Mortgage rates roused this week, with the average 30-year, fixed mortgage at a 4.54 percent rate, up from 4.52 percent the prior week, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The average 15-year, fixed mortgage rate was 4.02 percent, up from 4 percent the prior week, and the five-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable mortgage rate was 3.87 percent, unchanged. “The next few months will be key for gauging the health of the housing market,” says Sa

The following information is provided by the Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD). NAR has been administering its annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers survey since 1981. The survey has grown from 59 to 131 questions, and gives us great insight into the trends, wants and needs associated with the most significant financial decision of most people’s lives: purchasing a primary residence for themselves and their families. In this article, we’re going to dig in a little dee

Buyers have their eyes on schools, and with the irrefutable link between the quality of schools and values, a district with high ratings trumps all—even coveted features of a home, according to a new realtor.com® survey. To get into their desired district, 78 percent of the homebuyers surveyed had to let go of something on their wish list. When asked what they would compromise on, approximately one-fifth (19 percent) of respondents would forgo a garage, while 17 percent would

Millennials should be making a sizable stamp in homeownership, but they have been largely absent from the housing space. Why is it that the largest generation in U.S. history isn’t participating in real estate as heavily as its predecessors? There are many difficulties standing in their way, according to new research. A recent report by the Urban Institute, “Millennial Homeownership: Why Is It So Low, and How Can We Increase It?” delves deeper into the generational home-buyin

Builder confidence is healthy, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The Index reading is 68; an above-50 reading indicates more builders have a positive outlook than a negative one. “Consumer demand for single-family homes is holding strong this summer, buoyed by steady job growth, income gains and low unemployment in many parts of the country,” said Randy Noel, chairman of the NAHB, in a statement. “Buil

Against discouragingly inadequate inventory and high prices, buyers are finding a way, according to a new survey. Fifty-one percent of homebuyers did not pay above asking price, despite concerns over multiple-offer scenarios, 42 percent made one or two offers, at most, and 34 percent were “unfazed” by the increases in prices and rates, according to a realtor.com® survey. With close-to-impossible odds, what’s their secret? More than 30 percent of homebuyers had more than 20 pe

Home-building in June sharply slid, with overall starts toppling 12.3 percent, and single-family starts tumbling 9.1 percent, according to the Commerce Department. Housing starts totaled 1.17 million, with 304,000 multifamily (five or units or more) starts and 858,000 single-family starts. Additionally, approvals for builds fell 2.2 percent to 1.27 million permits; however, approvals for single-family starts were up, 0.8 percent to 850,000. Approvals for multifamily starts ca

Don't think it's too early to get prequalified So, you're just going to go out "looking" at houses, you say? The time when you just expect to drive around a little and maybe visit an open house or two is obviously the time when you're going to fall in love with a house and want to make a move on it right away. If you're not already prequalified with a lender, you may not have a chance at it. Competition is fierce across the country thanks to low inventory, and well-maintained

Homebuyers and sellers are seeking sustainable solutions in their homes and communities. NAR Research supports that homeowners, buyers, and sellers (or ‘consumers’) want to live in homes that are comfortable, safe, low maintenance, and affordable. Each of these are benefits of greener homes. The REALTORS® & Sustainability Report includes many highlights, including data on top market issues and growing client interest in sustainability.

Don’t Restrict Access if Possible One of the best showing tips for selling a home is being exceptionally flexible! When selling a home if