Inventory shortages and pressing affordability issues didn’t suppress home sales activity in March. Total sales of existing homes, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops, increased 1.1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.6 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. However, home sales are still 1.2 percent below a year ago.“Robust gains last month in the Northeast and Midwes
In many markets, home prices have never been this high. About half of 105 metro areas studied were above their prerecession home price peaks in the first quarter of this year, according to a newly released study by ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate data provider.The metros with median home prices highest above their prerecession peaks were Houston (69 percent higher); Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (67 percent higher); Denver (62 percent higher); San
(From left) Julie Morris, John Peyton, Cammy Keiler Bjorklund, and Suzanne Zinn Mueller discuss consumer trends at the REALTOR® Broker Summit in Nashville.Despite beginning their search online—where one would assume home shoppers prefer an impassive browsing experience—many buyers are looking for some emotional connection in where they live and who they work with when buying a home. That’s why it’s crucial for real estate professional
Southwest Flight 1380 was traveling from New York to Dallas when an engine blew after takeoff, causing debris to break one window and strike a female passenger. She was almost sucked out of the broken window when Tim McGinty, a REALTOR® from Dallas, sprung into action.McGinty was seated across the aisle from the woman. McGinty told NBCDFW.com he watched as the woman—who was later identified as Jennifer Riordan, a 43-year-old Wells Fargo ex
Homebuying dreams can become real for shoppers in unmarried but committed relationships. According to Jessica Lautz, the National Association of REALTORS®’s director of survey research and communication, a report from NAR found that the highest share of first-time buyers who are unmarried couples was in 2017—the highest on record since 1981. Of course, there are significant risks when buying a home with an unmarried partner. But there are
Some places in the U.S. offer better odds of singles breaking out of renting and into homeownership. Nearly 83 percent of renters say they have a desire to buy a home, according to polls by the National Association of REALTORS®. But the reality is that many can’t afford to with rising home prices and mortgage rates. For singles, the move to homeownership can especially be tough.SmartAsset, a personal finance website, analyzed cities to find wh
The U.S. and Britain have issued a warning about Russian cyberattacks that could extend to individual homes. The warning was the first of its kind, The New York Times reports. The warning extends to possible cyberattacks to government and private organizations in both countries as well.The countries are asking the public to upgrade passwords and computer security to make themselves less vulnerable.Ciaran Martin, chief executive of Britain’s N
Residents in neighborhoods with high levels of limited English proficiency have significantly lower rates of homeownership. On the other hand, neighborhoods with fewer LEP residents have higher rates of ownership, according to a new study by the Urban Institute.“We are not sure why and how limited English proficiency interferes with homeownership, but this research establishes that it is a barrier on top of other, more researched barriers,”
Even though the costs of homeownership are on the rise as home prices and mortgage rates increase, more consumers say it’s a good time to buy a home. AJ Smith, vice president of financial education with personal finance website SmartAsset, offers three tips for helping buyers determine whether now is the right time for them to purchase. ‘Right now’ is not always the right time: Prospective buyers may feel pressure to buy a home before i
Women who work full-time jobs in Arlington, Va., rank among the top female earners in the nation, bringing in an average of more than $80,200 per year, according to a new analysis by personal finance website SmartAsset. “Today, in some American cities, women are earning large salaries, running their own businesses, and handling their mortgages with ease,” the analysis notes.SmartAsset pinpointed the U.S. cities where women are finding the mos
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