As COVID cases rise, new jobless claims trend in the wrong direction
Approximately 885K Americans filed new unemployment claims last week, up from 853K the week prior, according to data released by the US Department of Labor
by Patrick Kearns Dec 17
New construction is coming to inventory-starved housing market
Privately owned housing starts were up 12.8% year over year in October, according to data released Thursday by the US Census Bureau
by Patrick Kearns Dec 17
Home flipping rates continue downward trend, profits hit new high
Despite the seeming decline in popularity of house flipping, the gross profit on the typical home flip rose to its highest amount since 2000 of $73,766, up from $69,000 during the second quarter of 2020
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 16
Happy happy, joy joy: The Midwest tops list of the US's happiest states
On the other end, West Virginia, Nevada, California, Mississippi and Kentucky ranked as the unhappiest states, according to a new survey by homeselling platform iSoldMyHouse
by Marian McPherson Dec 16
Mortgage applications increase for fourth time in 5 weeks
Mortgage applications and refinance applications increased during the week ending Dec. 11, 2020, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 16
Here's where home prices soared the most during the pandemic
Realtor.com's latest market analysis reveals how buyers' migration to the suburbs amid COVID-19 sparked double-digit home price growth in these 10 areas
by Marian McPherson Dec 15
The 10 hottest neighborhoods to watch in 2021
From popular ski towns in California to once-sleepy suburbs in New Jersey, these 10 areas are attracting new residents at lightning speed
The federal eviction ban is about to expire. What happens next?
Although there's hope a relief bill will be passed that includes a 1-month extension, if the moratorium is allowed to expire, as many as 40M renters might be at risk of eviction
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 15
Rent prices spike in most major cities: CoreLogic
While the average rent price rose 3.1% nationwide, Boston and Honolulu were notable exceptions
RentCafe: Gen-Zers kept 2020's sluggish rental market afloat
RentCafe's year-end market analysis covered the rental market's headwinds and a silver lining in the form of increased Gen-Z renting activity
by Marian McPherson Dec 14
How the Biden administration could help first-time homebuyers
At the National Association of Realtors’ Forecast Summit, economists said the market poses affordability hurdles for first-time buyers — even with mortgage rates at a record low
by Patrick Kearns Dec 11
Homebuyers are becoming more diverse — and facing 'headwinds'
A demographics panel at NAR's Real Estate Forecast Summit talked about the declining share of first-time homebuyers, the 'baby bust,' and the rise in multigenerational living
by Andrea V. Brambila Dec 11
Former Obama adviser: Expect Biden to prioritize housing
Jim Parrott, a nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute, said housing is 'not an abstraction' for the president-elect at National Association of Realtors' Real Estate Forecast Summit
by Andrea V. Brambila Dec 11
Economists predict GDP growth, mortgage rate increases in 2021
More stimulus is needed to prevent the economy from hitting another 'soft-spot,' according to economists who spoke at annual summit hosted by the National Association of Realtors
by Patrick Kearns Dec 10
New jobless claims spiked last week as COVID cases continue to spread
As Congress continued to negotiate a stimulus package, 947K individuals filed new unemployment claims, up 229K from the week prior, according to the Labor Department
by Patrick Kearns Dec 10
Interest in second homes is increasing, with men leading the charge
55.7% of Americans who don't own a second home say they now want one, compared to just 46.4% who expressed a desire for a second home prior to the pandemic
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 10