News / Features

Inflation worries sap builder confidence in January

“While lean existing home inventory and solid buyer demand are supporting the need for new construction, the combination of ongoing increases for building materials, worsening skilled labor shortages and higher mortgage rates point to declines for housing affordability in 2022.” — NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke

Black mortgage applicants 84% more likely to be denied than white applicants, analysis finds

Black applicants were 84% more likely to be denied a mortgage than white applicants, the data showed, an increase from the 74% disparity in 2019.

Home Partners of America launches the Choice Lease program for lower income residents

Home Partners of America has launched Choice Lease: a first-of-its-kind program offering below-market rents to qualified applicants.

Mortgage applications, interest rates rise first week of January

“MBA expects solid growth in purchase activity this year, as demographic drivers and the strong economy support housing demand,. However, the strength in growth will be dependent on housing inventory growing more rapidly to meet demand.” — Mortgage Bankers Association associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting Joel Kan

Redfin to acquire Bay Equity Home Loans

The San Francisco Bay-area mortgage lender is licensed in 42 states. 

Could smaller homes help solve housing shortage in Washington?

Renton’s Permit Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) program may offer some respite from the state’s current housing crisis

New kitchen renovation trends: How homeowners are splurging in 2022

The 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study is out, and the most popular kitchen renovation trend is upgraded countertops.

RE/MAX CEO stepping down in March

Board member Stephen Joyce will serve as interim CEO as the company conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

SP200 ranks the most-powerful people in residential real estate in 2022

The Swanepoel Power 200, or SP 200, annual ranking of the most-powerful and influential leaders in residential real estate has been released.

Homeowners face record supply shortages entering 2022

Despite the record low number of homes for sale, prices and pending sales continue to rise.

Unique ‘MetaReal’ deal will include luxury mansion’s identical counterpart in the virtual world

Construction of a Miami mansion will coincide with the creation of its identical counterpart in the virtual world to form a first-of-its-kind “MetaReal” mansion, according to a press release.

Homeownership remains cheaper than renting in majority of U.S.

Homeownership remains a cheaper option than renting in the majority of areas, according to a new study by ATTOM Data Solutions.

America’s Most Trusted® study: Which homebuilders topped the list for 2022?

Taylor Morrison topped Lifestory Research’s annual list of America’s Most Trusted® Homebuilders — for the seventh consecutive year.

Study: Washington ranks last in housing availability

Washington has been hit harder by the housing crisis than any other state, according to a new study by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Washington ranks last among 50 states in the ratio of housing units to the number of existing households, the EcoNorthwest study revealed.

SKCR: Transit-oriented grants an ‘absolute necessity’ for solving housing crisis

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $2.4 million in Transit-Oriented Development Implementation (TODI) grants to 11 communities to review zoning areas served by current or forthcoming high-frequency bus service and light-rail transit.

Bellevue offers assistance with overdue rent, mortgage payments

The city of Bellevue is offering mediation to help tenants and landlords negotiate repayment of overdue rent resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR).

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