Consumer

Internal dissent at the Fed continues. Meanwhile, the president extended his tariff deadline and the FHFA introduced a major credit score policy change.

Mortgage applications are up, but a rise in rates combined with job loss concerns and tariff uncertainty could kill the momentum.

Newly launched brokerage WithJoy.AI aims to get buyers through most of a transaction with tech, providing a big commission rebate in return.

Homes are spending more time on the market and about 20% of listings are getting price cuts, according to Realtor.com’s latest market trends report.

There has been a significant drop in Canada-based searches for U.S. homes amid escalating tensions between the two countries, Redfin data indicates.

Most clients don’t know what a typical down payment is — in fact, it’s one of the biggest misunderstandings among buyers, according to NAR research.

Despite falling mortgage rates and low unemployment, the combination of economic uncertainty and high home prices indicates the market slowdown will continue.

Bill Pulte is asking Congress to investigate Jerome Powell for “malfeasance.” The move follows months of criticism from Pulte and Trump over interest rates.

The changes, which include an overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act, target affordability and the housing shortage, the governor’s office said.

The bill’s advancement shows that the Trump administration and Congress “respect the voice of our members,” according to NAR’s Shannon McGahn.

More members of the Federal Reserve are talking about interest rate cuts, with some pushing for action soon and others concerned about tariff impacts.

As of June 30, home listings that aren’t widely available may be kept off the nation’s top search site, prompting a lawsuit from Compass and praise from others.

Many sellers believe they’ll be able to sell their home at or above asking price even as market conditions are shifting, a recent survey found.

Assumable mortgages have been largely ignored by the lending industry, but that’s a missed opportunity in an era of sidelined buyers and sellers. Here’s why.

Despite continued regional differences, housing affordability was sunnier in 43 of the top 50 markets in April, according to First American’s June report.

Negotiations aren’t expected to wrap up until September. Plus, the president dismisses inflation data as he looks for a new Fed chair; GSEs consider crypto.

New disclosure forms will help buyers and sellers understand who is getting paid — and how much — during home transactions, Northwest MLS says.

Mortgage rates continued to decline in another positive sign for the market. But new listings lost steam in June amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Two new agent surveys indicate that while affordability remains a top concern for home shoppers, the market is starting to favor buyers.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell wouldn’t commit to a July rate cut and reiterated that inflation and labor market shifts will guide the central bank’s decisions.

Though there was an uptick in existing home sales as spring progressed, last month was still the slowest for the month of May since 2009.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” a Fed official said. Plus, the FHFA director is upset about high rates; the Senate considers selling federal land for housing.

Remote work, high home prices and the rising cost of living are among the factors driving renters from cities as they search for affordable housing options.

The Federal Reserve’s current strategy is “the best thing we can do for the housing market,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters on June 18.

Home sellers can find much of the same value with low-cost brokers as they can with traditional agents, according to Consumer Policy Center researchers.

A new Redfin report suggests homebuyers may be seeking less expensive homes as ongoing economic concerns add pressure to large purchase decisions.

Futurist and former Google exec Steve Brown said there are three waves of AI coming — far beyond ChatGPT — and they’ll hit real estate in different ways.

For some buyers, even a small mortgage rate reduction can make the math work on a home purchase. Here’s how agents can help them move forward.

Home equity shifts varied widely by location, with some states experiencing gains over $30,000 while others had losses around or greater than that amount.

Though buyers continue to face high mortgage rates and general economic uncertainty, there are signs indicating the market is becoming more favorable for them.

The NAHB addresses housing affordability on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, Democrats are requesting information on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac privatization efforts.

Last year saw a record-high share of investor home sales. Meanwhile, smaller investors made new gains, and the Midwest emerged as a focal point for buyers.

Fannie Mae’s monthly survey indicates Americans are feeling better about market conditions, interest rates and job security than they were earlier this spring.

Mortgage rates ticked down slightly this week, but lower rates may not be enough to motivate buyers as affordability continues posing challenges.

Of that total, close to half — $330 billion — is tied up in stale listings as buyers remain hesitant despite rising inventory, according to a Redfin report.

With sellers far outnumbering buyers, conditions now favor home shoppers, according to a new Redfin report. Does that mean home prices will start falling?

Pending home sales dropped significantly in April, but lower prices and rising supply could encourage buyers to return.

Privatization of the GSEs may be imminent — though FHFA Director Pulte said they could remain in conservatorships. He also touched on fraud, FICO and the Fed.

Reporters from The Wall Street Journal and New York Times spoke to an audience of real estate execs about how they cover the industry — and contentious topics.

Existing home sales slid in April — and the return of 7% mortgage rates isn’t helping the depressed spring buying season.

While consumers have disrupted services like travel and transportation, that’s less likely to happen in the real estate industry, research suggests.

Mortgage rates ticked up this week, and it could take a recession to bring them down. But that doesn’t mean a home sales rebound is off the table.

A new report from NAR and Realtor.com found that households earning $100k or less can afford far fewer homes today compared to before the pandemic.

A survey by the Zillow subsidiary found that most sellers support broad listing access, and those who listed off the MLS were more likely to regret their sale.

In 2024, the age of a typical home hit a new high, according to Redfin. But buyers aren’t getting as much of a discount on older homes as they used to.

In addition to lowering costs, the 90-day pause could improve consumer confidence and rejuvenate the slow spring homebuying season.

A new report suggests mortgage rates are continuing to delay purchase decisions, but younger buyers are most eager to trade renting for homeownership.

An uptick in mortgage applications and stabilizing rates could be signs that the slow spring homebuying season has potential for some turnaround.

A rise in inventory is giving homebuyers more choices, but economic uncertainty and affordability continue to drag on sales.

Years of rapid home price growth have trained sellers to price high, but the market has shifted, leading to a widening gap between seller asks and buyer offers.

A new Bright MLS survey suggests a rise in inventory is making it easier for buyers to find their next home.

Fannie Mae’s latest report anticipates the market will remain sluggish until the end of 2025, but there is a potential for improvement in 2026.

A newly launched proptech company with Zillow roots offers tools to guide buyers through a transaction without representation or “agent pressure.”

Zillow’s predicted difference from March 2025 to March 2026 went from barely positive to down 1.7%. And ongoing economic uncertainty isn’t helping.

Listings transparency is critical for both consumers and the industry, and NAHREP supports efforts by Zillow, eXp and Redfin to provide access to all listings.

Economic experts warn home sales may begin to slow as concerns about the economy and fluctuating mortgage rates give potential homebuyers pause.

“Anytime we limit access, it limits opportunities,” an eXp exec said during a livestream highlighting ethical issues with the push into private inventory.

Fannie Mae economists are scaling back their price growth estimates for the year as mortgage rates hang around 7%, and some analysts believe prices could fall.

While most remodels aren’t driven by plans to sell, homeowners should consider the long-term returns and the upgrades agents say buyers are most interested in.

Independently of other recent tariffs, the U.S. is preparing to more than double levies on softwood lumber from Canada, and builders should “plan accordingly.”

Though the number of office exclusives is rising, a new report from Bright MLS found no financial advantage to pre-marketing a home off the MLS.

The number of households that can only afford homes under $300K far exceeds the supply at that price point, while there is a glut of homes valued at $2M and up.

Most first-time sellers who bought during the pandemic report having regrets, and many are preparing to give up the home they thought they’d stay in for life.

After Fannie Mae quietly tightened lending standards due to insurance shortfalls, some property owners have been unable to sell their units.

If fewer listings are publicly accessible, first-timers and buyers in areas where PLN-friendly brokerages dominate could face more challenges.

The nationwide inventory shortage — 3.8 million homes — is reaching a point of no return in some parts of the country though new construction is increasing.

With private insurers leaving — and a state-backed program on the hook for billions in payouts — owners may struggle to protect their high-risk homes.

For clients, getting an offer accepted might seem like the end of the homebuying process. A new guide from NAR helps explain all the steps that follow.

10 questions every listing agent had better be able to answer, from whether to list on the MLS or offer buy-side compensation to what goes into pricing a home.

NAR’s latest consumer guide tells buyers exactly what to ask a prospective agent. Agents should be prepared with compelling responses that play up their value.

Two U.S. senators are pushing for policy changes that would reduce “exclusionary” zoning regulations and promote local development.

During a livestream presentation, Bright MLS’s chief economist highlighted some of the most misunderstood topics or mistaken beliefs about real estate.