Mortgage Rate Forecast: Volatility – but Going Up
What will happen to mortgage rates next week? No one knows. What will happen over the next year? Likely lots of ups and downs but, ultimately, higher average rates.
June’s Single-Family Housing Starts Drop 8.1%
Total housing starts fell 2.0% in June. Weakness in the single-family sector was partially lessened by a 10.3% rise in the multifamily sector.
Report Card: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs, which trade real estate similar to the way stocks trade business ownership, largely fell in value in June, though the decline level varied by commercial sector.
Advice for Renters Priced Out of Home Buying
For many homebuyers, their ownership goal seems to be kicked farther down the field with every price increase and mortgage rate rise.
Analysis: Hot RE Markets Have Highest Inflation
Inflation affects home prices – and home prices affect inflation. Metros with more departing residents – San Francisco, New York, etc. – have the lowest inflation rates.
Realtors and Technology: What’s Used Most?
Top of the list: smartphones, email, and social media or GPS apps. In addition, 19 out of 20 (94%) agents text customers but also call (92%) or send email (90%).
Real Estate Leads: Optimizing Ads
The “What’s your home worth?” ads carry less weight, in part because they’re overused, but also because today’s consumers balk at giving out their home address.
FEMA’s Mobile App Helps Disaster Recovery
Available in English and Spanish, the app helps people find updated weather alerts, emergency shelters, links to recovery assistance and more within one app.
NAR Study: International Buyers Are Back
In NAR’s annual report, 1 in 4 (24%) international buyers chose Fla. Nationwide, they spent $5.9B, up 8.5%, even as single-family home sales dropped 7.9%.
More Buyers Looking Outside Their Metro Area
1 out of 3 (32.6%) people doing a home search on Redfin’s site looked beyond their metro area, and four of their top 10 preferred destinations are located in Florida.