Housing Market News
Affordability
Americans Have Gained $2 Trillion in Home Value During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The value of homes in the U.S. has surged 6.7% to $31.4 trillion since February despite skyrocketing unemployment triggered by the pandemic—further widening the wealth
In Areas at High Risk for Wildfires, Relative Affordability Lures Homebuyers
In the past eight years, the price difference between low-risk and high-risk areas has flipped—from a 2.5% premium in high-risk areas in 2012 to a
Condo Prices Climb 5.4% in August, Lagging 11.9% Growth for Single-Family Homes
Condos are facing relatively slow price growth as remote work, the desire for privacy and record-low mortgage rates make single-family homes more desirable during the coronavirus pandemic. But condos could make a comeback if single-family home prices continue to surge.
America’s Housing Shortage Is Intensifying During the Pandemic—Especially in Relatively Affordable Places Like San Antonio and Baltimore
Relatively affordable places including San Antonio and Baltimore have seen housing supply plummet, while San Francisco has experienced a flood of homes for sale as Americans flee dense, expensive cities
Homebuyers on a $2,500 Monthly Budget Can Afford $33,000 More With Low Mortgage Rates, But Higher Home Prices Cancel Out Increase
Historically low rates are motivating homebuyers even though prices were up 8.2% year over year in July, effectively cancelling out the increase in purchasing power.
A Quarter of San Francisco Home Sellers Are Dropping Their Prices, the Highest Rate on Record
San Francisco has seen a greater increase in price drops than any other U.S. metro, with the share of sellers slashing prices more than doubling from a year ago as the pandemic drives homebuyers out of the Bay Area.
The Typical Homebuyer’s Down Payment Is $56,000, Up 24% From a Year Ago
Over one-third of home purchases in February were made in all cash—not far from the record high. The median down payment for U.S. homebuyers was
First-Time Buyers Must Make $76,000 to Afford the Typical U.S. Starter Home–Up 8% From a Year Ago
Buyers must earn nearly twice as much as before the pandemic to afford the typical starter home, due to the one-two punch of high prices
The Typical Household Earns Roughly $30,000 Less Than Needed to Afford the Median-Priced Home—But That’s an Improvement From Last Year
Buyers need to earn $114,000 to afford the typical U.S. home—35% more than the typical household makes. But that’s an improvement from October, when buyers
Redfin Home Price Index: Prices Rose 0.6% in February, Marking Return to Pre-Pandemic Norm
While mortgage rates remain elevated, they’re not as volatile as they were at the height of the pandemic, which has helped stabilize home price growth.
Majority of U.S. Homeowners and Renters Say Housing Affordability Affects Their Pick for President
Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of respondents to a new Redfin survey say housing affordability makes them feel negative about the economy. More than half (53.2%) of
The U.S. Housing Market Gained $2 Trillion in Value Over the Last Year
The total value of U.S. homes jumped 5%, the biggest gain in nearly a year, as a shortage of houses for sale propped up values.
