust, which issues 'jumbo' loans that are off limits to Fannie and Freddie, said in a new critique that costlier markets are better served by private lenders
by Matt Carter Dec 8
US home price growth turbo charges to historic 45-year record
The upward spiral continued as home prices surged a record 18% year over year in October to the highest growth rate in the 45-year history of CoreLogic's Home Price Index
Jobs report disappoints, but real estate hiring keeps rolling along
Homebuilders and real estate firms posted strong hiring trends even as a federal jobs report came up far short of expectations for November
by Daniel Houston Dec 3
After rocky November, rates for 30-year mortgages stabilize above 3%
The average rate for a 30-year mortgage has been climbing in recent months and now rests 17 percent higher than its all-time low in January, according to Freddie Mac’s latest lender survey
by Daniel Houston Dec 2
Drop in demand for mortgage refinancing hints at what's to come
Applications to refinance fell 41% from a year ago as rates increased for the third week in a row, according to The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey
by Matt Carter Dec 1
Next year to be a 'mixed bag' for real estate: realtor.com report
Recent inventory shortages may ease somewhat in 2022, but demand will probably still exceed supply and affordability will be challenging
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 1
Fed still considering faster tapering of support for mortgages
Fed chair Jerome Powell says economy is 'very strong' and inflation now looks like more than a transitory issue
by Matt Carter Nov 30
four colorful house roofs
Opinion
Many have pointed to the failure of Zillow Offers as proof that the Zestimate is inaccurate, but the company’s struggles actually reinforce the critical role that quality automated valuation technology plays in the iBuying process
by Jeremy Sicklick Nov 30
Record increase in Fannie, Freddie loan limits fuels debate
An 18% increase in conforming loan limit, to $647,200, is the biggest leap in records dating to 1970
by Matt Carter Nov 30
Zillow Offers' demise 'attributable to internal factors,' report claims
Zavvie has found that both iBuyers and Power Buyers are seeing explosive growth — suggesting Zillow's recent moves don't reflect weakness in the iBuying concept
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 30
Home price hikes persisted in Q3 as September signaled growth decline
Prices rose 4.2 percent in the third quarter of 2021 and were up 18.5 percent over the same time last year, according to the latest House Price Index by the Federal Housing Finance Agency
by Daniel Houston Nov 30