National News

More than Half of U.S. Adults Cannot Afford Their House

A new survey from the MacArthur Foundation is generating substantial waves, and for good reason – its findings are quite surprising. #83590515 / gettyimages.com Here’s a stat you wouldn’t expect to see: in the past three years, 52 percent

Why We Might Be Saying Good-bye to Fannie and Freddie

The U.S. Senate has taken a step towards reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, only it might be in the wrong direction. #479290095 / gettyimages.com Go back five or six years and you’d be hard pressed to find a news

Chicagoland Asking Prices Post Dramatic Growth

Asking prices remained quite strong in our metro area in May, according to fresh numbers from Trulia. #159405477 / gettyimages.com The good times continued to roll for home prices in the Chicagoland area in May, with asking prices rising 13.5

Redfin Report: What Has Many Homes Selling Faster

Despite depleted inventories, a new Redfin reports finds home tours, offers and overall demand are still holding strong. #172155167 / gettyimages.com Home tours and offers have historically responded to the ebbs and flow of available inventory – an almost

The 3 Reasons that Housing May Not Be as Affordable as it Looks

We’re often told about how affordable housing is, but there is a world inside of the world of housing affordability. #475106427 / gettyimages.com Housing, we often read, is currently in a promised land of affordability. Though not quite the ideal

The Real Reason Construction Activity is Up

Construction numbers have been up in 2014, but there’s a very specific reason behind the increased activity. #138626281 / gettyimages.com Overall construction spending in the U.S. economy rose 0.2 percent from March to April and 8.6 percent from April

The Inconvenient Truth About Housing – in Two Charts

The most recent existing-home sales report indicated that housing may have turned a corner, but structural issues persist. #142483561 / gettyimages.com Covering the housing market nowadays is a strange experience. On one hand, you have the clear monthly reports

NAR Report: What Has Buyer Confidence On the Rise

New NAR report finds overall pending home sales improved for the second straight month in April, but not every region performed well. #163842031 / gettyimages.com In March, the National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index, described as a

5 Reasons that First-Time Homebuyers Are NOT Returning Anytime Soon

First-time homebuyers have been missing in action for some time now, and it’s unlikely that they’ll return any time soon. #482143423 / gettyimages.com It’s no news to anyone – especially consistent readers of our news coverage – that first-time

The Latest New Home Sales Report, in 5 Easy Steps

The government came out with its latest report on new home sales late last week, but what do all those numbers actually mean? #480983989 / gettyimages.com We’ll get the obvious information out the way first: according to the latest numbers

Chicagoland Home Prices Post Best Increase in 25 Years in Case-Shiller

In general, home prices have been slowing down a bit in 2014; was that the case in our market, according to the latest Case-Shiller? #140196782 / gettyimages.com Home prices in the Chicagoland area rose by both monthly and yearly

NAR Report: Why April is the Month for Existing-Home Sales

After falling the first three months of the year, existing-home sales reversed course in April, according to NAR. #176580616 / gettyimages.com Early Thursday morning, the National Association of Realtors released a report showing that in April, and for the first

Appraisal Complaints Way Down in 2014, but Structural Flaws Persist

Bad appraisals were one of the more implicit side effects of the housing downturn, but is the worst behind us? #83590748 / gettyimages.com Forty percent of any demographic is an awfully large chunk of people, and in 2010, at

Negative Equity Persists in Chicagoland in a Mega Way

Though home prices have risen, negative equity continues to affect many homeowners – though not equally. #459305223 / gettyimages.com Home prices have risen in dramatic ways the last couple of years, but quite a few properties remain in negative

The 7 Key Things to Know About the New Construction Market

As usual, many media outlets have been focusing on the screaming headlines on construction, but more important trends simmer below the surface. #466064835 / gettyimages.com By now, you’ve surely seen the screaming headlines – in April, housing starts skyrocketed

Great News: Delinquency Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since 2007

The U.S. mortgage markets have been improving gradually the last couple years, but the latest MBA data marks a significant accomplishment. #486080083 / gettyimages.com Yesterday, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) graced us with a wonderful piece of housing news

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