Mortgage demand drops as interest rates soar over 7%

Mortgage demand drops as interest rates soar over 7%

A residential real estate sold sign is seen in Washington, D.C.  Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images Mortgage rates rose for the third straight week last week, hitting the highest level since November. As a result, mortgage application demand dropped 2.7% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted … Read more

Why homeownership may not be for everyone

Why homeownership may not be for everyone

Jannese Torres is the founder of the blog Delish D’Lites and the podcast “Yo Quiero Dinero.” Photo Jannese Torres In her upcoming book, “Financially Lit!: The Modern Latina’s Guide to Level Up Your Dinero & Become Financially Poderosa,” author Jannese Torres discusses how she became the first woman in her family to graduate from college, … Read more

Mortgage rates hit highest level of the year, and could go even higher

Mortgage rates hit highest level of the year, and could go even higher

Homes in Rocklin, California, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage crossed over 7% on April 1, according to Mortgage News Daily, and it just kept going. It now sits right around 7.5%, the highest level since mid-November of last … Read more

March homes sales dropped despite a surge in supply. Here’s why.

March homes sales dropped despite a surge in supply. Here’s why.

Prospective buyers attend an open house at a home for sale in Larchmont, New York, US, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.  Tiffany Hagler-Geard | Bloomberg | Getty Images Sales of previously-owned homes dropped 4.3% in March compared with February, to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 4.19 million units, according to the National Association of … Read more

30-year amortizations will only impact a ‘sliver’ of the housing market: BMO – National

30-year amortizations will only impact a ‘sliver’ of the housing market: BMO – National

The Liberal government’s plan to allow some first-time homebuyers to stretch their mortgage amortizations to 30 years will only improve affordability for a “sliver” of the housing market, according to a BMO economist. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Thursday that Ottawa would allow first-time buyers to take out an insured mortgage amortized over 30 years, … Read more

Mortgage refinance demand surges even as rates cross back over 7%.

Mortgage refinance demand surges even as rates cross back over 7%.

This aerial picture shows homes near the Chesapeake Bay in Centreville, Maryland, on March 4, 2024. Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images Overall mortgage demand has now moved sideways for three straight weeks, but last week saw a split between those looking to buy a home and those hoping to save money with a … Read more

Why new build homes can lead to a property tax surprise

Why new build homes can lead to a property tax surprise

Comstock Images | Stockbyte | Getty Images It’s not unusual for new homeowners to face financial surprises, but people buying a newly built home may be more likely to encounter sticker shock on a key expense. Almost 75% of recent homebuyers had regrets about their purchase, according to a 2023 survey from Real Estate Witch. … Read more

Housing ‘affordability has just totally collapsed,’ economist says

Housing ‘affordability has just totally collapsed,’ economist says

10’000 Hours | Digitalvision | Getty Images Housing costs are outpacing median household incomes in the U.S., further straining affordability. Would-be homebuyers need to earn $113,520 a year to afford the typical house in the U.S. That is 35% more than what the typical household earns annually ($84,072), according to a new analysis by Redfin, … Read more

High cost of upgrading to a nicer home is locking up the market

High cost of upgrading to a nicer home is locking up the market

The Spring housing market is defying expectations that prices would cool and competition would ease. Higher mortgage rates usually cool both prices and demand, as they did last year, but that’s not the case now. There are still too few homes for sale because current homeowners can’t afford to move, and it’s keeping prices high. … Read more

Vacation home co-ownership site Pacaso adds lower-priced listings

Vacation home co-ownership site Pacaso adds lower-priced listings

Luxury vacation home co-ownership platform Pacaso is attempting to appeal to the masses, as it grows its business during a pricey and competitive phase of the housing market. The company, which launched in 2020 with multimillion-dollar homes listed for co-ownership, is now introducing thousands more listings with share prices starting as low as $200,000. Previously, … Read more