Mortgage rates are in free fall as economy continues to cool
While Federal Reserve policymakers had forecast 3 rate cuts next year, futures markets see an 85% chance of at least 6 rate cuts after a key inflation metric shows the economy is cooling rapidly
by Matt Carter Dec 27
Get packing: 10 places that will pay you to live there in 2024
More and more places are turning to cash incentives or free land to lure new residents. Here are 10 to consider if you or your clients are thinking of making a change on the cheap in the new year
by Ben Verde Dec 27
How cities and homeowners zoned themselves into a housing crisis
Los Angeles is one of many cities that dramatically reduced its own housing capacity over decades via a series of 20th century city planning initiatives, including homeowner-led downzoning efforts
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 27
Salt Lake City: The utopian community that (sort of) worked
Utah's capital was founded as a religious refuge and built according to spiritual ideals. But it has evolved dramatically, offering a compelling glimpse of what successful urban planning looks like
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 27
How our utopian dreams became the stuff of dystopian nightmares
In the 19th century, many people had a utopian view of the future, as well as fantastic visions of future cities. Then something shifted and we've been obsessed with dystopias ever since
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 27
Can futuristic utopias solve our housing crisis?
People have been founding new cities forever. It turns out, however, that building a successful city from scratch is harder than it looks — and occasionally takes a millennium to complete
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 27
The jobs, gigs and side hustles agents took on to get through 2023
From Uber driving to launching a print shop, agents came up with creative ways to supplement their businesses and stay entrepreneurial during a year of low inventory and fluctuating rates
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 27
US home prices tally biggest uptick of 2023 amid steep mortgage rates
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index posted a yearly increase of 4.8% in October, the fastest annual rate gain of 2023 and 'the strongest national growth rate since 2022'
by Ben Verde Dec 26
Loan subservicer Dovenmuehle Mortgage laying off 212 workers
Illinois-based Dovenmuehle, which collects monthly payments from homeowners in all 50 states on behalf of lenders and investors, is trimming staff at Lake Zurich HQ but not closing down
by Matt Carter Dec 22
New-home sales fell in November, but brighter days may lie ahead
Sales of newly built single-family homes fell 12.2% between October and November to an annual rate of 590,000, but lower interest rates may bring relief
by Ben Verde Dec 22
NAR must find a way to advocate for marginalized buyers post-Sitzer
According to Realtor Trina Gonzales-Van, additional fees to buyers, especially in marginalized communities, has the potential to create more barriers to homeownership
by Trina Gonzales-Van Dec 22
If I wanted to make $342,987 in 2024, this is what I’d do
If you truly want to have your best year ever in 2024, writes Jimmy Burgess, develop your plan of action and execute on your plan. Here's his blueprint for the new year
by Jimmy Burgess Dec 22
Keller Williams appoints 2 new executives before year's end
Longtime Keller Williams team leaders Wendi Harrelson and John Clidy are the brokerage's newest president of KWRI-Owned Regions and vice president of growth.
by Marian McPherson Dec 21
Lower mortgage rates failed to spur homebuyers into action last week
Demand for purchase loans has picked up in 5 of the last 7 weeks as mortgage rates continue a dramatic retreat from October highs on expectations of Fed rate cuts
by Matt Carter Dec 20
Toes in the sand: Real Brokerage adds 40-agent indie in Carolinas
Carolina Sky Real Estate operates in North and South Carolina under the guidance of Sheila Fleming and Toni McIntyre and is on track in 2023 to close just under 300 homes worth $117M
by Craig C. Rowe Dec 20
Zillow unveils top 10 markets where people dreamed of moving in 2023
The real estate portal pulled user search data and other metrics to find the top markets where people looked to move to in 2023. (Hint, the East Coast is really popular right now)
by Taylor Anderson Dec 20