General News - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

Americans are Ramping Up Savings in the Pandemic

Many Americans are saving more and spending less during the pandemic. Forty-six percent of more than 5,000 U.S. adults said they are “more of a saver now” than before the pandemic, according to a recent survey conducted by CNBC + Acorns Invest in You.Certainly, millions of Americans are still unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have seen their finances take a major hit. For those still employed, however, they may be feel able to build

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The Cities where Parents and Adult Children Share Housing

Many adult children are choosing to return to live with their parents—or not to leave—for many reasons, including the economic downturn, high rent or housing costs, and the pandemic. But some areas of the country show a higher proportion of adult children who are at home with their parents.MagnifyMoney, a branch of LendingTree, recently analyzed data from the American Community Survey to identify the cities where adults aged 25 to 40 still li

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A Shortage of Existing Homes Drives Shoppers to New Construction

As home shoppers find fewer existing homes for sale, they’re increasingly turning to new construction, The Wall Street Journal reports. New single-family home sales jumped nearly 14% in July from June and are at the highest level since December 2006, the Commerce Department reports.“The demand feels really good right now,” Martin Connor, chief financial officer at Toll Brothers Inc., told The Wall Street Journal. “The longe

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2020 Good Neighbor Finalists Beat Tough Odds

In a year defined by unprecedented challenges globally, the kindness of REALTORS®—a group whose charitable giving far outpaces that of the general public—has never been more urgent. Recognizing real estate pros who have persevered through a pandemic to make an extraordinary difference in their communities through volunteer work, the National Association of REALTORS® on Wednesday named 10 finalists for this year’s Good Neighbor Awards

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Another Record Low for Mortgage Rates

Just as some housing experts were predicting rates couldn’t get lower, they did. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached a new all-time low, averaging 2.86% this week, according to Freddie Mac. “Mortgage rates have hit another record low due to a late-summer slowdown in the economic recovery,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “These low rates have ignited robust purchase demand activity, which has been growing at double-d

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25 Affordable Places to Buy a Home During the Pandemic

The most affordable housing markets in the U.S. tend to be located in the South and Midwest, according to a new analysis from RefiGuide.org, a home refinance resource. For example, Youngstown, Ohio, topped the list as the most affordable place in the country, where the median household income in one year is more than the typical purchase price of a home.On the other end of the spectrum, however, California tends to have the least affordable housi

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REALTORS: How to Handle Bidding Wars Legally

Ultra-competitive housing markets have fueled bidding wars as buyers frantically compete for a limited number of homes for-sale. Real estate professionals are finding themselves helping their home-buying clients navigate multiple offer situations. But they must be careful to avoid misunderstandings and reduce the risk of discrimination in the process, too.“Real estate professionals can help avoid complaints and fair housing issues while helping

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While Houses Get Bigger, Apartments Get Smaller

New homes have gotten larger, many with a room dedicated to each family member, plus a guest bedroom. On the other hand, apartments are feeling more cramped.New single-family homes have increased 18% in size, or 143 square feet, over the last decade, according to new research from STORAGECafe. That’s about the size of a new bedroom, says STORAGECafe, which analyzed the evolution of new-home and apartment sizes from 2010 to 2019.The average size

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The 15 Most Affordable College Towns for Renters

Columbia, Mo., home to the University of Missouri, offers the cheapest housing costs of college towns in the U.S., according to a new analysis from Apartment Guide. The average one-bedroom apartment rents for $714 and the average two-bedroom apartment rent is $850.College towns have long been viewed as a steady sector for investors to own rentals. The pandemic has challenged that over recent months, but housing analysts still view college to

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Mortgage Applications are 40% Higher than a Year Ago

The home shopping spree continues. Typically, the end of August sees a slowdown in the housing market, but this year, real estate has shown no signs of letting up.Mortgage applications to purchase a home increased 3% last week compared to the previous week. But it’s the year-over-year jump of 40% that has surprised economists. Year-over-year comparisons are usually in the single digits.“There continues to be resiliency in the purchase market,

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