News / Features

New-home sales rise 1.1% in February as median-sales price surges

The supply of new homes for sale ticked lower from February, according to government figures.

NAR: Existing-home sales jump in February, ending a year of declines

The annual rate of 4.58 million sales was up 14.5% from January but down 22.6% from the February 2022 rate of 5.92 million. 

Realtor.com: Week of April 2 is best time to list in Seattle

Nationally, the week of April 16-22 is likely to provide sellers with the most favorable conditions for a successful sale of any week of the year, although the exact timing varies widely by market. 

Seattle King County REALTORS® joins Black Home Initiative network

The network’s primary goal is to help 1,500 Black individuals achieve homeownership within the next five years.

How sellers can — and should — improve curb appeal

The vast majority of Realtors — 92% — suggest that sellers improve the “curb appeal” of a home before listing. But how exactly should they go about that?

Housing starts post major gains in February

A shortage of existing-home inventory is driving more people to the market for newly built homes. 

Amazon to invest $25 million for affordable housing in Washington

The funds come from the corporation’s Housing Equity Fund, which was established in 2021 to help create affordable housing near Amazon headquarters.

Builder confidence rises again in March

Homebuilders expressed “cautious optimism” that the lack of existing inventory would drive demand for new homes despite high construction costs and interest rates, the National Association of Home Builders reported.    

Multigenerational homebuying and mortgage-readiness fueling Latino homeownership rates

“Latinos are more mortgage ready. Latinos have made strides in income and are more educated in the homebuying process,” said Nidia Fromenta Peguero of Century 21 North East in Danvers, Massachusetts. “They don’t want to rent anymore.”

MBA: Mortgage applications rise 7.4% despite increased rates

The Mortgage Bankers Association noted the increase in borrowing activity came despite the 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbing to its highest level since November 2022. 

Jennifer Wauhob named NAR’s 2023 vice president of association affairs

Vice President of Association Affairs Jennifer Wauhob brings over a decade of experience to her new role with NAR.

High mortgage rates make million-dollar homes less common

As rising mortgage rates cool the market, the share of U.S. homes worth at least $1 million has fallen from an all-time high last year, according to a new Redfin report.

Seattle among top cities for pet-friendly rentals

Zillow’s most recent Consumer Home Trends Report shows that 59% of all renters have a pet: a post-pandemic spike.

CoreLogic: Home-price growth slides to June 2020 pace

In January, home prices were up 5.5% annually and down 0.2% monthly, CoreLogic reported, citing its monthly Home Price Insights report. 

What history tells us about today’s interest rates

Keeping things in historical perspective can be tough when mortgage rates have roughly doubled in the last year. Mike Del Preto, a senior mortgage advisor at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, helps provide a closer look at the numbers.

The racial gap in homeownership rates endures 55 years after the Fair Housing Act

Nearly 55 years after the Fair Housing Act was signed into law, Black homeownership still lags behind white homeownership.

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