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For the whole U.S., the median rent is $1,406 and the median mortgage payment is $1,904. Cost of living comparison: Renting vs. buying by stateIn the U.S., the median rent is $1,406 and the median monthly mortgage payment is $1,904. In New York City, for example, median rent is $1,748, making it more expensive than most states, even though New York state's median rent is only $1,561. Median rent costs as a percentage of incomeIt's important to keep in mind that income also varies from state to state. Methodology: How we determined rent and mortgage costsOur median rent, household income, and mortgage payment data comes from the Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.

Persons: You'll, you'll, Grace, Molly Grace, Molly, Read Organizations: Hampshire, Dakota, Rhode, West Virginia, Alabama, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Washington, Survey, Business, Rocket Companies, Indiana University Locations: West Virginia , Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia , Arkansas , Mississippi , Indiana, Alabama, U.S, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Jersey, Mexico, York, Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, West Virginia, Dakota, New York City, New York, Hampshire

Mortgage rates are starting the month a little higher, with 30-year rates hovering around 5.90%, according to Zillow data. But if conditions hold up, mortgage rates will likely remain near their current levels through the end of 2024. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, Jerome Powell, you'll, They've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Today's, Zillow, ARM, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Fed, Mortgage, Association Locations: Nashville, Chevron

☆ China property stocks rally after major cities ease homebuying restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Noel Celis | Afp | Getty ImagesShares of Chinese property developers rallied on Monday after major cities in mainland China unveiled easing measures to boost homebuyer sentiment, following the central bank's blitz of policy stimulus. The Guangzhou city government said in a notice on Sunday that all restrictions on home purchases would be removed, effective from Monday. China Overseas Land & Investment and China Vanke climbed 5.06% and 12.89%. Mainland China's CSI 300 surged 6% Monday, after the index logged its best week in almost 16 years on Friday. The easing measures follow the central government's call last week to combat the property slump last week.

Persons: Noel Celis, China Vanke, Allen Feng, Gary Ng, Ng, Xi Jinping Organizations: HK, Afp, Getty, Mainland Properties, Longfor Group Holdings, Hang Lung, China Resources, ., . China Overseas Land & Investment, China's CSI, CSI, People's Bank of Locations: Guangzhou, China's, Guangdong, China, Shanghai, Hong Kong, . China, —, Beijing, People's Bank of China

☆ Chinese property stocks surge after 3 major cities relax restrictions on homebuying
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Chinese property stocks climbed 7% on Monday three major cities eased homebuying rules. China's property sector has struggled amid falling home prices, vacant supply, and debt. AdvertisementChinese property stocks got some positive news on Monday as three major cities announced easing of home-purchase restrictions. The surge comes after the cities of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou loosened homebuying restrictions, and after nation's central bank said it will allow refinancing of mortgages. The moves are part of China's new stimulus package meant to reinvigorate its slowing economy and weak property sector.

Persons: —, Morgan Stanley, Stephen Cheung Organizations: Service, Mainland Properties, Longfor, Holdings, Hang Lung, CSI Locations: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing

☆ 37% of couples use cash wedding gifts for the down payment on a new home, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

More couples than ever before, 87%, reported including cash funds in their wedding registry, according to recent data from Zola. Of couples collecting cash, 37% are putting that money toward purchasing a house. With today's housing market, it's clear why couples are funneling wedding gifts into a down payment. If you're coming into a substantial financial windfall due to a wedding, or any other scenario, here's the best place to stash your potential down payment cash. "If a client of mine walked in with $30,000 of wedding money, I would say, 'Let's buy you a bond,'" he says.

Persons: Homebuying, Douglas Boneparth, Mark La Spisa, let's Organizations: Bone, U.S Locations: Zola, New York City, Vermilion

☆ A record number of apartments are getting built this year. That's great news for real estate affordability.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US will see construction completed on a record number of apartments this year. The Sun Belt region in particular is seeing this dynamic play out. The US will see construction on a record number of apartments completed this year. They're now seeing rent prices fall, or at least remain stagnant as the rest of the nation lags behind. That means the market will eventually balance itself in the next few years, which will lead rent prices to once again rise, she said.

Persons: —, Laurie Goodman, Goodman, Austin, Chen Zhao, Zhao Organizations: Service, Housing Finance, Center, Urban Institute, Sun, metros, Dallas, Harvard Locations: Dallas, New York, Austin

This week — the week of September 29 through October 5 — is the best time to buy a home, according to Realtor.com. Mortgage rates are the lowest they've been in two yearsMortgage rates have dropped rapidly in the last few months. Average 30-year mortgage rates are now down to 6.08%, according to Freddie Mac — the lowest they've been since September 2022. Should you buy during the 'best week to buy'? So, should you take advantage of the best week to buy?

Persons: —, Realtor.com, you'll, there's, Danielle Hale, Freddie Mac, Hale, that's Organizations: Service, Realtor.com

☆ Home buying in the U.S. by county: Cost, availability, competition and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Jasmine Cui | Jasmine Cui Is A Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The conditions on the ground can vary widely across state and even county lines. The higher the index value, the higher the difficulty. A low index value, of 10 for example, suggests better purchasing conditions for a buyer — low interest rates, ample homes for sale. Chambers County, Texas, near Houston, is one of the 50 least difficult places to buy in in the country as of May, with low scores on scarcity, cost and competition. For July, the national Home Buyer Index was 85.3, nearly even with June and two points lower than it was this time one year ago.

Organizations: NBC, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Chambers, U.S Locations: Chambers County , Texas, Houston, Coconino County , Arizona

Unless the economic outlook changes, mortgage rates may hold steady for the rest of 2024. If they were to weaken unexpectedly, that could spur the Fed to cut rates more aggressively, which in turn could push mortgage rates down further. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data. But now that inflation has decelerated and the Fed is expected to cut rates soon, mortgage rates have trended down. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, They've, they've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Fed, Zillow, ARM, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Mortgage, Association Locations: Chevron

Sharon Kim partnered with her oldest brother and his wife to purchase a home in the suburbs of New York City for around $750,000. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItKim and her brother weren't very close growing up, thanks to a seven-year age gap. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItThe increased down payment gave them the leverage they needed. Kim, her brother and his wife decided to complete the majority of renovations to the home themselves to cut down on costs. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItKim estimates they've spent around $40,000 on renovations so far.

Persons: Sharon Kim, Mickey Todiwala, Kim, weren't, homeownership, they've Organizations: CNBC, Parsons School of Design, YouTube, Parsons, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey, South Korea

AssumptionAn assumable mortgage will let a borrower transfer the mortgage to someone else even if they haven't fully paid it off. Assumable mortgagesIf you have an adjustable-rate mortgage or a government-backed mortgage (including FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages), you might have an assumable mortgage. Finally, if you want to transfer a property into a trust, a mortgage transfer may be able to help, too. Mortgage transfer processIf you think a mortgage transfer is the right move for your needs, follow this step-by-step process. If the lender doesn't approve a mortgage transfer, you will need to explore other options, such as refinancing your mortgage or selling your house.

Persons: You'll, Molly Grace, Molly, Read, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Aly, She’s Organizations: Chevron, Business, Rocket Companies, Indiana University, Yale, Finance, Dallas Morning News, CBS, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Newsweek, US, Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, Mortgage, National Association of Real, Insurance, Texas Christian University Locations: Chevron, Michigan

☆ Mortgage refinance boom takes hold, as weekly demand surges 20%
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A steady decline in mortgage rates to two-year lows has current homeowners rushing to take advantage of potential savings. Applications to refinance a home loan surged 20% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "As a result of lower rates, week-over-week gains for both conventional and government refinance applications increased sharply." Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose just 1% for the week and were 2% higher than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates haven't moved much to start this week, and will likely wait for more pressing economic data later this week and at the start of October.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan Organizations: Mortgage Locations: San Rafael , California

☆ It will take more than just a drop in interest rates to save the housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But while lower mortgage rates may translate to more buying power for homebuyers, America’s housing market woes aren’t likely to be solved solely by rate cuts. But Enterprise Community Partners, the nonprofit where Donovan currently serves as CEO, estimates that the US needs 7 million new units in order to stabilize the housing market. “There are a lot of factors that have affected the housing supply and these are complicated issues to solve. “We’re not expecting mortgage rates to fall that much further, and we still think that the mortgage rate ‘lock-in’ effect will still be there,” Dougherty said. “Things will probably pick up as rates come down, but we’re not looking for a high-octane rebound,” Dougherty said of the housing market.

Persons: they’d, aren’t, ’, ”, Shaun Donovan, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, ” Donovan, Harris, Trump, Donovan, Jerome Powell’s, Freddie Mac, Charles Dougherty, That’s, “ We’re, ” Dougherty, ” Powell, that’s, Dougherty, “ It’s, ” Ryan McLennan Organizations: CNN, Housing, Urban Development, National Association of Realtors, Partners, Federal, Fed, National Association of Home Builders, homebuilders, Consumer Financial Locations: America, Wells Fargo, Houston, homebuying

Today, it is just over $3,000,” said Harris, who also serves as chair of the National Association of Home Builders. Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed offering $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers and incentives to homebuilders to construct more housing for first-time homebuyers. Former President Donald Trump has said he would lower housing costs by opening federal land to development, rolling back regulations and reducing overall inflation. But homebuilders say they face a web of challenges that have been nearly two decades in the making and will likely take years to resolve. One major barrier to driving down prices and increasing supply has been a shortage of workers, homebuilders said.

Persons: Carl Harris, ”, Harris, — he’s, Mike Forsum, Freddie Mac, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, “, Robert Dietz, It’s, Dietz, Sheryl Palmer, homebuilder Taylor Morrison, homebuilders, we’ve, Palmer, Forsum, “ I’m, Homebuilders, Taylor Morrison, They’ve, that’s, ” Harris, “ It’s Organizations: National Association of Home Builders, Landsea, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Wichita , Kansas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Raleigh , North Carolina, Dallas, ”, Sacramento , California, Texas, Fort Worth , Texas, Phoenix, Buckeye, Orlando , Florida, In Wichita

Now that the Fed has cut rates, mortgage rates may not drop much further in the near term. But if the Fed doesn't lower rates as much as expected this year, mortgage rates may hold steady or even inch up. But rates are still expected to come down further, so it may also be worth waiting to see how low mortgage rates go. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, you'll, they've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Wednesday, National Association of Realtors, Consumers, Zillow, ARM, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Fed, Mortgage, Association Locations: Chevron

Stocks surged to open Thursday trading in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it was lowering interest rates by half a percentage point. The Fed’s cut was widely expected, but came in larger than many analysts were forecasting. “The continued decline in mortgage rates is giving the mortgage market a much-needed boost,” Bob Broeksmit, the president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said in a statement. At the same time, a growing set of indicators suggest economic growth may have begun heading in the wrong direction. “The Fed has signaled a high sensitivity to labor-market weakness,” Nomura Holdings financial group said in a note to clients Thursday.

Persons: Stocks, Jay Powell, ” Powell, It’s, “, Bob Broeksmit, ”, Powell Organizations: Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Fed, Mortgage Bankers Association, ” Nomura Holdings, Wall Street, Bank of America Locations: U.S

☆ When Bay Area rent got too expensive, I bought a house in the mountains. Living here is a dream, but I'm uncertain about the future.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I'm the cofounder and CEO of Santa Cruz Fungi. I live in Boulder Creek, California, and my business is headquartered in Santa Cruz. In May 2016, I bought a home for my husband, Paul Lazazzera, and me in Boulder Creek. We married the following year, and Paul started our business in 2021. I had to go over my budget and closed at $535,000 almost a year later on a 740-square-foot house set on half an acre in Boulder Creek.

Persons: —, Katie Sarna, It's, I've, Paul Lazazzera, Paul, Katie, I'd, Shroomsicles, Rida, There's, Lauryn Haas Organizations: Service, Santa Cruz Fungi, Business, lhaas Locations: Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek , California, San Francisco, Boulder Creek, Boulder, Paul, Katie Sarna Boulder, It's, New York City, Francisco

☆ What to do with your money as interest rates drop
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The last time the Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates was in 2020. Read more on buying a house after interest rates drop »Read more on refinance rates after an interest rate drop »Your savings ratesExpect: Savings account and CD rates to start falling. Remember, though: High-yielding money market and savings accounts continue to outearn regular bank accounts even as rates drop. Read more on savings rates after an interest rate drop »Compare Banking OffersYour investmentsExpect: Short-term fluctuations that shouldn't affect long-term strategies. Read more on investing after an interest rate drop »Your credit card debtExpect: More of the same.

Persons: We're, Read, you've Organizations: Federal Reserve Board, Fed, overreacting, Federal

☆ 3 couples who recently got mortgage interest rates under 3% share how they did it
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Read previewOver the past few years, US mortgage rates have fluctuated wildly, leaving both homebuyers and sellers scrambling. AdvertisementThis can lead to significantly lower interest rates, making monthly mortgage payments more affordable and saving thousands over the life of the loan. The Federal Open Market Committee, which oversees US monetary policy, is expected to cut interest rates at its meeting this week. This could lead to further declines in mortgage rates in the coming months. Here are the stories of three homebuying couples who secured mortgage rates below 3% since March 2023 using assumable mortgages.

Persons: —, Louis, Freddie Mac, aren't, Grace Lucchese, Mickey Ricard, Boston —, Lucchese, Ricard, Riccard, Brian Sankey, Fort Knox, Sankey, Brian Sankey Sankey, wouldn't, Amy Yzaguirre, Yzaguirre, I've Organizations: Service, Federal, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of St, Business, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Market Committee, Boston, Lucchese, assumable Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Army, Toyota Tacoma Locations: Lucchese's, Sudbury , Massachusetts, Boston, couple's Massachusetts, Elizabethtown , Kentucky, Fort, Elizabethtown, Oregon, Idaho, Tigard, Portland, Sherwood

The median house price in the U.S. is now 5.8 times more than the median annual income of $80,000. That was, after all, the median price for a house in the area at the time. Jonathan OchartThe median price of a home in Los Angeles county is just under $960,000, according to Zillow listings data. It's just not a level playing field," says Ochart about the income now needed to afford a home. In Grand Rapids, median home prices were on the rise before the pandemic and then soared 54% from 2020 to $285,000 in June 2024, according to Zillow sales data.

Persons: Kelcie Lesko, Tim Khalil, Lesko, Khalil, they'll, Gen Xers, What's, — there's, they're, Daryl Fairweather, Kelly Diehr, homebuyers, you'd, Diehr, Jonathan Ochart, Ochart, It's, Timothy Ham, Timothy Ham couldn't, Ham, you've, That's, boomer, it's, Lawrence Yun, Millennials, Ramit Sethi, Rich, Brad Klontz, homebuying Organizations: CNBC, Homes, LA, National Association of Realtors, NAR Locations: New Jersey, Monmouth County, North Brunswick, Lesko, homeownership, U.S, Denver, Brazil, Los Angeles and New York, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Antonio, Texas, LA, Boise , Idaho, Tacoma , Washington, Grand Rapids , Michigan, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo

☆ Here’s what you should know about buying a home ahead of a likely interest rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

While the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its actions affect borrowing costs throughout the economy. The most apparent effect: An interest rate cut could help ease the upward pressure on mortgage rates, making one piece of the homebuying equation more affordable. Most investors are betting that the Fed will cut its benchmark interest rate by just a quarter-point on Wednesday. Some financial advisers counsel to wait until you can get a mortgage rate that is a full percentage point below the rate you’re already paying, said Fairweather. “If you got a 7.5% mortgage rate, you may already be in the money to refinance,” she said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s, “, it’s, Fairweather, We’re, Greg McBride, “ It’s, Leo Pareja Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, homebuyers, National Association of Realtors, Bankrate, eXp Realty Locations: Wells, ”

Mortgage rates probably won't drop much further if the Fed cuts rates, unless central bankers opt for a larger-than-expected cut. 30-Year Mortgage RatesAverage 30-year mortgage rates have been dropping this month and are now down near 5.70%, according to Zillow data. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, they've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, ARM, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Fed, Mortgage, Association Locations: Chevron

The Fed is expected to cut rates multiple times this year and in 2025, which means mortgage rates should continue decreasing. Will mortgage rates drop when the Fed cuts rates? If he or other Fed officials indicate that bigger rate cuts could be coming, mortgage rates may inch down. How Fed rate cuts affect mortgage ratesChanges to the federal funds rate don't directly impact mortgages, but mortgage rates tend to trend up when the Fed raises rates and go down when it lowers rates. The Fed could lower rates substantially by the time we reach the 2025 buying season, which means mortgage rates may be a lot lower, too.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Dan Burnett, Burnett, Jerome Powell, Powell, Fannie Mae, Scott Haymore Organizations: Fed, Federal Reserve, Housing Survey, TD Bank

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.35% on August 29 from 6.46% a week ago, the lowest mortgage rates have been in 15 months, according to Freddie Mac. "I bought a house when [the mortgage rate] was 15% and then I refinanced." "No bank is ever going to give you a true no closing cost loan at the lowest possible rate. And buying with the goal of refinancing is always taking a gamble on mortgage rates, which comes with a certain amount of risk. Even though recent declines in mortgage rates may gain steam as the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, lower mortgage rates could also boost homebuying demand, which would push prices higher.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Jacob Channel, Dottie Herman, Douglas Elliman, I've, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Banks, Cohn, Keith Gumbinger, Michael Krowe, Krowe Organizations: Brigade, Getty, Federal, LendingTree, Fed, William Raveis Mortgage, HSH.com, Edelman Locations: New York

The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 6.46% this week, according to Freddie Mac. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.46% this week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 5.62% this week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a four-basis-point decrease from the previous week. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

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