National News

30-year fixed tops 6% for first time since 2008 in latest MBA survey 

Mortgage applications declined 1.2% during the week ended Sept. 9, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. 

Pending home sales decline for second consecutive month in July 

The modest 1% decline could indicate the current housing cycle is reaching a bottom as mortgage rates recede from their recent high, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

New-home sales plunge 12.6% in July 

The median price of a new home sold during the month was up 5.9%, however, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

RE/MAX: Chicago median-sales price slides as inventory climbs 

Nationally, the median sales price slid 2.9% from June but rose 8.1% from July 2021, while closed transactions were down 16.6% on a monthly basis and 26.3% on a yearly one, RE/MAX said in its National Housing Report.

NAR: Existing-home sales fall again in July, but could stabilize  

A recent decline in mortgage rates could return some purchasing power to buyers going forward, National Association of REALTORS® chief economist Lawrence Yun said. 

New-home construction falls 9.6% in July 

The pace of housing starts for both single-family and multifamily residences was down on a month over month basis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported. 

NAHB: U.S. in a “housing recession,” single-family starts will decline in 2022 

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell for the eighth straight month in August, as the key measure of builder confidence indicated a pessimistic outlook. 

Keller Williams launches new business-development programs for agents 

The brokerage’s new “communities” will provide its agents with specialized training, technology, coaching and referral opportunities. 

Zillow brings Opendoor offers to its platform 

Sellers using Zillow may request and view an offer directly from Opendoor and compare it to an open-market sale with a real estate agent. 

Rental and homeowner vacancy rates still near historic lows, Census data shows

The national rental vacancy rate dropped to 5.6% in the second quarter of the year while the homeowner vacancy rate remained at 0.8%.

CoreLogic: Chicago home-price increases lag national average in June 

Home prices were up 11% in Chicago on a year-over-year basis, compared to 18.3% nationwide, CoreLogic reported, citing its Home Price Index. 

It’s rookie season

Summer means umbrellas in your cocktails, frosé and parties! So, before summer ends, it’s time to celebrate.

After May bump, pending-home sales hit June dip 

“Contract signings to buy a home will keep tumbling down as long as mortgage rates keep climbing, as has happened this year to date.” — National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun  

June new-home sales drop 8.1% month over month

At the same time, the inventory of new homes for sale rose 10.7%, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported.

Single-family housing starts fall for fourth month in a row in June 

The pace of new multifamily construction, however, jumped, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  

NAR: Existing-home sales continue slide in June 

At the same time, the median existing-home price rose 13.4% year over year to $416,000. 

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