News / Features

Realtors Relief Foundation launches 20th anniversary campaign

In light of the increasing number of natural disasters in recent years, the foundation commemorated its 20th anniversary by launching Hope Rising, “a campaign designed to ensure the foundation can respond to disasters as quickly and effectively as possible.”

Lenders accused of maternity-leave discrimination

Denying a mortgage to a woman because she is on or plans to be on maternity leave is against the law, but some lenders are accused of doing just that.

Seattle apartments are growing to accommodate working from home

New construction apartments are getting bigger in Seattle and other major markets after shrinking in size from 2016 to 2020, according to a recent study by RENTCafe and Yardi Matrix.

New-home sales drop 6% in May as median-sales prices increase again

The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of May was 330,000, representing a supply of 5.1 months at the current sales rate, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported.

Thousands of Seattle-area homes sell for $100K over asking price

More than 4,500 homes in the Seattle metro area have sold for more than $100,000 over their asking prices this year, and 580 of those fetched more than $300,000 over the asking price, according to a new Redfin report.

NAR: U.S. housing market is short 5.5 million homes

The shortage of housing in America is more “dire” than previously expected, and the NAR’s new report puts pressure on lawmakers to provide additional public funding and policy incentives to fix this massive underbuilding gap.

70% of homebuyers still facing bidding wars

Market competition has eased up recently, but seven in 10 buyers still face bidding wars, according to a new report from Redfin.

Seattle home inventory levels rebounded in May

Inventory levels rebounded last month, finally showing signs of recovery following a year of historical declines.

Seattle area in a 4-way tie for fastest-selling homes at 12 days

The typical increase in home sales as summer approaches failed to materialize nationwide last month, with average sales dropping 0.2% from April to May, while month-over-month sales in Seattle bucked the trend slightly, climbing 0.4%, according to the RE/MAX May National Housing Report.

Housing market simmers down, but pending sales are still up

Although pending sales are up 29% from last year, they are starting to slow down, dropping 9.7% from their peak four weeks ago.

Housing starts rise in May, but building permits fall

Single-family housing starts were up 4.2% from April and 49.8% from May 2020, at 1,098,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Washington among top states for home equity gain, up $66K in a year

The rise in equity could help stave off foreclosures because homeowners can tap into that equity and sell their home, unlike during the 2008 financial crisis when many homeowners found themselves underwater in their mortgage, according to CoreLogic.

Seattle ranks 18th on top 50 new markets list based on 2020 closings

Experts at Builder Magazine recently came out with their Local Leaders list for 2020, which ranks the country’s 50 largest new-home markets based on closings by the end of the year.

Interior designer’s paradise

Unassuming on the outside, but a world of wonder inside — a walk through this $325,000 home in downtown St. Louis is an adventure in and of itself.

Could zoning changes help boost supply and balance the market?

With high costs slowing construction and potentially lowering homeownership for many, easing zoning rules may be the most effective way to increase the supply of new housing.

Flyhomes secures $150 million series C funding plan, will expand Seattle operations

The startup that allows buyers to make cash offers on homes while trying to secure a mortgage is expanding to new markets while growing existing ones.

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