Housing Market News
Affordability
Homebuyer Interest in Rural Areas Rises, With Prices Up 11% in July
There’s more demand—and less supply—for rural and suburban neighborhoods than cities as the pandemic influences homebuyer preferences. Still, prices are up 6.7% in urban areas.
Homeownership Hits Highest Level Since 2008 Driven by Younger, First-Time Buyers
Many renters who were planning a purchase in the next few years, have opted to go ahead and buy now given historically low rates.
Prices of Affordable Homes Have Jumped 5.5% During the Pandemic
Prices of the most affordable third of homes in the U.S. climbed 5.5% year over year during the 12 weeks ending May 31, while prices of the most expensive third of homes increased just 2%.
Shortfall in New Supply of Homes for Sale Felt Most Acutely at the High End
Between mid-March and mid-April, the new supply of homes for sale over $1 million fell 29 points from the year prior.
Homebuyers Confront Credit Crunch as Coronavirus Puts Lenders on Edge
As the coronavirus pandemic sends shockwaves through the U.S. economy, banks are fighting financial uncertainty with stricter mortgage lending requirements, making it harder for house hunters to get their hands on home loans.
Stimulus Checks and Housing: How Far $1,200 Goes for Homeowners and Renters Across the US
More than three-quarters of US renters could pay one month’s worth of housing expenses with $1,200, compared with nearly half of homeowners.
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.
