A long-term rise in the homeownership rate ended last year, and the latest report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies examines some reasons why. A widening gap between housing costs and wages contributed to the 30 basis-point drop in the ownership rate year over year to 65.6%, according to Census data. This marks […]
Homeownership stalls after a decade of gains Read More »
Rocket Mortgage unveiled a new equity-backed financing product aimed at giving homebuyers an advantage when vying for homes in competitive markets. The Detroit-based lender’s new bridge loan offers prospective buyers the opportunity to draw into their accrued equity to put down an offer on a new purchase while still living in their existing property. Borrowers
Rocket introduces buy-before-you-sell bridge financing Read More »
In the four years since the Surfside condo collapse, a wave of regulatory changes continues to unsettle property owners and lenders, compounding challenges in an already fragile housing market. The scrutiny on condo developments in the aftermath of Surfside led to tightened lending rules that continue to put properties across the country onto a nonwarrantable
Nonwarrantable condos fuel niche lending boom Read More »
The president should unwind the federal government’s stake in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and direct the proceeds to a housing remainder trust designed to close critical gaps in real estate lending, writes Joshua Rosner, of Graham Foster & Co.Adobe Stock America’s post-pandemic paradox is clear: The economy keeps adding jobs, but the supply of
Trump could solve the housing crisis with no help from Congress Read More »
Rhode Island real estate professionals are criticizing two new taxes that will increase costs for Ocean State homeowners, including a levy dubbed the “Taylor Swift tax.” State lawmakers last week approved a $14 billion fiscal year 2026 budget, which now awaits Gov. Dan McKee’s signature. Included in the proposed budget is a 63% increase in
‘Taylor Swift tax’ draws ire from mortgage, housing groups Read More »
US previously owned home sales rose slightly in May to a still-sluggish pace that continues to show a housing market constrained by poor affordability. Contract closings increased 0.8% to an annualized rate of 4.03 million last month, just the second advance this year, according to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors. That
Home resales stay sluggish on affordability constraints Read More »
For many career servicemembers in the U.S. military, relocation is part of the job. Known as a Permanent Change of Station, these reassignments typically happen every two to four years and often involve moving an entire household: spouse, kids, pets and all. This is where lenders and real estate agents can play a critical role
How to guide military PCS clients through home financing Read More »
In the aftermath of the Federal Open Market Committee’s June meeting, certain interest rate spreads should narrow, but the overall impact for mortgages is mixed, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods report said. Part of that depends on which segment of the industry the company operates in. Mortgage rates remaining elevated, with the 30-year fixed only
Mortgage servicers benefit most from Fed’s inaction: KBW Read More »
Home prices continued to rise in May, reaching a new high even as fears of tariffs, trade wars, and economic uncertainty swirl through the broader economy. The median sale price for a home reached an all-time record of $396,500 during the four weeks ending June 15, according to Redfin. This was up 1% from the
High home prices hide broader slowdown as demand drops Read More »
Flipping homes is becoming a less profitable business venture for investors, an Attom Data Solutions report finds. The return on investment for fix-and-flip properties dipped to 25% in the first quarter of 2025, down from 28% the previous quarter. In the fall of 2020, the ROI on flipping homes was 48.8%, per the data vendor.
Home flipping bears less fruit for investors in Q1 Read More »