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After spiking close to 8% last month, 30-year mortgage rates have finally trended down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting, mortgage rates should fall more substantially. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Almost all mortgage rates are down since this time last week, and since a month ago. ARMs weren't very popular when mortgage rates were at all-time lows, because people wanted to lock in their great rates for their entire mortgage terms — in fact, ARM rates were higher than fixed rates not so long ago. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: ARM, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates have dropped substantially across the board, with 30-year mortgage rates back down to levels we haven't seen since late September. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Drop Drastically (-0.53%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.08%, down a whopping 53 basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Plunge (-0.56%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 56 basis points from last week and sits at 6.82%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.35%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.44%, down quite a bit compared to last week.

Persons: we'll, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ How the cost of homebuying and selling will change after landmark court loss over real estate commissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A recent jury verdict against the National Association of Realtors and large residential brokerages could upend the residential real estate industry. Here's what real estate agents, homebuyers and sellers need to know about potential changes in residential real estate economics. A bad time for bad news in real estateThe jury verdict comes at a time when many real estate agents are already feeling a pinch. At a time when home sales are already under pressure, "this lawsuit is just another punch in the gut for real estate franchises," said Bill Gross, a self-employed real estate broker associate in California with eXp Realty. Lawsuits focused on fees reinforce the general trend of trying to lower fees in the real estate market, Schipani said.

Persons: Max, Mike DelPrete, Bill Gross, there's, Keefe, Ryan Tomasello, Gilbert J, Schipani, we've, Glenn Kelman Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, realtors, Max Holdings, Federal, University of Colorado Boulder, eXp Realty, Tempus Fugit, Compass Locations: Missouri, Kansas City, St, Louis, Springfield, Columbia, U.S, California

☆ Buffett's Berkshire posts bigger loss as stocks fall; operating profit sets record
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Operating profit rose 41% to $10.76 billion, even as Berkshire's net loss more than quadrupled to $12.77 billion. "Against that backdrop it's not surprising that Berkshire's consumer and housing-related subsidiaries are seeing pressure," she said. "Berkshire is disciplined," said Tom Russo, a partner at Gardner Russo & Quinn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who has owned Berkshire stock since 1982. Berkshire's net results swing widely because accounting rules require the company to report investment gains and losses even if it buys and sells nothing. His $117.5 billion net worth ranks fifth worldwide according to Forbes magazine.

Persons: Rick Wilking, Warren Buffett's, Jim Shanahan, Edward Jones, Cathy Seifert, extol, Buffett, Tom Russo, Gardner Russo, Quinn, Cash, Berkshire's, Ian, Geico, Shanahan, PACIFICORP, Haslam, Jonathan Stempel, Ira Iosebashvili, Jason Neely, Diane Craft Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, REUTERS, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Apple, Treasury, BNSF, Clayton Homes ., Berkshire, Forbes, . Berkshire, Thomson Locations: Omaha, U.S, Berkshire, Omaha , Nebraska, Lancaster , Pennsylvania, California, Florida , New Jersey, New York, United States, Israel

Average 30-year mortgage rates were 7.76% this week, a three-point decrease from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. Borrowers wondering where mortgage rates will go next should keep an eye on the latest economic data. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Jerome Powell, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates have cooled somewhat in recent days, and 30-year mortgage rates are now the lowest they've been since mid-October. If the Fed is able to stop hiking rates, mortgage rates should recede a bit. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: isn't, Jerome Powell, Powell, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ China PMI: Factory activity unexpectedly contracts in October as demand drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s massive manufacturing sector has contracted once again amid weak demand, fueling calls for stronger policy support to boost growth. Fewer working days in October due to the Golden Week holiday, which spanned September 29 to October 6, affected the manufacturing PMI, according to the NBS. “The unexpected decline of manufacturing PMI shows the recovery in China is a bumpy road as domestic demand is still quite weak,” said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist for Pinpoint Asset Management. The NBS survey showed that new factory orders declined in October from the previous month, pointing to a drop in demand. Overall, “the weak PMI reinforces the case for stronger fiscal policy support,” Zhang said.

Persons: ”, Zhiwei Zhang, ” Zhang, Xi Jinping, “, Zhaopeng Xing Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Bureau of Statistics, PMI, Nomura, Authorities, ANZ Research, Bank of Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hangzhou, Liuzhou, Bank of China

☆ Brace for 8% mortgage rates to drag the US housing market into a 1980s-style recession, Wells Fargo warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US housing market looks like it's headed for a recession, Wells Fargo has warned. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Federal Reserve's aggressive interest-rate hikes could be about to trigger a housing-market recession that echoes the slowdown of the 1980s, Wells Fargo has warned. "Although mortgage rates may gradually descend once the Federal Reserve begins to ease monetary policy, financing costs are likely to remain elevated relative to recent norms," they added. Please Lower Interest Rates." AdvertisementAdvertisement"The plea for assistance from housing industry participants, both in the early 1980s and more recently, illustrates the severe impact higher interest rates can have on the residential sector," Dougherty and Barley wrote.

Persons: Wells Fargo, —, Charlie Dougherty, Patrick Barley, Freddie Mac, Jackson, Paul Volcker, National Association of Homebuilders, Jerome Powell, Dougherty, Barley Organizations: Service, Federal, Fed, Wells, National Association of Realtors, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Locations: Redfin

Rising interest rates have slammed the breaks on America's housing market, with home sales down 15.4% year-over-year in September, according to the National Association of Realtors. By controlling the financing, they can offer yesterday's mortgage rates, saving customers tens of thousands of dollars and moving inventory in the process. Tawn Kelley, president of financial services at homebuilder Taylor Morrison, told Insider that financing is an essential part of the home-selling puzzle. Then, there are forward commitments, another way to prepay interest rates that allows a homebuilder to pay down more of it. There are also float downs, which allow purchasers who lock in a mortgage price to reduce their interest rates if mortgage rates get smaller over the course of their mortgage lock.

Persons: Tawn Kelley, homebuilder Taylor Morrison, Kelley, Taylor Morrison, Devyn Bachman, John Burns, Taylor Morrison's, it's, they've, homebuyers, Kurt Carlton Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Census, Finance Locations: homebuying, homebuilding

Average 30-year mortgage rates remain at their highest levels since 2000, but they could start falling soon as inflation decelerates. If you're thinking about buying soon but can't stomach current mortgage rates, you might have more luck closer to the end of 2024. 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. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. Sky high mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing homebuying demand and putting downward pressure on home prices.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: of Commerce, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

The still-heated economy and uncertainty over whether it will cool sufficiently has pushed mortgage rates up in recent weeks. Average 30-year mortgage rates are closer to 8% than they've been in 23 years, reaching 7.79% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Average 15-year mortgage rates are also extremely high, and have surpassed 7% for the first time since December 2000. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ The race to create the 'Amazon of real estate' could change home buying forever
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

But after years of trying, the basic structure of buying and selling a home remains pretty much the same. Even if you accept a bit of intricacy, real estate remains a stodgy industry — and regulation is at the core of that resistance to change. Despite the best efforts of would-be disruptors to cut out this middleman, 88% of buyers this year enlisted a real-estate agent, a Zillow survey found. Short of a tech-enabled homebuying nirvana, there are some other changes that could make the process easier for consumers. Saul Klein, an early internet evangelist in the real-estate industry, told me he sees an approaching "paradigm shift."

Persons: that's, you'll, they're, it's, Mike DelPrete, Rob Hahn, DelPrete, aren't, they'd, pocketing, —, ClosingCorp, we're, John Berkowitz, hasn't, Berkowitz, They're, Bobby Bryant, Bryant, Rich Barton, Wendy Gilch, Gilch, Saul Klein, Klein, James Rodriguez Organizations: Companies, University of Colorado Boulder, National Association of Realtors, Ojo, Group Inc, Universal Locations: Washington, California, Georgia

Average 30-year mortgage rates are currently at a two-decade high. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.63%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.92% last week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically in 2022 and have been volatile so far in 2023, but they're expected to trend down later this year.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ We left Florida because it got too hot, too crowded, and too expensive. Now we live in South Carolina, where it's harder than we thought to make friends.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ryan and Jami Wilson moved from Florida to South Carolina with their two children in 2021. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ryan Wilson, 40, and Jami Wilson 37, who moved from Fort Myers, Florida, to Greenville, South Carolina, in 2021. Jami: We left Fort Myers in 2021 because we wanted to live in a more family-oriented place. We sold our house in Fort Myers for about $425,000, nearly double what we paid for it in 2016. Downtown Greenville, South Carolina.

Persons: Ryan, Jami Wilson, it's, —, Ryan Wilson, Jami, weren't, Irma, DenisTangneyJr, they're, that's, we're, we'll Organizations: Service, Fort Myers, Army, Ryan, Jami Locations: Florida, South Carolina, Fort Myers , Florida, Greenville , South Carolina, Fort, Michigan, Asheville, Greenville, There's, Fort Myers, Southwest Florida, People, Yorkers, Downtown Greenville , South Carolina

☆ Insider Today: You should buy a house now
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementIn today's big story, we're looking at why it's a good time to buy a house. RichLegg/Getty ImagesIt's a pretty terrible time to buy a house these days, which is why it's a good time to buy a house. AdvertisementAdvertisementInsider's Jennifer Sor detailed why it's a good time to buy a house. Part of the issue is that mortgage rates won't magically drop overnight. The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, senior editor and anchor, in New York City.

Persons: OpenAI's Sam Altman, Jennifer Sor, Jacob Zinkula, they're, that's, Gen Zers, who's, it's, Doug Haynes, Haynes, Steve Cohen's Point72, Leon Cooperman isn't, Arantza Pena Popo, carmakers, EVs, Tyler Le, Satya Nadella, Mathias Döpfner, Axel Springer, Jensen Huang, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: FBI, RichLegg, Norias Research, Investments, Ameriprise, Insurance, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Nvidia, ZTE Corp, Philips, NBA Locations: West Palm Beach, Fla, Tokyo, Oklahoma City, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

Inflation and hikes from the Federal Reserve have pushed mortgage rates up to record highs over the past year and a half. Mortgage rates will fall eventually, but there's still a decent amount of uncertainty in the economy. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: there's, decelerate, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates spiked dramatically this week, though they've calmed a bit over the past couple of days. Average 30-year mortgage rates are holding steady below 8%, but it's unclear if they could climb further and finally spike above this long-feared milestone. If it is, we could see mortgage rates recede a bit. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ The 10 cities with the most competitive housing markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The most expensive and populous cities are not the most competitive for homebuying, Redfin found. In these cities, days on market are falling, offers abound, and contingencies are often waived. AdvertisementAdvertisementEven though the uber-competitive housing market days of 2021 and 2022 are mostly behind us , there are still cities where you better bring your best offer. Redfin has uncovered the cities with the most competitive housing markets in the country. Redfin measured the competitiveness of housing markets based on the number of competing offers, waived contingencies, sale to list ratio, and number of days on market.

Persons: Redfin, —, Daryl Fairweather, There's, Fairweather, San Organizations: Service Locations: Omaha , Nebraska, Rockford , Illinois, York, Los Angeles, Austin, Boise, Fayetteville, Omaha, California, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Francisco, Redfin

High mortgage rates have sparked a renewed interest in adjustable-rate mortgages as borrowers try to carve out affordability in an increasingly unaffordable market. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.57%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.89% last week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically in 2022 and have been volatile so far in 2023, but they're expected to trend down later this year.

Persons: Joel Kan, you'll, Freddie Mac Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, ARM, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

ON TRACK FOR GOVT GDP TARGETThe recovery momentum suggests the government's full year 2023 growth target of around 5.0% is likely to be achieved. The key issue is what growth target the government will set and how much fiscal easing will take place." The statistics bureau said China would be able to hit the 2023 growth target if the fourth quarter growth tops 4.4%. Moody's Analytics has also raised its 2023 growth projection to 5% from 4.9%. The faltering property sector has hit some of the biggest developers in the country.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Zhiwei Zhang, Tingshu Wang, Frederic Neumann, Louise Loo, Ellen Zhang, Joe Cash, Kevin Yao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Gross, National Bureau, Statistics, Reuters, Index, New, REUTERS, Nomura, JPMorgan, Analysts, Country Garden Holdings, HK, Global Research, HSBC, Oxford Economics, Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Brisbane, U.S, Beijing, China, New Zealand, Asia

☆ I left Houston for a small Texas town. Now I own a house, my kids like it more, I feel safer, and my neighbors are like family.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Quiana Darling lived in a rental in a dicey Houston neighborhood with her two sons. She bought her first home for $324,000, put her kids in a good school, and has neighbors like family. I had no family in Houston, it was just me and my kids. Back in Houston, I had so many troubles with the Houston Independent School District and thought that Katy would be a better option. I will say, that's been the biggest improvement in my quality of life — my kids are happy and thriving in school.

Persons: Quiana Darling, —, Katy, I'm, Katy Katy, there's, that's Organizations: Service, Houston Independent School District, HISD Locations: Houston, Katy, Katy , Texas, Austin, She's

Average 30-year mortgage rates are down a bit compared to where they've been in recent weeks. Mortgage Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. 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. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: they've, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

This will likely allow mortgage rates to fall. Average 30-year mortgage rates dropped a bit last week. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Bidding wars over apartments are more ferocious than ever — and they're here to stay
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Yet one of the enduring legacies of the COVID-era housing market may be the proliferation of bidding wars for rentals. Bidding wars have periodically reared their ugly heads during overheated stretches in New York City's housing market. And while things have cooled down since the mania of 2022, in places where available rental inventory remains low, the bidding wars just won't die. Still, it's hard not to worry that we've opened Pandora's box when it comes to bidding wars. Bidding wars may feel distasteful, embarrassing, and unfairly favor those with the means to drive up already exorbitant asking rents.

Persons: Phil, Rikki Mueller, That's, I've, David Harris, Coldwell Banker Warburg, Harris, didn't, Frances Katzen, Douglas Elliman, Jonathan Miller, Miller, Mueller, Stan Broekhoven, Broekhoven, we've, we'd, he'd, They'd, wasn't, —, James Rodriguez Organizations: New, Coldwell Banker, Austin, Google Locations: Manhattan's East, homebuying, New York, Chicago, Boston, Austin, Brooklyn, New York City, California, Los Angeles, South Florida, , New York, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Manhattan, David Harris , New York City

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