Top 10 U.S. mortgage lender CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) on Wednesday announced that it has increased its conforming loan limit to $819,000, joining the list of lenders that are moving in advance of the projected 2026 loan limits to be released later in the year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). “Today’s housing market can […]
CrossCountry Mortgage raises conforming loan limit to $819,000 Read More »
Homeowners are turning underused private spaces into sources of income — renting out pools, backyards, and home gyms by the hour. From Los Angeles to Miami, residents are tapping into what some call the “Airbnb for Everything” trend. Pools are booked for small social gatherings, backyards host yoga classes and home gyms are used for
Homeowners cashing in with ‘Airbnb for anything’ rentals Read More »
A new bill introduced in the Ohio Senate would create a grant program to help older and disabled homeowners cover the cost of their property taxes, mortgages and essential household bills. Senate Bill 255 — dubbed the “Save the Dream Ohio” program — would allow qualifying homeowners to apply for up to $3,000 per year
Property tax, mortgage relief package introduced by Ohio lawmakers Read More »
The U.S. birth rate fell to an historic low in 2024, continuing a nearly two-decade decline that researchers say is shaped in part by rising housing costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the national fertility rate dropped below 1.6 children per woman last year. The replacement level — or rate needed
US birth rate hits record low, housing costs weigh on family planning Read More »
Pacaso on Tuesday announced the launch of the first purpose-built, 30-year mortgage designed for co-ownership of vacation homes in the U.S. The new financing option gives qualified buyers and existing Pacaso owners a standardized way to finance their share of a second home, with a simplified closing process. The product is backed by a $100
Pacaso launches 30-year mortgage for vacation home co-ownership Read More »
Efforts to abolish or deeply reform property taxes are gaining momentum in multiple states — including Ohio — where impassioned debate has cited potential funding shortfalls for local services, seniors being prices out of homes and further effects on the housing market. Howard Fleeter, an economist with the Ohio Education Policy Institute who has worked
Ohio property tax debate intensifies Read More »
The homeownership rate among Black Americans fell to 43.9% in the second quarter of 2024, the lowest level since late 2021, according to Redfin. That was down from 45.3% a year earlier and marked the steepest annual decline since the third quarter of 2021. By comparison, the Hispanic homeownership rate rose slightly to 48.8% from
Homeownership among Black Americans drops to 4-year low Read More »
A new report from FirstHome IQ found that while younger generations express confidence in managing their finances, most still lack core financial literacy skills. The 2025 NextGen Financial Literacy Report, released on Monday, is based on a survey done in partnership between FirstHome IQ and National MI. It includes 500 people between the ages 18
The next generation of homebuyers is ‘overloaded’ and confused Read More »
Los Angeles will make $387 million available for affordable housing projects — reportedly the largest single funding round in the city housing department history. Applications for the funds opened Sept. 5 and close Oct. 20. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit developers, community land trusts, limited equity housing cooperatives, public entities and other organizations, the
Los Angeles ‘mansion tax’ fuels record affordable housing funding Read More »
Homeowners are spending a growing share of their mortgage payments on property insurance, which is now rising faster than principal, interest and taxes, according to the September ICE Mortgage Monitor. Data shows that annual property insurance payments for single-family mortgage holders now average nearly $2,370. That amounts to 9.6% of monthly mortgage-related expenses, the highest
Rising insurance costs deepen homeownership strain Read More »