Existing-Home Sales Receded 5.9% in March
April 24 2025 | |
"Home buying and selling remained sluggish in March due to the affordability challenges associated with high mortgage rates," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibility of less economic mobility for society."
|
|
NAHB, Alair Homes Announce Final New American Home in Orlando
April 23 2025 | |
The National Association of Home Builders today unveiled exciting new details of its official show home of the NAHB International Builders’ Show®: The New American Home® 2026. The home, produced in collaboration with the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council and Professional Builder magazine, will not only serve as a cutting-edge exhibition of the industry’s latest innovations, but will also have a special tie to local community services.
|
|
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 23 2025 | |
“Overall mortgage application activity declined last week, as rates increased to their highest level in two months. The 30-year fixed rate rose for the second straight week to 6.9 percent, an almost 30-basis-point increase over two weeks,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “These higher rates drove a 20 percent drop in refinance applications, especially for higher balance loans, with the average loan size falling substantially. The refinance share of applications at 37.3 percent was the lowest since January."
|
|
Decline in Mortgage Rates Helps to Increase New Home Sales in March
April 23 2025 | |
“The March new home sales data shows that demand continues to be present in the market, provided affordability conditions permit a purchase,” said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “An increase in economic certainty would be a big boost to future sales conditions.”
|
|
|
Alanna.ai Names McAlpine Director of Marketing
April 21 2025 | |
According to alanna.ai President and Co-Founder, Hoyt Mann, McAlpine will be asked to expand the positioning of the brand during an expected new phase of growth. “We’re rolling out several new powerful tools in the coming weeks and months, and Jennifer will make it clear that Alanna is the AI title agents need right now. She has already helped other nationally-recognized brands to do so in a remarkable number of ways," he said.
|
|
March New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 5.5 Percent
April 18 2025 | |
“Applications for new home purchases increased in March, consistent with typical seasonal patterns and supported by mortgage rates that had been drifting lower,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “The growing inventory of newly built, move-in ready homes supported homebuyer interest over the month, pushing the index higher than last year’s levels. Our estimate of seasonally adjusted new home sales saw a slight decline in March but were stronger than last year’s pace of sales."
|
|
Housing Starts Decline Amid Economic Uncertainty
April 17 2025 | |
“The drop in March housing starts is a clear signal that affordability pressures are intensifying,” said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “Elevated mortgage rates and rising construction costs are making it increasingly difficult to deliver homes at price points accessible to entry-level buyers. We're seeing demand soften as more potential home owners are priced out of the market.”
|
|
National Association of Realtors® Announces New Senior Vice President of Education & Events
April 17 2025 | |
"Elizabeth offers a rare and extremely valuable combination of in-depth knowledge of the real estate industry, a passion for education and training, and a sharp business acumen. She not only understands how to create content that resonates with our members, but she also knows how to build sustainable revenue streams to support long-term growth. We're excited for her to lead the next chapter of innovation in our education and events programming," said NAR CEO Nykia Wright.
|
|
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 16 2025 | |
“Mortgage rates moved 20 basis points higher last week, abruptly slowing the pace of mortgage application activity with refinance volume dropping 12 percent and purchase volume falling 5 percent for the week. Purchase volume remains almost 13 percent above last year’s level, but economic uncertainty and the volatility in rates is likely to make at least some prospective buyers more hesitant to move forward with a purchase,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist.
|
|
Builder Confidence Levels Indicate Slow Start for Spring Housing Season
April 16 2025 | |
“The recent dip in mortgage rates may have pushed some buyers off the fence in March, helping builders with sales activity,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “At the same time, builders have expressed growing uncertainty over market conditions as tariffs have increased price volatility for building materials at a time when the industry continues to grapple with labor shortages and a lack of buildable lots.”
|
|
ALTA Supports Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand Affordable Housing Supply
April 14 2025 | |
“Improving housing supply is vital to the health of our communities and the long-term strength of our economy,” said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. “The Housing Supply Frameworks Act takes an innovative, community-driven approach to solving one of the nation’s most pressing issues. By reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, this legislation can help spur responsible development, strengthen access to homeownership and restore the American Dream for countless families.”
|
|
Florida Agency Network Names Hersem General Counsel
April 11 2025 | |
Hersem joins FAN with over 20 years of experience in title insurance and real estate law, including roles as underwriting counsel for two national underwriters. Hersem started her career in her family’s title insurance business and has since gained extensive experience in foreclosure, bankruptcy, probate, eviction and other areas of civil practice. She also has considerable familiarity with all elements of the closing process from contract to warehousing.
|
|
NAR and Realtor.com® Recognize 2025 Fair Housing Champions
April 10 2025 | |
"Ensuring that every individual has a fair opportunity to achieve homeownership is fundamental to our mission," said NAR President Kevin Sears. "These remarkable Realtors® have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering stronger communities. Their efforts serve as a model for our industry and a beacon of hope for those striving to achieve the American Dream."
|
|
Remodeling Market Sentiment Down in the First Quarter
April 10 2025 | |
“Rising homeowner equity and limited opportunities to move into other homes is still supporting the home improvement market and keeping remodeler sentiment positive,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison, a remodeler from Raleigh, N.C. “Sentiment is not quite as positive as it was last quarter, however, as some remodelers are reporting that uncertainty about tariffs and the direction of the economy are making customers hesitant to spend on larger projects.”
|
|
Top Remodeling Projects for Homeowner Satisfaction and Cost Recovery Revealed in NAR Report
April 09 2025 | |
"This report demonstrates that demand for remodeling remains robust, with 42% of NARI members experiencing an increase in contracting projects and 57% observing larger project scopes over the past two years," says NARI President Jason Hensler. "Homeowners are discovering significant value and joy in these investments – from smaller upgrades, such as front doors and windows, to major renovations like kitchens and primary suites."
|
|
Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 09 2025 | |
“Mortgage applications increased by 20 percent to its highest level since September 2024, driven by purchase and refinance applications picking up in a volatile week where economic uncertainty caused rates to drop across the board. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.61 percent, the lowest rate since October 2024,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
|
|
NAHB's New Study Provides Statistics and Data on Builder Financial Performance
April 09 2025 | |
“Success in the building industry is not just about constructing homes—it’s about building a financially sound and efficient business,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “This new title offers the resources and data that industry professionals need to understand to help benchmark their business and put them on the road to success.”
|
|
|
|
NAR Advocates for Association Health Plans in Congress
April 02 2025 | |
"NAR strongly supports restoring access to association health plans, which provide high-quality, affordable health coverage for America's self-employed professionals, including Realtors®. Angela Shields' testimony before Congress underscores the need to address the health insurance challenges many of our members face."
|
|
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 02 2025 | |
“Treasury yields continue to be volatile as economic uncertainty dominates markets. Most mortgage rates finished last week lower, with the 30-year fixed essentially unchanged at 6.70 percent. Last week’s level of purchase applications was its highest since the end of January, driven by a 3 percent increase in conventional purchases, while government purchase applications were down 2 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
|
|
Millennial Buyers Prefer Better, Not Bigger Homes
April 01 2025 | |
Millennial buyers say they want a home with a median of 2,408 square feet, the most requested amount of interior space compared to other generations, according to NAHB. However, more than half (52%) of millennial home buyers say they would rather purchase a smaller house with higher-quality products and amenities than a bigger one with fewer amenities.
|
|
U.S. Housing Economy Growth to Slow with Tariff and Labor Supply Risks
April 01 2025 | |
Cost pressures from higher tariffs and immigration restrictions, together with weakening consumer and homebuilder sentiment, amplify the downside to our various housing market forecasts. Trade protectionism will increase prices on key material construction inputs. Foreign born, non-citizen workers represent an overwhelming share of key specialty construction occupations, and immigration restrictions are likely to raise labor costs.
|
|
Baby Boomers Regain Top Spot as Largest Share of Home Buyers
April 01 2025 | |
"In a plot twist, baby boomers have overtaken millennials – the largest U.S. population – to become the top generation of home buyers," said Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research. "What's striking is that half of older boomers and two out of five younger boomers are purchasing homes entirely with cash, bypassing financing altogether."
|
|