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East Palestine, Ohio CNN —Melissa Henry already had a lot on her plate before a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine about a mile away from her home on February 3, spilling toxic chemicals into the air. He currently has several properties listed in East Palestine and said there are about 14 properties total on the market, more than there would typically be. East Palestine is a good city. But they just got kicked in the pants on this one.”An aerial view shows a plume of smoke, following a train derailment that forced people to evacuate from their homes in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 6, 2023. Alan Freed/ReutersWith a population of about 5,000 people, there are roughly 2,600 residential properties in East Palestine, according to Attom, a property data provider.

☆ US foreclosure filings jump 22%, and repossessions hit highest level in 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Foreclosure filings climbed 22% in the first quarter compared to a year ago, analytics firm ATTOM said. Foreclosure activity has increased for 23 consecutive months after a federal moratorium was lifted. Foreclosure activity has increased for 23 consecutive months after a federal moratorium was lifted, reaching 95,712 filings last quarter. Now Illinois, Delaware and New Jersey are undergoing the highest foreclosure rates, ATTOM said. But while foreclosure rates are on a continued uptick, they are still significantly below historic levels.

☆ Homebuyers who fled to Miami hoping to escape high taxes are in for a rude awakening
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New Yorkers moved to Miami in droves during the pandemic — fleeing high taxes in the Empire State. But property taxes in Miami were among the fastest rising in the US last year, a new report found. Overall, the South saw much higher property tax hikes than the Northeast, the data show. Florida's unique property tax lawsFor many people in Florida, this uptick came as a big surprise, Insider previously reported. So, even if their home values skyrocket as newcomers flock to the region, the higher tax bills may still be within their means.

☆ When Is The Best Time to Buy a House?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

By Michele LernerAs with much else in real estate, the best time of year to buy a house depends on location, market conditions—and you. “But the best time of year to buy a house depends a lot on the type of buyer.”The spring housing marketTraditionally the housing market’s most active season, spring can be the “best” time of year to buy or the “worst” time of year to buy, depending on your perspective. Best time to buy for: Buyers who hope to move before the holidays or at least before the end of the year. Best time to buy for: Buyers and investors looking for a better deal. “Sometimes it’s the right time to buy a house when you’ve found ‘the one’ that feels right for your family and your circumstances,” Bloch says.

Then came the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train on February 3, releasing toxic chemicals into the air and nearby water, and he fears crashing the value of his home. There are too many unknowns.”Stewart, 65, recently voiced his fury and sadness about what he lost to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw on a February 22 Town Hall about the derailment on CNN. Homeowners are worried that in addition to any health risks from the chemical release, the derailment has greatly diminished the value of their homes. I think they’re going to be in the crosshairs of the accountants of Norfolk Southern saying ‘We’re not going to pay full compensation.’”Norfolk can afford to compensate homeownersPaying the homeowners and businesses wouldn’t necessarily be difficult for Norfolk Southern. Those values are only a fraction of the money that Norfolk Southern earns.

☆ Homebuyers, take note: 21 spots across the US where prices may fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Aj Latrace | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Real-estate data firm Attom evaluated which counties across the country are most vulnerable. Attom's researchers looked at a number of key indicators to determine the overall health of a region's real-estate market. Home prices that are out of reach for many locals suggests they are overly elevated. One is that the counties around major cities such as Chicago and New York are particularly vulnerable. Out of the 581 counties Attom analyzed, here's a look at the 21 counties that are most vulnerable to a decline.

☆ A housing downturn is causing a reckoning in the once-hot cluster of proptech startups that let homebuyers pay all cash and win bidding wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In that market, all-cash offers were king to sellers because they ensured quicker, stress-free closings. According to Redfin, all-cash offers quadrupled the chances that a homebuyer would win a bidding war. Ribbon has since paused its all-cash offering, but some of the other firms that Insider featured last year are still making all-cash offers. FlyhomesFlyhomes is a real-estate brokerage that featured all-cash-offer services for years and distinguished itself in December 2021 with a free all-cash-offer product. "The value to the buyer is different than in a seller's market," Garg said in the email.

☆ Made a profit selling your home in 2022? Here's how to trim your tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SDI ProductionsDespite the cooling market, many homeowners made money selling their property in 2022 — and part of that windfall may be taxable. While most sellers fall under the thresholds for capital gains taxes, high-dollar home sales or long-term ownership can trigger an unexpected bill, experts say. Here's how it works: Home sales profits are considered capital gains, with federal tax rates of 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your 2022 taxable income. As a single home seller, you can exclude up to $250,000 of your profit from capital gains taxes and you can shield up to $500,000 as a married couple filing together, assuming you meet certain IRS rules. However, you may owe capital gains taxes if your home profit exceeds those thresholds.

☆ The Phoenix housing bubble spectacularly popped in 2008. Countless signs point towards a similar struggle now. Here's how bad it really is.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Phoenix's housing market is quickly deteriorating as a pullback in demand triggers home price declines. And as Phoenix's housing market performs an about-face from the dramatic rise it had witnessed from spring 2020 through summer 2022, experts across the country are debating the possibility of the whole market imploding. And as of January 2023, area home sales are down 74% year-over-year, according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting. The Phoenix Valley — a sprawling desert metropolis that's home to nearly 5 million people — is no stranger to speculative real estate bubbles. Phoenix's housing market could be on track to normalizingDespite the numerous indicators of a weakening housing market, Phoenix may simply be facing a correction versus a crash, several experts told Insider.

☆ Rent prices have dropped the most in these 5 U.S. metros. Why it's cheaper to rent than buy in many markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Indianapolis; Carmel, Indiana; Anderson, IndianaMedian rent at the end of 2021: $1,300Median rent at the end of 2022: $1,700Rent increase: 30.8% 2. New Haven, Connecticut; Milford, ConnecticutMedian rent at the end of 2021: $2,250Median rent at the end of 2022: $2,800Rent increase: 24.4% 4. Naples, Florida; Marco Island, FloridaMedian rent at the end of 2021: $5,200Median rent at the end of 2022: $6,448Rent increase: 24.0% 5. Memphis, TennesseeMedian rent at the end of 2021: $1,800Median rent at the end of 2022: $1,695Rent decrease: -5.8% 2. Palm Bay, Florida; Melbourne, Florida; Titusville, FloridaMedian rent at the end of 2021: $2,300Median rent at the end of 2022: $2,200Rent decrease: -4.3% 5.

☆ Nanny sharing, co-parenting, and the YMCA are helping parents meet their childcare needs as costs rise and shortages persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

They're turning to a variety of options to get by, including nanny sharing and co-parenting. Unable to find or afford childcare, many parents are exploring all their options on the table. While she told Insider this is meeting most of their childcare needs for now, it's costing them $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Some families have tried "nanny sharing" — when two or more families hire one nanny to watch their children at one of their homes and split the expense. "It seems that it eases the cost a bit," said Wilson-Demarco, who says she knows some families that have nanny shared.

☆ A housing market 'trough' is around the corner and should be a welcome relief to real estate firms like Zillow, a Bank of America analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

High mortgage rates and home prices have put the housing market into a deep chill. A Bank of America analyst upgraded real estate stock Zillow from "underperform" to a "buy." A dark cloud is hovering over America's housing market with each week bringing signs of doom and gloom. The rosier view wasn't because of an imminent improvement in the housing market. That's hit Zillow — which earns most of its revenue from lead generation for real estate agents — squarely in the pocket.

☆ 5 ways to make affordable housing for all in 2023 — from construction laws to mortgage financing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Houston has been able to keep its housing affordable in large part because of just this, he said. Jeff Tucker, the chief economist at Zillow, also told Insider that the biggest hurdle to affordable housing was "zoning reform." California has already done this when its citizens voted to pass Proposition 46, which provides funding specifically for affordable housing. It allocated just shy of $1 billion to the multifamily sector, according to CCIM, and is expected to see $13 billion in private funds be pushed into affordable housing. In July, Ginnie Mae, a federally-backed mortgage provider, specifically focused on affordable housing, requested that a manufactured home mortgage program be extended.

☆ Don't despair, here are five US counties where homeownership won't cost you more than 15% of your paycheck
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cambria County, PennsylvaniaPercent of wages needed to afford a home: 14.1%Typical annual wage: $44,746Typical mortgage payment per month: $5254. St. Lawrence County, New YorkPercent of wages needed to afford a home: 13.6%Typical annual wage: $55,172Typical mortgage payment per month: $6233. Peoria County, IllinoisPercent of wages needed to afford a home: 13.5%Typical annual wage: $69,238Typical mortgage payment per month: $7802. Schuylkill County PennsylvaniaPercent of wages needed to afford a home: 12.8%Typical annual wage: $50,336Typical mortgage payment per month: $5361. Macon County, IllinoisPercent of wages needed to afford a home: 12%Typical annual wage: $62,686Typical mortgage payment per month: $625

☆ Home flipping profits drop at the fastest pace in over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It represents the smallest profit since the end of 2019 and the fastest quarterly drop since 2009. With that drop in gross profits, the return on investment fell to 25% from 30% in the previous quarter. With profits shrinking and higher mortgage rates hurting affordability for potential buyers, the share of home sales that were flips fell as well. Mortgage rates have come off their recent highs, but they are still more than twice what they were at the start of this year. Markets that showed the highest flip rates were Phoenix; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Atlanta and Gainesville in Georgia; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

☆ Home flipper profits are slumping at their fastest pace since the 2009 recession and the prognosis isn't any better for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Last quarter saw the fastest drop in home flipping profits since the Great Recession. down for the Warm and sunny places like Honolulu saw the lowest returns and cities like Buffalo saw the highest. "The high end market has basically vaporized, there's nothing there, " Sharga said, repeating the words of a flipper he knows. Those flippers have healthy profit margins even if the overall dollar amounts aren't as high as with luxury homes, he said. Meanwhile, flippers in cities with harsh winters like Pittsburgh — where the typical flipper made a 116.9% profit — and Buffalo, New York, had the largest returns.

☆ Don't expect a wave of short sales and foreclosures during this housing downturn — homeowners have too much equity
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Today's market has tighter lending standards, more assistance programs, and historic levels of homeowner equity compared to downturns of the past. "Historically, normal foreclosure activity means about a single percent of loans are in foreclosure," he told Insider. These initiatives paired with high levels of home equity — roughly $29 trillion as of the second-quarter of the year, according to the Federal Reserve — are likely to prevent an upcoming wave of short sales and foreclosures, Sharga suggests. The spike in foreclosure activity between 2021 and 2022 stems from the expiration of temporary financial safety nets enacted through the CARES Act. But even with this prospect, Sharga suggests that a substantial uptick in foreclosures or short sales is unlikely as many recent homebuyers have positive equity in their homes.

☆ The softening of real estate prices in the hottest pandemic markets only confirms that the surge in remote work created the illusion of a housing shortage
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Their presence led to a run-up in housing costs and real estate investor activity. But elevated home prices are "being misinterpreted as a shortage" says Erin Sykes, economist for Nest Seekers. "I'm not convinced there is a housing shortage, more so a mismatch of housing types and locations," she told Insider. According to an October housing report from ATTOM, institutional investors nationwide accounted for only 6.7% of housing inventory in the third-quarter of 2022 — down from the 8.4% seen in Q3 of 2021. As homebuyer and investor activity fades, and more employers call workers back into the office, Sykes says the so-called housing shortage could be on its last leg.

☆ An Ohio real-estate investor who boasted about his home-flipping portfolio on TikTok is projecting a $30,000 loss on one deal — and issued a somber warning to anyone trying to best the housing market
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Austin Rutherford told his 700,000 followers he will likely take a loss on a recent flip in Ohio. Real estate investor Austin Rutherford, who has over 700,000 followers on TikTok, has talked at length about the opportunities for wealth in real estate investing since the start of the pandemic. But, in a recent video, he breaks down how his latest deal will likely result in a $30,000 loss. The iBuyer firm OpenDoor has been losing money on homes in pandemic real estate hotspots Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix. Flippers see home values slidingA Pickerington, Ohio house that Rutherford predicts will take a loss in this tough market.

☆ More Americans Tap Home Equity for Financial Safety Net
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Veronica Dagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

As high interest rates drive up the cost of borrowing money, more people are tapping the equity in their homes. Americans took out $66 billion in home-equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, in the second quarter, a 40% increase from a year ago and the largest amount in almost three years, according to data from real-estate analytics firm Attom Data Solutions. These accounts, which allow homeowners to borrow against the value of their house, are making a comeback as higher rates make it less favorable to refinance a mortgage.

☆ More Homeowners Using Helocs as Financial Safety Net
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Veronica Dagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

As high interest rates drive up the cost of borrowing money, more people are tapping the equity in their homes. Americans took out $66 billion in home-equity lines of credit, or Helocs, in the second quarter, a 40% increase from a year ago and the largest amount in almost three years, according to data from real-estate analytics firm Attom Data Solutions. These accounts, which allow homeowners to borrow against the value of their house, are making a comeback as higher rates make it less favorable to refinance a mortgage.

☆ Multigenerational Hispanic households are under pressure as rates surge and homes remain costly
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mortgage rates have also surged as the Federal Reserve tightens monetary policy to curb inflationary pressures not seen in about 40 years. Roughly a quarter of Asian, Black and Hispanic Americans each lived in multigenerational households in 2021, compared to 13% of those who are white. "Latinos are more likely to live in multigenerational households," said Gary Acosta, co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. "But being a larger multigenerational family comes with complications if you're trying to be a homeowner," he said. For the Espinoza family, the ideal home would have at least three bedrooms, a backyard and proximity to employment and schools in Santa Ana.

☆ The new American dream is buying a house with friends: 'It's a co-parenting model, it's a co-economy model, and it's a really great friendship and support model'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-02 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"It's a co-parenting model, it's a co-economy model, and it's a really great friendship and support model," Pfefferkorn said. It's been "amazing and challenging," Pfefferkorn said, especially as both kids grew up, and one brought a grandchild into the home. "We're at a time now that our expectations for what success looks like is very different," Pfefferkorn said. For Pfefferkorn, the next dream is to buy an eight-bedroom house to turn into a communal retirement home someday. "My friend's mother is selling her house, and she has an eight bedroom house," Pfefferkorn said.

☆ The US cities where home values are most likely to plummet in a recession
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The report — published on Wednesday — is based on data from nearly 600 counties in the US. Nine counties around New York City were included in the top 50 most vulnerable. ATTOM spokesperson says a recession seems 'more likely' than getting inflation under control. On Wednesday, real estate data company, ATTOM Data Solutions, published its Special Housing Risk Report for the second quarter of 2022. The report listed nearly 600 US counties vulnerable to value decline, based on "home affordability, underwater mortgages, foreclosures and unemployment," the report says.

☆ Has the Phoenix Valley real estate market hit its pandemic ceiling? 7 industry experts debate if Phoenix's lofty home valuations are justified — or if there's a housing correction on the horizon for t
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-07 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Besides an overwhelming investor appetite, the surge in the Sunbelt's real estate prices can also be attributed to an influx of enthusiastic remote workers with deep pockets. "The Phoenix market was largely a COVID-19 pandemic market until about last summer," independent real estate market analyst John Wake told Insider, explaining that it was mainly owner-occupants driving the market. "In 2007, before the great recession, over 50% of our workforce was in real estate, construction, retail, and hospitality. Besides its investments into the biosciences and healthcare industry, Phoenix also has a stake in another global sector — semiconductor chip manufacturing. Eventually, Rounds forecasts a price correction of at least 25% for the Phoenix housing market.

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