National News

FHA cuts mortgage insurance premium, touts expected savings for homebuyers 

Mortgage insurance premiums on loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration will drop from 0.85% to 0.55% beginning March 20. 

Mutual of Omaha Mortgage acquires Keller Mortgage 

The former Keller Williams lending unit will operate alongside Mutual of Omaha Mortgage’s existing mortgage divisions. 

NAR: Existing-home sales post 12th monthly decline in January, as prices rise again 

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.32% as of Feb. 16, up from 6.12% a week before and 3.92% a year earlier. 

Mortgage applications decline after rate increase 

The pace of mortgage applications fell 7.7% in the week ended Feb. 10, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported. 

Builder confidence jumps in February 

Builder confidence rose for the second consecutive month in February with a seven-point increase that brought it to its highest level since last September, the National Association of Home Builders said. 

NAR Relief Foundation seeks to raise $5 million in 2023 campaign 

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation works to provide housing relief to victims of natural disasters. 

MBA: Mortgage applications jump on lower rates 

The 30-year fixed rate fell for the fifth week in a row, giving a lift to lending activity, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. 

Realtors are writing listings with AI… Can you spot the difference?

The AI program ChatGPT creates home listings with desired industry lingo, dropping real estate buzzwords with apparent ease. Can you tell the difference?

Redfin: Housing market has started to recover

Homebuyers are returning, but sellers still aren’t filling the need as inventory remains low.

Seattle’s downtown living experience rated top 5 in the country

Seattle was rated No. 5 overall and cited for its strong rent-to-income ratio, green apartment buildings and neighborhood safety. 

New-home sales rise in December 

The median sales price of a new home was down on a monthly basis but up on an annual one. 

NAR: Existing-home sales dip 1.5% in December 

House prices, however, continued to rise, marking the 130th consecutive month for price gains, the longest streak on record, the National Association of REALTORS® said.   

Home prices increase as falling mortgage rates attract buyers

More buyers have entered the market in the past four weeks as mortgage rates fell.

Single-family starts, builder confidence rise 

The increase in builder confidence breaks a string of 12 straight monthly declines in the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. 

SP200 ranks the most-powerful people in residential real estate in 2023 

HomeServices of America President and CEO Gino Blefari took the top spot on the annual list. 

Washington ranked one of the best states to raise a family

Washington is one of the best states in the country to raise a family, according to a new report from WalletHub. 

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