New Year, New Record-Low Mortgage Rate: 2.65%
The pandemic pushed mortgage rates lower in 2020 and kept doing so this first week of 2021. The 30-year, fixed-rate is down from last week’s 2.67% and last year’s 3.64%.
When Do Forbearance Rights, Foreclosure Moratoriums End?
There’s no standard approach. Agencies have differing deadlines for different types of federally backed mortgages. The result: Lots of confusion for the servicers.
Housing’s Future: Newly Built Houses to Rent?
Even before COVID-19, people wanted single-family homes for the space and privacy. Demand is even greater now, especially in suburbia; the trend is moving into Fla.
NAR Launches an Alliance for Property Owners
The alliance operates independently as “the new amplified voice of nearly 79 million property owners across the country who want a say in Washington on critical issues.”
Pandemic Heats Up ‘Long-Overdue’ Shakeout of U.S. Malls
Malls were hurt by online sales before the pandemic, but a big drop of 2020 shoppers has led many observers to predict that more low-performing locations will close.
Nebraska Agent Killed During Home Showing
A 70-year-old Omaha real estate agent appears to have been killed by a potential renter, Ross S. Lorello III, who police arrested based on evidence at the crime scene.
Housing Discrimination Survey: How Prevalent Is It?
More than 15% of U.S. consumers have personally experienced housing discrimination in rentals or purchases, according to a Homes.com survey. And 30% know little about six main federal programs, such as Sec. 8 housing vouchers, FHA loans and civil rights protections.
Future of Real Estate? Lots of Gen X, Millennial Buyers
About 12M new households will form by 2028, though total home sales could be as high as 25M since some will replace older sellers leaving homeownership for good.
Survey: Top Home Life Change of 2020? Disinfection
When asked about recent behavior “likely to continue for years to come,” homeowners listed “disinfection” first, along with tech use and backyard entertaining.
FHFA Extends Affordable Housing Goals Through 2021
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have marching orders to fund a set percentage of affordable homes, and those mandates won’t change in 2021, FHFA says.