Rising home prices and low inventory are putting pressure on first-time home buyers, but record-low mortgage rates and a hot market during the pandemic are encouraging many to jump-start their home search. In December, first-time buyers accounted for 31% of existing-home sales, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.Which places offer some of the best values for those entering homeownership for the first time? Researchers with reloca
Mortgage rates headed back down this week, continuing to hover near all-time lows. “As the market reacts to a new administration in Washington and COVID-19-driven economic malaise, mortgage rates continued to decrease this week, just slightly,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.Also, the Federal Reserve announced this week that it will leave both interest rates and its bond-buying program unchanged, both actions likely helping
Home buyers better hurry: This month may offer the best time of year to get a mortgage. But February can offer some of the best rates too, according to a new study from Haus, a home-finance startup.The firm studied seasonality, loan size, credit scores, and other factors that play a role in mortgage rates. Researchers found that in January, lenders tend to offer discounts of nearly 20 basis points compared to the time period between June and
Home seller profits are soaring as home prices set new records in the pandemic. Home sellers nationwide in 2020 saw a home-price gain of $68,843 on the average sale—that is up from $48,500 two years prior, according to new research from ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate research firm. Seller profits increased in more than 90% of the housing markets tracked, too.Home seller equity for single-family homes and condos represented a 34.7% return o
As part of last month’s COVID-19 stimulus package, $25 billion in federal assistance funds are expected to be disbursed to states today, Jan. 26.There could be a rush for funds with an estimated 14 million Americans are behind on their rent. Further, rental arrears in the country may be near $70 billion, CNBC reports.To qualify for rental assistance, at least one member of a household must have experienced income loss, significant expenses due
The pandemic is expanding the divide between those who are thriving financially and those who aren’t, CNN reports. Stock market growth is enriching the wealthy and they’re up-sizing by purchasing pricier homes. However, those facing unemployment in the pandemic and first-time buyers who don’t have equity in a current house, are struggling in the housing market.Homeowners with mortgages gained about $17,000 in equity in just the third quarte
Existing-home sales in 2020 surged to the highest level in 14 years, landing 22% higher than a year ago, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Friday. Existing-home sales—completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops—posted big gains year over year and rose by 0.7% in December 2020 compared to November 2020’s already unseasonably high rates.“This momentum is likely to carry into the new y
For nearly a year, mortgage rates have remained near historic lows. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to average 2.77%, Freddie Mac reported. Its lowest average on record was 2.65%, recorded earlier this January.“We’re now seeing rates fluctuate a bit as political and economic factors drive Treasury yields higher,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “However, we forecast rates to remain relatively low this year
For the fifth time, the Federal Housing Finance Agency is extending single-family foreclosures and real estate–owned eviction moratoriums on properties backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the agency announced Tuesday. The extension runs until Feb. 28. The moratoriums are in place due to the financial impact brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.The program was originally scheduled to expire in June 2020. The most recent deadline for the program
Homebuyer demand in ski towns is surging. Searches of homes in ski towns jumped 36% annually in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to a new report from realtor.com®. A bulk of that demand is coming from households already in cold weather climates, such as Northern states. Many are favoring nearby ski towns as they look for an escape closer to home.Seven of the top 10 ski towns seeing the largest percentage spikes in online views are located i
This website includes images sourced from third party websites including Adobe, Getty Images, and as otherwise noted.
