Housing Market News
Affordability
The Suburbs of St. Louis Are the Most Affordable Place in the U.S. to Buy a Home
The Midwest and South are home to a majority of the country’s most affordable cities. A typical household in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO, a St. Louis
Starter-Home Sales Climb 5%, But Prices Stay in Check as Inventory Hits 9-Year High
Starter-home sales rose 4.9% year over year, increasing for the 14th consecutive month. In comparison, sales of mid-priced homes inched up 0.7%, and high-priced home
15% of Home Purchases Fell Through in October, Up Slightly From a Year Earlier
Homebuyers are getting cold feet due to high housing costs and economic uncertainty. Many are convinced they’ll be able to find a home they like
Typical Retail Worker Earns $37,000 Less Than Needed to Afford Typical Apartment
The typical retail worker earns $34,000 per year, or 52% less than they would need to afford the typical apartment. Rental affordability has improved slightly
The Housing Affordability Crisis Is Accelerating Fastest in Rural America
Rural homebuyers need to earn $75,000 to afford the typical home, up from $36,000 before the pandemic. Suburban and urban areas have also seen affordability
It’s the Strongest Buyer’s Market in Records Dating Back Over a Decade
Home sellers outnumbered buyers by a record 36.8% in October, giving buyers who were in the market room to negotiate. The number of buyers in
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.
