Market News

Builders build the homes we buy and live in but they also serve another important purpose. They are a good barometer for where the real estate market is heading. After all, it’s their business to determine whether or not people are buying homes. So when builders are confident, there’s likely a good reason. According to the National Association of Home …

Spring is the busiest season for home buyers. So, naturally, there’s a lot of analysis of buying conditions as it approaches. Things like mortgage rates, the economy, prices, for-sale inventory, and buyer demand can all be used to get a feel for how busy or slow the season will be. One early sign came with this week’s Applications Survey from …

When surveyed, Americans who currently don’t own a home consistently say they’d like to buy one someday. For example, the National Association of Realtors’ Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey asked non-homeowners whether homeownership is part of their American Dream and 75 percent of respondents said it was. Which means, there are a lot of people who’d like to buy …

Orlando housing market closes out 2018 with an increase in annual median price, decrease in sales Orlando’s annual median home price for 2018 ($232,500) is 5.7 percent higher than the 2017 annual median price ($220,000) thanks to another 12 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases, according to the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association’s year-end report. Orlando home sales completed during 2018 …

Everybody knows buying a house is a major financial commitment. But you’re also committing your time. After all, if you’re purchasing a home, you’re likely thinking about staying awhile. But how long should you expect to live in the home you buy? Well, according to new numbers from First American, the length of time the average homeowner spends in their …

Affordability conditions over the past few years have been largely held in check by low mortgage rates. Potential home buyers could absorb higher home prices, since job market improvement had them feeling confident in their income and rates were still hovering near historic lows. But though the most recent data shows rates have fallen over the past few weeks, last …

A recent survey asked 100 real estate economists and experts for their housing market predictions. And though they had varied views on topics like mortgage rates, home values, and who will be most active in the market in years to come, they almost unanimously agreed on just one thing. A full 88 percent of responding panelists said they expect that …

Having a good idea what your home is worth is important for a couple of reasons. As a homeowner, knowing how much equity you have in your house can be useful when weighing your options with regard to refinancing or home equity loans. As a potential home seller, it’s even more important. That’s because, setting a fair price for your …

For many years following the housing crash, home buying conditions were excellent. Home prices had plummeted and mortgage rates were at historic lows. It was a buyer’s market and a good deal for anyone who could take advantage. Unfortunately though, since prices had fallen so far, many homeowners who may have wanted to make a move couldn’t without selling their …

That mortgage rates moved higher last year isn’t news to anyone that’s been thinking of buying a home. It seemed, just as home price increases started to slow, mortgage rates heated up. But, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s final Weekly Applications Survey of 2018, mortgage rates ended the year trending downward. The now weeks-long decline continued over the final …