In a new market forecast, Grant Thornton chief economist Diane Swonk writes, "housing will tread water in 2019 as supply constraints and affordability problems offset any gains from slightly lower mortgage rates."
Existing-home sales were lower than experts anticipated in March, with distinct pressures on both the high- and low-ends of the market, according to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors.
Experts say that to help alleviate the chronic affordability crisis in California, single-family homeowners should be allowed to convert their garages into accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Effective April 18, 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enacted rule changes for down payment assistance on Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgages.
Urban markets have been impacted most by the recent housing market slowdown, according to a new study of exurban, suburban, and urban market trends in the 100 biggest U.S. metros.
A new study of home building employment finds that of the 10.3 million Americans working in construction in 2017 (the most recent data available), more than 4 million worked in residential construction, or 2.6 percent of the nation's civilian labor force
According to Freddie Mac's latest data, the 30-year fixed-rate average hit 4.17 percent, up five basis points over the previous week and down 30 basis points annually.
The nation's housing markets, even in the priciest ZIP codes, are shifting in advantage toward home buyers after years of favoring sellers. Year-over-year, 10 times as many of the 100 biggest U.S. metros now favor buyers.
Home prices in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties in California fell in March 2019, the first annual decline for LA and San Diego counties since 2012, and the third for Orange County since December 2018.
JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo recently released their latest earnings reports, showing that mortgage originations and lending had double-digit drops over the previous year, and JPM CEO Jamie Dimon told analysts, “Non-banks are becoming competitors."