National News

RE/MAX: Seattle area home prices now fourth-highest in nation

The Seattle area had the third-largest home-price spike in the country during August, according to RE/MAX’s latest National Housing Report. The market’s median price — $745,000 — is now the fourth-highest in the United States.

Fed cuts interest rates for first time in four years

Mortgage rates have been dropping in recent weeks in anticipation of the Fed’s move.

What agents should know about expected Fed rate cuts

The expectation of a rate cut this week, and the potential for more later in the year, has already moved mortgage rates lower.

Rate’s Spanish-language digital platform eclipses 10,000 mortgage applications

Rate introduced its Spanish-language mortgage process in 2022.

What Trump and Harris said — and didn’t say — about housing during the debate

The subject of housing came up four times during Tuesday night’s presidential debate — all mentions were by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Guaranteed Rate Affinity ranks as 13th-largest lender in the Scotsman Guide

Guaranteed Rate Affinity has been named the 13th largest retail mortgage lender in the United States by Scotsman Guide.
The company was founded in 2017.

Realtor survey points to expected increase in buyer traffic 

The latest National Association of REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey found that 16% of respondents expect a year-over-year increase in buyer traffic in the next three months, compared to 13% a month earlier.

DOJ accuses RealPage of rent price-fixing scheme

RealPage calls DOJ filing “devoid of merit.”

New-home sales jump in July 

July’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of 739,000 represented a 10.6% jump from June’s upwardly revised rate of 668,000. 

Existing-home sales end 4 months of declines in July 

The pace of home sales increased 1.3% from June after months of decreases, the National Association of REALTORS® said.      

NAR elevates Nykia Wright from interim to permanent CEO

Wright had served as interim CEO since November.

Apartment construction surges nationwide

Seattle ranked No. 12 among major metro areas, with more than 12,800 apartments expected to be completed in 2024. 

Michigan agents sue NAR, claim membership requirement to access MLS violates federal law

The lawsuit criticizes NAR’s new rules in the wake of its legal settlement.

What you need to know when NAR’s new rules start Aug. 17

There are some nuances in NAR’s new rules that are important to know for buyer’s brokers, seller’s brokers or their clients.  

Average mortgage rate drops to lowest level in more than a year

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped more than a quarter point since last week.

Pending home sales regain upward momentum in June 

The National Association of REALTORS® said its Pending Home Sales Index rose 4.8% month over month. 

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