(TNS)—The average credit score in the United States hit an all-time high in 2018, according to a new report from the credit scoring company FICO. The average FICO credit score reached 704 in April—up four points from the year prior, according to the semiannual report released in late September. The steady improvement in credit quality signals American consumer credit and financial health is strong as the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes make borrowing more expensive. Ninety perce

Amid market challenges like rising interest rates and inventory shortages lies another top concern for today’s homebuyer: affordability. Location can have a significant impact on budgeting and how much buyers are able to afford. A recent analysis by Zillow considers financial constraints related to mortgage payments across urban, suburban and rural areas of the U.S. Which environment brings more financial strain in comparison to others? According to Zillow, the urban setting.

The grip on inventory is loosening, with fresh listings sprouting up and the severity of the shortage starting to unwind, according to findings by realtor.com®. On an annual basis, there were 8 percent more listings on the market in September, according to data from the site, or over 465,000 new properties. The biggest boosts were out West, in San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle, as well as in Jacksonville, Fla. “After years of record-breaking inventory declines, S

Are homeowners warming up? With prices rapidly rising, homeowners have been reluctant to sell, fearful of being unable to afford another home—a catch-22, because inventory is limited as it is, and compounded further when homes are kept off the market. Now, their confidence is growing, according to the latest National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) quarterly survey. Seventy-percent of Americans are optimistic about selling, wi