Two percent jump in housing starts nationwide could mean lower chance of recession

Minority homeownership, which plummeted during the Great Recession, is climbing back up.

Housing starts make progress in September, showing signs of more inventory on the way.

Still, more than two-thirds of homebuyers believe housing availability getting scarcer.

The National Association of Realtors’ 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reveals that FSBOs are on the decline and that buyers are in need of help when it comes to making home purchases.

For now, low borrowing costs are keeping pace with rising prices. But how long can this last?

Census data shows that while many people in the Chicago area are rent-burdened, the percentage owners pay for housing is actually decreasing.

All 50 states saw a boost in prices last month. CoreLogic reports half of millennial homebuyers used retirement savings to help them purchase their first home.

After the October jobs report showed unexpected labor market strength, experts believe the Fed will be unlikely to plan further rate cuts.

Lower interest rates are not only keeping the market steady, they may be prolonging a housing expansion at a time of year when the market naturally begins to slow down.

NAR economist urges developers to consider converting vacant office space, shopping malls to condos to relieve housing shortage.

Lack of inventory is stalling growth. Learn why some are saying they don’t expect housing starts to reach pre-recession levels until 2022.

Once again it’s time to check in on the people and offices with the most activity in Chicagoland real estate. Get a quick glance of the people and offices who made waves in Q3 or dig deep into the full lists of the top 20 agents, offices and highest single-family closings in each of the six counties we cover.

NAR chief economist: Housing shortage is stunting potential growth.

Though existing-home sales data didn’t offer much excitement, an examination of homes going under contract indicates the kind of activity that normally marks the start of summer, not the end.

In its most recent Chicagoland Housing Report, RE/MAX reported the available housing stock to be at a 5.5-month supply, which is the highest level recorded so far this year. This is translating to something closer to a buyer’s market for the area.