Tag Archives: homeowners

Housing costs reached record highs for homebuyers and renters in 2023, but affordability is projected to improve this year. A new Zillow report shares predictions for the hottest housing markets of 2024.

According to a new LendingTree study, rates began to trend in the right direction after peaking in October, with the average rate for 30-year fixed mortgages falling to below 7.00% by December, ending the year more than a percentage point lower than their 2023 peak. But will economic conditions continue to ease in 2024?

Home prices reached a new peak for the eighth consecutive month in November, according to First American's latest Home Price Index report, which revealed that price appreciation for small, affordable homes for first-time buyers remained strong, with starter home prices growing the fastest in many U.S. markets.

The share of existing-home sales ticked up, ending a five-month slide, according to a new report from NAR, while the median existing-home price also jumped in November, marking a fifth consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

While the combination of high home prices and interest rates continues to price many potential buyers out of the market, homebuyer mobility has stalled as a result as well. Riordan Frost, Senior Research Analyst for the Joint Center for Housing Studies, reveals the latest predictions surrounding homeowner mobility and what it would take to recover.

According to a new market report from Redfin, in November, pending sales climbed to their highest level since 2022, while new listings rose, representing the first sign of growth in a year and a half.

“Renters are finally catching a break," said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. "Better deals are easier to come by because landlords are doling out concessions and rents have started falling in a meaningful way. Rising supply also means renters have more good options to choose from."

The path to homeownership is becoming increasingly challenging for Americans nationwide, but how much can potential homebuyers afford to spend on a home in today's market? A new Point2 study showed that the median home price is now twice what the average buyer can afford, posing even more financial barriers for those seeking the American Dream.

According to Angi's 2023 State of Home Spending report, Americans spent thousands of dollars on home projects this year, with many homeowners choosing to spend more on improvements rather than moving due to elevated housing costs and high mortgage rates.

Asking rents have declined year-over-year in three of the last four months, according to a new Rent.com report, dropping a total of four times in 2023. As prices continue to climb in the Midwest, other regions saw annual declines in November, as the market continues its seasonal slowdown.