IN THE NEWS

Market Watch​

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Construction of new U.S. homes fell 11.3% in August—falling short of Wall Street expectations—as builders scaled back new projects to focus on completions.

Realtor.com​

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The most common reason homebuyers say they haven’t purchased a home is that they’re waiting for prices to drop.

CoreLogic​

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U.S. home prices began rebounding on an annual basis in July, rising by 2.5%.

Redfin​

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Investor home purchases fell 45% from a year earlier in the second quarter, outpacing the 31% drop in overall home sales.

Yahoo Finance​

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One of the biggest problems in today's housing market is the inventory shortage, with demand far outstripping supply.

CNBC​

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From hurricanes to wildfires and flooding, more homes are at risk from climate change, and home insurers and policyholders face a fast-changing market.

Market Insider​

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Zillow is offering prospective homebuyers the option to put just a 1% down payment on a home purchase amid an ongoing affordability crisis sparked by soaring mortgage rates.

CNBC​

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Mortgage rates hit the highest level since the end of 2000, and that is crushing affordability for potential homebuyers.

The Guardian​

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A wave of young adults bought their first home with the help of student loan pauses and remote work – but will the boom last?

Yahoo Finance​

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Elevated mortgage rates and declining homebuyer traffic is putting a squeeze on the U.S. housing market. 

Yahoo Finance​

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Builders’ confidence dipped for the first time in 2023 in August to a neutral sentiment due to rising mortgage rates and stubbornly high shelter inflation. 

Fox Business News​

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Home price growth slowed for the 12th straight month in May, CoreLogic reported. Still, home prices increased 1.4% year-over-year. 

The Hill​

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Maine has the highest vacant housing rate in the country, according to a new analysis from real estate website LAHomes. 

Yahoo Finance​

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The shelter index was the largest contributor to overall inflation, accounting for over 90% increase for all items.

Fox Business News​

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U.S. mortgage rates topped 7% for the first time in nine months after Fitch downgraded the nation's credit score, dampening demand among would-be buyers. 

KTLA TV​

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The trend of Californians looking to leave the Golden State in hopes of finding more affordable housing options elsewhere seems to be alive and well, according to a study from Redfin.

Realtor.com​

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Millennials are getting priced out and outbid by older, all-cash buyers, real-estate group says.

9 to 5 Mac​

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In 2019, Apple announced a $2.5 billion plan to help address the housing crisis in California in partnership with the state government.

National Association of REALTORS®​

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Foreign buyers purchased 84,600 properties, down 14.2% from the prior year and the fewest number of homes bought since 2009.

Berkeleyside​

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Berkeley approved nearly 900 new homes in 2022, in what the city’s mayor is calling "the biggest boom we’ve seen since the '60s."

USA Today​

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The Fed raised its key interest rate by a quarter point, opened the door to another hike. Inflation has eased but officials worry it could spike again.

Yahoo Finance​

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Homebuilder confidence hit its highest level since June of last year, reflecting enthusiasm in the market for new homes as mortgage rates hover around 7%.

National Assn. of REALTORS®​

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An NAR Member Profile report's findings clearly show that the lack of housing inventory is impacting REALTORS®' ability to find buyers a home. 

Cap Radio​

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A new research paper found homeownership fell 10 percentage points among Californians aged 35 to 45, to less than 40%. 

Yahoo Finance​

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The biggest case for a housing market rebound is coming from the new home construction market.

CalMatters​

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New research pinpoints how the California Environmental Quality Act collides with another state law to make housing construction difficult.

Newsweek​

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​The Fed's decision to pause its rate-hiking program could help unlock more homes for sale in California, a market which is struggling with supply.

CBS News​

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​Mortgage rates might be high for a while. Fortunately, there are ways to get around them if they do.

Market Watch​

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A survey of American consumer confidence jumped to a 17-month high in June, reflecting a slowdown in inflation and more confidence about the future of the economy.

National Assn. of REALTORS®​

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Americans living in walkable communities report a higher quality of life.

KTLA​

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Even with mortgage rates hovering around 15-year highs, home prices in California edged higher for the fourth consecutive month in May.

MarketWatch​

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​Construction on new U.S. homes rose 21.7% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. 

CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®​

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California’s housing market rebounded in May as home sales surged to the highest level in eight months and the statewide median price notched above $800,000 for the second straight month.

Freddie Mac
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Even with elevated interest rates and high prices, more lower-income households are finding ways to purchase a home — a bright spot in the midst of a challenging market.

UnidosUS
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HOME will address multifaceted challenges Latinos face in trying to buy a home by expanding market opportunities and providing potential homeowners with the resources they need to navigate the home-buying process.

National Mortgage Professional
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Competition among buyers over few available houses has made this home shopping season unusually hot.

Yahoo Finance
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The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday, but officials signaled they are prepared to raise rates again this year to tame stubborn inflation.

Mortgage Bankers Association
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Mortgage credit availability decreased for the third consecutive month, as the industry continued to see more consolidation and reduced capacity as a result of the tougher market.

Realtor.com
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Two of the nation's largest lenders are now offering mortgages that require just 1% down. Experts warn that might not be a good thing.

Zillow Research
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The everyday expenses of owning a home are higher than ever, according to a new analysis from Zillow® and Thumbtack.

CNBC
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Nationally, home prices in March were 0.7% higher than March 2022, S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices said.

USA Today
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State Farm will no longer provide home insurance to new California customers because of wildfire risks and an increase in construction costs.

Bankrate
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As affordability challenges mount, the nation’s two largest mortgage lenders have rolled out 1% down payment loans.

NBC Bay Area
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Report found that the second-largest markets across the U.S. can offer college graduates a higher quality of life and an accessible cost of living.

The Hill
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​The U.S. homeownership rate hit its lowest level in five decades in 2020, falling by 2 percentage points in 10 years’ time, according to Census Bureau data.

CBS News
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Home prices are rising in many parts of the U.S. Here's how to take advantage.

Yahoo Finance
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While the average mortgage rate remains stuck above 6%, buyers of new homes are getting a much better deal.

CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®
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A surge in mortgage interest rates and a shortage of homes for sale suppressed California home sales in April.

CNBC​

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U.S. home building unexpectedly rose in April, climbing 2% from March, as low inventory in the existing home market boosts interest in new homes.

CalMatters​

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A California exodus unfolded for the third straight year in 2022. What does that mean for the state’s housing crisis?

USA Today​

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Homebuyers win after Federal Housing Finance Agency cancels plans for an upfront mortgage fee based in debt-to-income ratios in August.

Realtor.com​

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Mortgage rates are poised to begin coming down as inflation is slowing and the Federal Reserve doesn't want to exacerbate the banking crisis.

Yahoo Finance​

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Fannie Mae’s housing sentiment index jumped 5.5 points in April to 66.8, its highest level since May 2022 and the largest monthly gain in two years. to face another large mortgage rate jump after the Fed indicated it intends to pause interest rate increases.

Redfin​

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Buyers and sellers are unlikely to face another large mortgage rate jump after the Fed indicated it intends to pause interest rate increases.

Money​

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​A new fee structure for government-backed loans could be a barrier to homeownership for many middle-class Americans.

WKRC

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Buyers are likely to face stiff competition and limited housing options for entry-level homes.

USA Today

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​If you plan to buy a house soon, you should be aware of these fee changes that will affect your upfront costs.

CBS News

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​The dream of homeownership is being challenged by high home prices and mortgage rates, leading some to consider renting a wiser option.

OC Register

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​An easing in mortgage rates is likely helping the housing market find some footing.

MarketWatch

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A survey of U.S. consumer confidence fell in April to a nine-month low of 101.3, reflecting nagging worries about a possible recession and a softening labor market.

NATIONAL ASSN. OF REALTORS®

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New report speaks to the value agents and REALTORS® bring to consumers when helping buy and sell homes that build generational wealth.

Reuters

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U.S. single-family homebuilding increased for a second straight month in March, while permits for future construction surged.

CNBC

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Mortgage demand dropped last week after interest rates increased. Rates continued moving higher this week, portending a slowdown in the spring market.

CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®

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Moderately higher interest rates held California home sales essentially flat in March, while the statewide median home price increased on a monthly for the first time in seven months.

CNBC

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​Homebuilder sentiment rose in April, as builders gained an edge from a lack of supply on the resale market.

CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®

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The California Housing Finance Agency has paused its California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan within two weeks of its launch, despite the obvious need and demand.

CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS®

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Affordability gap for Black and Hispanic/Latino households remains wide.

California Housing Finance Agency

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CalHFA anticipates that all funds currently available for the Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan could be fully committed as soon as April 10, 2023.

DS News

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Housing affordability remains near all-time lows and is a challenge for many homebuyers of all races.

CNBC

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Mortgage rates fell last week, but lack of housing supply is keeping buyers at bay.

CNBC

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After falling since last summer, home prices suddenly turned higher due to lower mortgage rates.

NBC Bay Area News

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A New California program offers homebuyers equal to 20% of a home’s purchase price. 

California Assn. of REALTORS®

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The Northern Illinois U.S. District Court has certified the class action of sellers suing NAR and seven corporate real estate brokerages that operate in 20 MLSs in 13 states.

Reuters

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Fueled by a third straight weekly drop in interest rates, U.S. residential mortgage refinancing activity climbed to a six-month high last week.

National Assn. of REALTORS®

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Most baby boomers are repeat buyers who have housing equity to propel them into their dream home and who are making housing trades later in life.

Redfin

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Homebuying demand persists as mortgage rates declined for the second week in a row, but limited supply is a barrier for buyers competing for the few homes on the market.

California Assn. of REALTORS®

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California REALTORS® urge Gov. Newsom to fully fund California Dream for All down payment assistance program.

SimilarWeb

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Among the real estate industry’s search sites for buying and selling homes, Homes.com grew traffic, and Rocket Homes declined.

National Assn. of REALTORS®

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Existing-home sales surged 14.5 percent in February, reversing a yearlong trend of falling transactions from one month to the next.

Market Watch

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Concerns over the stability of the U.S. banking system is spilling over into the housing sector as experts worry about credit drying up for home builders.

National Assn. of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals

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A new report from NAHREP found that Latinos formed more new households than any other demographic group in 2022 while also increasing their homeownership rate.

Fox Business News

Investors have retreated from the housing market, with purchases declining nearly 50% as they wait and see how low home prices will go.

Yahoo Finance

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99% of borrowers have a mortgage rate lower than 6% and some are choosing to rent out their homes instead of selling.

Yahoo Finance

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The failure of Silicon Valley Bank caused mortgage rates to unexpectedly drop, which could offer an opening for homebuyers and homeowners who have been waiting for an opportunity to lock in a lower rate.

NPR

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New recruiting and technology aims to change how home appraisals are done and by whom.

Barron's

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If inflation continues to slow, mortgage rates are likely to retreat, which could bring prospective home buyers off the sidelines.