Existing-home sales rose 3.2% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million, the highest since December 2025, despite slightly higher mortgage rates. The median home price hit a record $429,300, marking 35 consecutive months of year-over-year increases. Affordability improved across all regions, with first-time buyers accounting for 35% of sales. Inventory rose slightly to 1.55 million...
The 20% down payment on a home is a convention, not a requirement. While it avoids private mortgage insurance (PMI), saving that amount can delay buying and increase costs due to rising home prices. Loans with as little as 3% down exist, with varying PMI costs. Different loan types—conventional, FHA, adjustable-rate, and interest-only—offer flexibility. Assistance programs and hybrid loans can also...
California faced pressure retaining its middle class as affordability concerns and an unattainable Real Estate market shaped where families chose to build homes and careers. Even with housing strain, California remained a global innovation powerhouse in AI, biotechnology, and quantum hardware, with >1.5M tech workers generating ~$542.5B annually. The state...
Millennials are the fastest-growing segment in upscale Real Estate in current 2026, with luxury agents seeing strong interest above $5M from younger buyers. Buyers in their 30s and 40s are purchasing $7M to $25M homes, supported by tech wealth and early family transfers from parents. Tax-free lifetime gift limits began in Early-Q1 2026 at up to $15M per person or...
San Diego saw a recent price drop of ~3%, surprising for a longtime investor favorite while the city's longer-term growth potential still looked appealing. A strong job market, especially in technology and biotechnology, continued supporting San Diego's appeal and kept the city desirable for professionals considering housing choices. The pullback...
Many borrowers who purchased homes between 2023 and 2025 could still save money by refinancing, even with current rates above 6.5%. At a 6.37% rate, 32.5% of recent borrowers might benefit, with average annual savings of $2,320. Savings improve if rates drop to 6%. Refinancing costs must be weighed against monthly savings, typically requiring about a half-point rate drop to be worthwhile. Geographic...
Buying a home involves key steps: determining your must-haves, choosing a home type, estimating mortgage affordability, and planning for down payment and closing costs. Shop for homes and lenders, get pre-approved, submit competitive offers, and conduct home inspections. After closing, maintain the property, save for emergencies, and continue retirement savings. First-time buyers may qualify for...
In Q1 2026, owner-occupied real estate value reached a record $48.7 trillion, up $810 billion from the previous quarter and $1.2 trillion over the year. Mortgage debt hit an all-time high of $13.8 trillion, growing 2.8% annually but slower than recent years. Home equity rose to $34.9 trillion, or 71.6% of property value, providing a strong cushion against potential home price declines. Continue to...
A new home-search feature helps US buyers compare long-term ownership costs, adding maintenance, utility, and replacement estimates for newly built and resale homes. An accompanying analysis found newly built homes save buyers avg. $25.3K over the first 10 yr of ownership versus 20-yr-old homes nationwide. The shift reflects affordability decisions moving beyond...
A current housing expectations survey points to modest US price growth through 2028, giving buyers and sellers a calmer planning baseline today. Panelists expect US home prices to rise ~2% in 2026, ~2% in 2027, and ~3% in 2028, signaling steady appreciation, not a rapid surge. Price trends touch buyers, sellers, and homeowners differently, so even modest...
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