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If homes seem more expensive than ever, it's because they are — even after adjusting for inflation. U.S. homebuyers are spending more than double to buy a home now than they were in 1965, when the median home price was $20,200, according to U.S. Census data. In 2024 dollars, that works out to roughly $202,215, which is less than half of the $420,800 that a home costs today, per U.S. Census data. With homes selling for a median price of $20,200, a median earner would spend just under three times their income on a home. In 2024, the median annual household income is estimated to be $78,171, according to data consulting firm Motio Research.
Persons: homebuyers Organizations: Motio Research, National Association of Realtors, CNBC Locations: U.S
Home prices are on the rise again after declining for the second half of 2023, with 93% of all major metro areas posting gains so far in 2024, a National Association of Realtors report reveals. Roughly one-third of the 223 major metro markets NAR examined had a double-digit price increase in the first three months of 2024. The surge in prices is largely due to pent-up demand for homes, says Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "In the current market, rising prices are the direct result of insufficient housing supply not meeting the full demand," Yun says. Here are the 10 metro areas where home prices have increased the most so far in 2024.
Persons: Lawrence Yun, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR Locations: U.S
Americans say it’s the worst time ever to buy a home
  + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +4 min
Just 21% say it’s a good time to buy a house, according to a Gallup survey released Thursday. An overwhelming majority of Americans — 76% — say it’s a bad time to buy a house. Young Americans seeking to buy a home have been confronted by a toxic one-two punch of record-high home prices and painful mortgage rates. For context, in April 2019, the final reading before Covid-19, 61% of Americans polled by Gallup said it was a good time to buy a house. Mortgage rates top 7%Americans started to sour on the housing market as mortgage rates spiked and home prices surged after Covid.
Persons: ” Jeffrey Jones, White, , Lawrence Yun, ” Yun Organizations: New, New York CNN, Gallup, Young, homebuyers, National Association of Realtors, Federal Reserve, NAR Locations: New York, That’s
Home prices are falling in parts of Florida and Texas even as they soar nationally. Sale prices only dropped in 15 of 221 metro areas last quarter, and five were in those states. High prices, steeper mortgage rates, and supply catching up with demand help explain the declines. AdvertisementHome prices are falling in parts of Florida and Texas as buyers tap out and supply catches up with demand. AdvertisementThe takeaway is that a combination of sky-high prices, steeper mortgage rates and other costs like insurance squeezing buyers' budgets, and supply catching up with demand has resulted in prices flatlining or falling in parts of Florida and Texas, bucking the national trend.
Persons: , Fort Myers, Redfin, Coral Organizations: Service, National Association of Realtors, Fort, Fort Walton, Austin, Rock, NAR, Panama City, Homeowners, Federal Locations: Florida, Texas, Panama City, Crestview, Fort, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Lac , Wisconsin, Illinois, Kankakee, Rockford, Champaign, Urbana, Austin, Panama
Price growth was partially offset by lower mortgage costs, as 30-year fixed rates hung between 6.6% and 6.94% in the first quarter. That's a small win for buyers, considering that rates peaked at 7.8% late last year and were above 7% until mid-December. At the first sight of lower mortgage rates, that widespread price appreciation has returned — much to the chagrin of buyers who thought they were going to catch a break. Conversely, prices fell outright only in 15 cities, versus 32 in the fourth quarter of 2023. 15 cities where home prices are downBelow are those 15 US real-estate markets where single-family home prices fell from last year.
Persons: , Lawrence Yun Organizations: Service, National Association of Realtors, Business, NAR Locations: That's
The share of renters as of February who possess hopes of "residential mobility," or the belief from renters that they one day will be able to afford a home, fell to a record low 13.4% in the central bank's annual housing survey for 2024. Pessimism about future prospects comes amid a confluence of factors conspiring against the likelihood of renters being able to transition to home ownership. Moreover, mortgage rates have remained high by historical standards. Survey respondents expect housing prices to increase 5.1% over the next year, nearly double the 2.6% expected rate in February 2023 and above the pre-pandemic mean of 4.2%. Despite prospects for the Fed to cut interest rates before the end of 2024, respondents think mortgage rates are only going to go higher.
Persons: Freddie Mac, There's Organizations: New York Federal Reserve, New York Fed, National Association of Realtors, Fed, Federal, Market Locations: Manhattan, New York City, New
For many in the middle class, inflation is at the heart of this feeling. That's making people feel locked out of many of the milestones long associated with middle-class life. 74% of middle class Americans have cut back on non-essential spending, according to Primerica's survey. 46% of middle-class Americans said they've dialed back or completely paused saving for the future and 38% said they didn't think they could afford an unexpected expense over $1000. Buying a home may be the greatest example of a tenet of middle-class life feeling out of reach for many, and that struggle is very real rather than merely negatively perceived.
Persons: , Vincent, he'd, he's, Eoin Sheehan, Chris Collins, Collins, Jessica, they're, Kayla, Primerica, they've, Sheehan Organizations: Service, Business, Pew Research Center, Redfield & Wilton, Federal, Northwestern Mutual's Collins, Northwestern Mutual, Newsweek, National Association of Realtors Locations: Santa Barbara, California, Alabama, Primerica
What exactly goes into closing costs?
  + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +6 min
But there is an often-overlooked expense when buying a home: closing costs. At the same time, the Biden administration plans to take aim at so-called “junk fees” hidden in closing costs. New York, Delaware and Washington, DC, have the highest average closing costs, according to Bankrate; while Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota have the lowest. Lowering closing costs on your ownThere is one relatively simple way to lower your overall closing costs: shop around. “When you compare those offers, examine not just the rate itself but also the closing costs.
Persons: homebuyers, , Biden, ” Jeff Ostrowski, , ” Ostrowski, you’re, homebuyers haven’t, Brian Connolly, it’s, “ It’s, ” Connolly, Connolly, , Freddie Mac, ” Genaro Villa Organizations: CNN, Consumer Financial, National Association of Realtors, realtors, University of Michigan, NAR, homebuyers Locations: New York , Delaware, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota, Bankrate, AnnualCreditReport.com
Beth Ann: We planned on getting to California at some point. Beth Ann: We first started considering a move to California during COVID when we were sitting at home and couldn't go anywhere. AdvertisementEric and Beth Ann Mott said they love the access to nature and hiking in California. Courtesy of Eric and Beth Ann MottBeth Ann: You can't paint California with just one brush. Beth Ann: I think California will continue to be our long-term play.
Persons: , realtors Eric Mott, Beth Ann Mott, Eric, Denver, Beth Ann, We're, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Colorado, COVID, California Eric, Beth Anne, Beth Ann Mott Eric, it's, Colorado Eric, Everybody, they're, Beth Ann Mott Beth Ann, wouldn't Organizations: Service, realtors, Business, Kansas City, Berkshire Locations: Denver , Colorado, Oaks , California, California, Denver, Colorado, Oaks, Eric, COVID, Santa Monica, downtown, Los Angeles
Washington CNN —US home-price growth accelerated in February at the fastest annual pace since November 2022, a sign that America’s housing market remains tough amid elevated mortgage rates. Of the 20 cities, San Diego saw the biggest increase in home prices in February, a steep 11.4% rise, followed by Chicago and Detroit. America’s housing market began to recover in the beginning the year as home sales surged from decades-lows in the fall and homebuilders began to feel to more upbeat about the economy. Mortgage rates have followed suit, since they track the 10-year yield. Economists don’t expect mortgage rates to drop meaningfully this year, and they could continue to climb if inflation remains stuck.
Persons: homebuilders, Freddie Mac Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors, Treasury Locations: San Diego, Chicago, Detroit, Portland , Oregon
So he decided to move from his city of 24,000 along the beach to a town of just 900 in rural Arkansas. While many older Americans continue moving to Florida, some have told BI that Florida has lost its feeling of "paradise." AdvertisementLeaving Florida and settling in ArkansasNovak was born in New Jersey but moved to Florida at 19. His wife wanted to sell his 4,000-square-foot Florida home, as their kids had moved out, and he and his wife wanted to downsize. AdvertisementMilan Novak bought his small home for $38,000 a decade ago in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Persons: , Milan Novak, he's, Novak, they'll, Arkansas Novak, Novak Fulton, there's, you'd, I'd Organizations: Service, Business, Chrysler Dodge, South Central, Realtors, Novak Fulton County, Walmart, Social Locations: Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Edgewater, Daytona, Florida's, Willow Springs, Missouri's Ozark, Spring , Arkansas
New York CNN —The Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation reading is due Friday morning. Investors are nervously awaiting the report after first-quarter US GDP came in softer than expected Thursday. Stocks tumbled as the slowdown in GDP, coupled with stubbornly high inflation data, stoked fears of stagflation. Wall Street earlier this year expected that the central bank would ease rates as many as six times in 2024, beginning in March. Yellen said the weaker reading was not “concerning,” mentioning that measures of underlying growth were strong in Thursday’s report.
Persons: Stocks, , Ayako Yoshioka, Janet Yellen, Alessandra Galloni, Alicia Wallace, ” Yellen, , we’ve, Yellen, Read, Freddie Mac, Bryan Mena, Lawrence Yun Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Gross, Commerce Department, Atlanta, Fed, Thursday’s, Group, Traders, Bank of America, Reuters, National Association of Realtors Locations: New York, Yellen
HomeServices of America, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States and owned by Warren E. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy, has agreed to settle a series of lawsuits that could change the way commissions are paid to real estate agents. On Thursday, the brokerage signed off on adding $250 million to the mounting pile of damages won by home sellers who have successfully sued several brokerages and the National Association of Realtors over what they described as inflated commissions. That settlement received preliminary approval from a federal judge on Tuesday, and now N.A.R. will pay $418 million in damages and significantly change its rules on agent commissions and the databases, accessible only by those who hold membership to N.A.R. The settlement will introduce competition to the market for real estate commissions, driving down the fees that consumers are required to pay when selling a home and eventually lowering home prices across the board as a result, some industry analysts say.
Persons: Warren E Organizations: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, National Association of Realtors, The New York Times, Industry Locations: America, United States
Mortgage rates should go down later this year, increasing affordability for many hopeful homebuyers. 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. 30-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.17% this week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.44%, a five-basis-point increase from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.
Persons: Freddie Mac, Lawrence Yun, homebuyers, you'll, it's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron
A real-estate brokerage owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit over its commission fees, according to plaintiffs in the case. AdvertisementHome sellers had sued HomeServices of America, alleging it conspired to force sellers to pay inflated agent commissions. Related stories"As we move beyond this settlement, our focus remains steadfast on ethical operations, industry integrity, and delivering value," Kelly said. AdvertisementThe group of home sellers, in this case, had also sued other brokerages and have scored millions in settlements already. Among the payouts is a whopping $418 million from the National Association of Realtors that has shaken up the real-estate industry.
Persons: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices, Benjamin D, Brown, Cohen Milstein Sellers, Chris Kelly, Kelly Organizations: Warren, Business, National Association of Realtors Locations: America
While the spring housing market has been plagued with low supply, high prices and spiking interest rates, would-be homebuyers are focusing on new construction. New homes have more incentives and availability than previously owned ones. "There's more opportunity in new construction," said Nicole Bachaud, a senior economist at Zillow Group. Meanwhile, sales for previously owned homes dropped by 3.7% from March 2023, the National Association of Realtors found. With 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates sitting above 7%, homeowners who bought at much lower rates in recent years don't like the prospect of trading in their low rate for a higher one.
Persons: Nicole Bachaud, Biden, Bachaud Organizations: Zillow, . Census, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, National Association of Realtors, Finance, Buyers Locations: U.S
South Pointe Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. Climate risk is "always on our thoughts," said Habibian, 39, who moved to Miami-Dade County about six years ago. Despite that risk, 66% of Miami-Dade County residents said they'd never leave, according to a study published in the journal Climate Risk Management. "We try to be smart about it, try to be proactive as best we can," Arditi said of climate risk. Juxtaposed at left was one of the last remaining patches of mangroves in the urban Miami area, a living memorial to a once-thriving population.
Persons: Greg Iacurci, Daniel Habibian, Harold Wanless, Sonia Brubaker, Saul Martinez, Andrew Rumbach, Rumbach, Joe Raedle, Irma, Al Diaz, they'd, Steven Bustamante, Bustamante, Jeff Greenberg, There's, David Arditi, Arditi, Aria's, Jeff Bezos, Goldman Sachs, Douglas Sacks, Ken Griffin, Brubaker, Biscayne Bay . Miami Worldcenter, Chandan Khanna, Dion Williams, Williams, Dion, Todd Crowl, Crowl, We're, Erik Salna, Chris Baraloto, Rita Teutonico, Amy Knowles, Knowles, it's, City of Miami Beach Greg Iacurci Miami Organizations: Greg Iacurci MIAMI, University of Miami, City, CNBC, Cumming Group, Florida Department of Transportation, Bentley, Bloomberg, Getty, Urban Institute, Organisation for Economic Co, Miami, Volunteers, Florida Keys, Miami Herald, Tribune, Service, Dade, Risk, Yale University's School of, Finance, SEC, Miami Beach, Universal, Group, Aria Development, National Association of Realtors ., Miami Realtors, Amazon, Citadel, Resorts, Bloomberg News, Dade County's, Getty Images, Residences, Pointe Park, Fifth, Afp, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Management, Sunshine, Insurance, Institute, Florida International University Institute of Environment, Hurricanes, University of Pennsylvania, International Hurricane Research, of, Florida International University, City of Miami Beach Locations: Pointe Beach, Miami Beach , Florida, Miami, South Beach, Dade, City of Miami, Dade County, New York, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm, South Florida, Florida, Tampa, St . Petersburg, Miami , Florida, Southeast Florida, Miami Beach, City, Aria's Miami, U.S, California , New York, New Jersey, America, Caribbean, New York City, Biscayne Bay . Miami, Pointe, It's, Surfside, . Florida, Biscayne Bay, Miami's, Bermuda, Kampong, Coconut Grove, Brittany Bay, South Pointe, City of, Brittany Bay Park
Washington CNN —Home sales based on contract signings jumped in March despite elevated mortgage rates that month. Contract signings rose across the country in March from the prior month, except in the Midwest. Hotter-than-expected inflation readings in recent months are now keeping the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates anytime soon. Those are the so-called “golden handcuffs” of low mortgage rates. They began to climb in early 2022 when the Federal Reserve started to hike interest rates in a bid to tamp down high inflation.
Persons: , Lawrence Yun, ” Oliver Allen, it’s, Yun Organizations: Washington CNN —, National Association of Realtors, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Pantheon
Judge approves NAR settlement on broker commissions
  + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +2 min
On Tuesday, Judge Stephen Bough granted preliminary approval to the $418 million antitrust settlement in a Missouri court. Housing experts say the settlement may effectively demolish the current real estate business model. Under the terms of settlement, which was announced in March, sellers’ agents will no longer be required to offer commissions to buyers’ agents. While the settlement does not explicitly spell the end of the traditional 6% commission, split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent, commissions are expected to fall because they will become competitive and negotiable. If sellers are no longer paying buyers’ agents, homebuyers may be on the hook to pay their broker directly.
Persons: Stephen Bough, Matt Hanley, ” Hanley, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, homebuyers Locations: United States, Missouri, Minnesota
Washington CNN —Sales of newly built single-family homes in the United States soared in March despite mortgage rates remaining elevated that month. Housing market poised to remain difficultThe broader US housing market is expected to remain tough for Americans, with mortgage rates poised to stay well above 6% this year, economists say. The Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but its actions do influence them, and the central bank isn’t expected to cut interest rates anytime soon. “Despite high prices and mortgage rates, homebuyers have limited options on the resale market, although resale inventories have improved some over the course of this year,” Gregg Logan, managing director at RCLCO Real Estate Consulting, said in a note Tuesday. “The willingness of the major homebuilders to utilize incentives such as price reductions, mortgage rate buy-downs and paying buyers closings costs continue to support a healthy pace of new home sales,” he added.
Persons: ” Gregg Logan, Organizations: Washington CNN —, National Association of Realtors, Housing, Federal Reserve, Fed, Real Estate Consulting Locations: United States, Northeast
Real-estate agents' commissions have fluctuated between 5% and 6% of the sale price for decades, despite advances in technology and an influx of agents. The recent lawsuits, which accused the NAR and some of the country's largest brokerages of conspiring to keep agents' commissions unfairly high, could signal the start of a new era. If sellers aren't paying out commissions to buyers' agents, buyers themselves could end up on the hook. For example, what happens if the seller isn't willing to pay the buyer's agent's commission? In most states, the buyer's agent can technically just rebate that extra money to their client.
Persons: Austin Whitt, Whitt, , I've, Steve Brobeck, Sabrina Brown, they've, Michael Warren, Sellers, Prentiss Cox, it'll, you've, doesn't, Jack Ryan, Ryan, homebuying, Rob Hahn, Wendy Gilch, Gilch, I'm, it's, David Dworkin, Dworkin, Cox, It's Organizations: Realtors, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, Getty, University of Minnesota, MLS, Consumer Federation of, National Housing Conference, Justice Department Locations: Tennessee, Nashville, America, North Carolina, United Kingdom, Australia
The obligations of a buyer’s agent to youLegally and ethically, buyer’s agents have six key obligations to you. Obedience: While they can make recommendations, a buyer’s agent must follow your instructions, assuming you’re not asking them to do anything illegal. Such a body may be known as the real estate commission, the board of real estate or department of real estate. Find out, too, if the agent has availability that will work with your schedule, said David Kent, founder of The Real Buyer’s Agent in Charleston, South Carolina. It also may include what commission you will pay the agent if the seller of a home you buy hasn’t agreed to pay both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, which is traditionally how it’s been done.
Persons: , , Amy Lessinger, That’s, ” Lessing, Lessinger, else’s, you’re, RESPA, they’re, Jason Abrams, David Kent, Kent, ” Abrams, Abrams Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, National Association of Real, Keller Williams Realty Inc Locations: New York, Charleston , South Carolina
What does the dollar rally mean internationally? The US Commerce Department releases March figures on new orders for durable goods. The US Commerce Department releases its first estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product. The US Labor Department reports the number of new applications for unemployment benefits in the week ended April 20. The US Commerce Department releases March figures on household spending, income and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.
Persons: it’s, Michelle Bowman, Bell, Claudio Irigoyen, It’s, Samantha Delouya, , eMarketer, Ross Benes, Wall, Read, Lockheed Martin, Raymond James, Northrop Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Bank of America, Netflix, Verizon, Truist, Albertsons, The Chicago Fed, Visa, Tesla, Pepsico, Novartis, UPS, Lockheed, Banco Santander, Spotify, General Motors, Halliburton, Global, US Commerce Department, Meta, IBM, Boeing, Chipotle, Hilton, Ford, Hasbro, Whirlpool, Wyndham, Microsoft, Mobile, Caterpillar, Comcast, Intel, P Global, Honeywell, Gilead, Northrop Grumman, Valero, Capital, Nasdaq, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Citizens Financial, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, Bank of Japan, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, HCA Healthcare, Colgate, Palmolive, Phillips, Charter Communications, University of Michigan Locations: Europe, Japan, China, Roku
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mukul Lalchandani, a 44-year-old real-estate agent from New York. I decided to become a real-estate agent so I could prevent other immigrant families from going through the same situation. I've lived in New York for 23 years and have been a real-estate agent for over 15 years. One of the rules is that the seller no longer has to pay a commission to the buyer's agent. Here's what the new commission rules meanThere is a lot of confusion around the commission rule and what it means, especially for buyers.
Persons: Mukul Lalchandani, It's, I've, REBNY, they'll, towners, Sellers Organizations: Service, Business, National Association of Realtors, NAR Locations: New York, Hong Kong, NY
We could see mortgage rates start to trend down later this year if incoming data shows that inflation is coming down sustainably. 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. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.
Persons: Freddie Mac, they'll, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed Locations: February's, Chevron
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