Daily Dose

With housing prices continuing to climb, and the housing shortage steadily creeping forward, more metros are seeing a significant majority of their homes hit the million dollar mark. And while that doesn’t necessarily mean homebuyers get less for more, it does mean that “affordable” housing in certain highly desired areas of the country might come with an extra zero on its price tag. See what metros had the largest share of million dollar homes.

Home prices spiked again, according to the May 2017 Existing Home Sales Index. Total unsold inventory saw a slight uptick compared to April 2017, but is still relatively low, and median home prices are continuing to rise. Seasonally adjusted, there were 5.62 million existing homes for sale, a small increase from April 2017, but how long will this trend sustain itself?

A potential sales report released Tuesday showed an increase in existing-home sales for the Month of May despite the many issues facing home inventory. Industry professionals predict with the growing age of millennials and eventual starting of families, demand for housing will remain healthy. Rising rates and financing costs could be leaving existing homeowners as prisoners to their own homes. Keeping in mind the state of the market when looking at home sales at a particular time will give incite on whether it is a good time to buy or sell.

Most mortgage borrowers don’t shop around for a lender, according to a recent survey. In fact, 36 percent of borrowers only looked at one lender when buying their home, while the remaining 64 percent only compared two. The reason for the lack of research is likely because of referrals and existing relationships. Nearly 80 percent of borrowers used their existing bank, a referral from their real estate agent, or a personal referral when choosing a mortgage lender. A mere 9 percent used an internet search.

As real estate agents say, “location, location, location”—and that means if you’re located near a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, according to research. After studying the areas both before and after the stores were built, researchers found neighborhoods that previously were appreciating at normal or below normal levels started appreciating rapidly after opening. Either they know how to pick neighborhoods, or people truly love to live near Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

There are many factors that have affected homeownership rates after the 2008 financial crisis— specifically in regards to young adult social norms and changes in the housing market. The homeownership rate among 25- to 44-year olds has dropped 10 percent in the last decade and recent research shows this could be increased with closing the interracial gap in education and wealth. This research falls in line with statistics on diversity found in the corporate world.

A new report shows that not all major U.S. markets are basking in escalating home prices. Nine metros are actually seeing median prices drop. Metros in Texas and the South comprise all but two of those markets.

Mortgage lenders are taking increased credit risks similar to those of the early 2000s, according to a new report released on Tuesday. The level of credit risk taken by lenders in Q1 of 2017 was about the same as the average risk taken between 2001 and 2003. According to the report, the shift toward riskier lending standards is a result of declining refinances, rising mortgage rates, and increased investor, condo, and co-op share of purchase loans.

The Government has been trying to figure out where the profits from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will go for over four years now, but according to a prominent hedge fund manager, it could go on another five more. When investors bought into the GSEs during the 2008 housing crash, they were under the impression that the allocation of profit would be amongst the shareholders. When the company changed their terms in 2012, a legal battle ensued that could last a total of 10 years.

Cost of living is on the rise across the country, according to a report released on Monday that lists the top 10 cities in the country with the fastest rate of increase in the cost of living over a one year period between 2016 and 2017. The study used two main metrics to rank the cities: the increase in the cost of living index—food, rent, utilities, and transportation costs. It also measures the increase in the amount of income that was needed to “live comfortably,” which is defined by the amount of money a household has to make in a year to account for necessities, savings, and discretionary spending.