America's "twin dysfunctions" in its demographics, overflowing urban hubs and rural communities struggling with brain drain, has experts searching for solutions. One may be greater investment in second-tier research universities.
In February, tight supply of existing homes undercut potential sales for these homes at a 2.9 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, totaling 153,000 in lost sales, per the latest data from First American.
Following the recent Fed announcement that there will be no further rate hikes in 2019, the average rate for 30-year fixed home loans dropped from 4.40 to 4.34 percent, according to Mortgage News Daily.
While supply is ticking up, interest rates are down, and home value growth is slowing, homebuyers still face a major headwind in the spring market: a lack of affordability.
In February, prices paid for gypsum products decreased a seasonally adjusted 5.1 percent, continuing the downward trend of the past five months, per the latest BLS data.
A recent Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision is being called a victory for the mortgage industry, as homeowners in non-judicial states now have less power to fight foreclosures.
In the wake of the recent "bomb cyclone" storm system that hit the Midwest, flooding in Iowa and Nebraska caused roughly $1.3 billion in damage, putting the fate of local housing markets in question for the foreseeable future.