archiveHousing

Over the next five years, although some trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to influence real estate and land use, other factors will also gain in importance. Among those are an aging population, the rising costs of climate change, a more unstable world and the expansion of artificial intelligence into new corners of the economy. As a consequence, even if the housing market gradually unfreezes as mortgage rates slowly decline from 2023's highs, the hottest housing markets in 2028 may look a bit different from early 2024.This is...

The ballooning value of property in America is exacerbating the gap between the haves and have-nots. As Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar said late last year, U.S. housing is facing a major dichotomy.  “It’s a tale of two markets,” she told MarketWatch in an interview at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual conference. “Homeowners are in good shape because they probably have a lot of equity in their homes.” Meanwhile, those who aren’t yet owners are clamoring to break into an exceedingly expensive housing market with mortgage rates not seen in...

The process of buying a home can feel intimidating, whether it’s your first real estate purchase or your third. The housing market we’ve experienced over the past several years doesn’t help either, as buyers struggle with unaffordable home prices, higher mortgage rates and limited inventory.The key to making it less scary is to know what’s ahead and surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals who can help guide you. Here’s a step-by-step checklist for buying a house:1. Understand the Current Housing MarketThe housing market has been extremely volatile over the last several...