Uptick in Lender Complaints Over Maternity Leave
When considering loan applications, lenders can’t consider maternity leave without violating a Fair Housing Act protected class. But complaints suggest some do anyway.
Hydrologist: The 100-Year Flood Isn’t What You Think
If a home in a 100-year flood zone was submerged five years ago, it’s not necessarily safe for 95 years. Each year it has a 1% chance of flooding, regardless of history.
Flipping Rates Fall as Home Prices Rise
ATTOM: Only 2.7% of single-family homes and condos in 1Q were considered a house flip down from 4.8% during 4Q 2020 and from 7.5% year-to-year.
Mortgage Rates Drop Again, Falling to Average 2.93%
Inflation hasn’t pushed mortgage rates higher because the market believes it’s only temporary, says Freddie Mac chief economist.
Zoom Entices Workers to Declutter Their Homes
The downside to Zoom calls? Hundreds of people see your home – and how well you clean. While 73% clean more, 18% feel “house shame” and use virtual backgrounds.
Housing Crisis Requires Once-In-A-Generation Response
Calling the current housing shortage “dire, with a chronic shortage of affordable” homes, NAR suggests steps to take but warns it requires a “major national commitment.”
Put Sellers’ Pets in Listing Photos? The Internet Loves It
On the one hand, it shows a home is pet friendly and great for families. It also draws in more homebuyers. On the other hand, it could suggest pet odor problems.
Single-Family Rents See Largest Yearly Increase in 15 Years
CoreLogic: The cost to rent a single-family home rose 5.31% year-to-year in April, up from 2.4% one year earlier. Detached homes rose 7.9%; attached homes rose 2.2%.
U.S. Home Construction Up a Tepid 3.6% in May
Builders added more homes last month, but the increase isn’t enough to keep up with demand. And in the face of rising lumber prices, new building permits were down 3%.
Bidding Wars: More Likely than Not in All but One Fla. Metro
May survey: In Cape Coral, 75% of sellers had a bidding war, as did over 50% of sellers in other big Fla. metros. Only Jacksonville, at 34%, had more non-bidding sales.