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CoreLogic’s February 2017 Home Price Index Report (HPI) reported gains both year-over-year and month-over-month. Home prices including distressed sales rose one percent month-over-month, and seven percent year-over-year. Some areas, particularly in the western U.S., are still harmed by low inventory. In much of California, Washington, and Oregon, home prices are considered “overvalued” as prices were over 25 percent above sustainable levels.

This is Amherst’s second transaction with Altisource Residential. Amherst and Altisource Residential have agreed to transact on up to an additional 2,750 single family rental properties in 2017. Under the terms of the agreement, Altisource Residential has purchased a 100 percent equity interest in the portfolio, and Amherst sponsored entities are providing seller financing equal to 75 percent of the sale price.

According to a newly released working paper released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, first-time buyers, as a whole, overpay on housing purchases—, particularly when compared with repeat buyers. Despite buying cheaper, smaller homes, they out-pay repeat buyers by more than 1 percent—and about $3,000—on the same properties. This is likely due to a higher willingness to pay, the paper stated.

The latest U.S. Census data shows that spending on single-family construction is up over the month and the year. Spending in this segment rose 1.2 percent over January and 3.4 percent since last February. Multi-family and overall spending are both up as well.

Previously, the Trump administration had indicated its support the D.C. Court’s initial ruling, which would make CFPB Director Cordray eligible to be fired at will by the president. Although the CFPB had argued against the administration’s interpretation of the bureau’s constitutionality, the Trump administration has the support of the D.C. Circuit Court.

Whether they’re considering taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or already in the process, nearly half of homeowners say interest rates are the most influential factor to consider. Almost half of borrowers listed interest rates as the most influential factor when deciding on a HELOC, which is over twice the second most influential factor: loan amount. Additionally, 36 percent of borrowers list the lower interest rates as the most valuable aspect of a HELOC compared to other options.

Many areas of the U.S. have seen home prices exceed supporting economic fundamentals, according to a report from Fitch Ratings. Areas such as Texas and Florida have seen increases in home prices that have led top overvalued homes, as inflation can't keep up.

With nearly $5 trillion available to borrowers, the equity economy is at an 11-year high, according to a new report by Black Knight. Fewer borrowers are underwater on the heels of a strengthening appreciation market, and refis are nearly half of all new loans. More than two-thirds of tappable equity is in the hands of borrowers with low-rate mortgages.

On Monday, the United States Census Bureau will release its Construction Spending study for February 2017. The report will cover all areas of construction, including single-family residential. The previous study, for January 2017, revealed an increase in single-family construction, both month-over-month and year-over-year. Did this trend of growth continue?

For families wanting affordable housing and great school districts, an analysis by the New York Times shows it’s going to require a longer commute. There are suburban “sweet spots,” the article posits, but they’re further out from cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York. Lexington, Massachusetts, was just one of these sweet spots mentioned.