Real Estate for Everyone with Kristina Smallhorn

The US housing market has reached a record valuation of $47 trillion, surpassing the previous year's record of $46.6 trillion, due to a scarcity of homes boosting prices, according to Redfin. Tight inventory has propelled the market's value to a new peak, despite a $2.9 trillion decrease between June 2022 and February 2023 because of rising mortgage rates. The dominance of low fixed mortga...

he U.S. housing market has seen a decline in international buyers due to high mortgage rates, increasing home prices, low supply of homes, and a strong dollar, with purchases dropping by 14% from last year to 84,600 homes - the lowest since 2009. Despite buying fewer homes, overseas buyers paid more, with a median price of $396,400. The top countries for buyers were China, Mexico, Canada, India, a...

Office-to-housing conversions are experiencing a surge in the housing market in 2023 as office vacancy rates remain high. Smaller, older properties in favorable locations are attractive to home investors for conversion projects, even though the process can be costly. Some state and local governments are taking steps to simplify and facilitate the conversion process. The COVID-19 pandemic has resha...

The housing market supply for the past month dropped another 5%. Mortgage rates have reached a new high of 6.96% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, making it increasingly difficult for buyers to afford homes. The lack of inventory is identified as the biggest hurdle, driving up prices and limiting choices for home buyers. Despite a slight decrease in home prices over the past few weeks, the declin...

n the second half of 2023, the U.S. housing market is heavily influenced by mortgage rates, which have kept housing in a state of suspension in the first half. High rates have deterred potential buyers while existing homeowners with low mortgage rates are reluctant to sell and face higher borrowing costs for their next home. Despite high demand and falling home prices, the market remains relativel...

In June 2023, homebuyers received some positive news as home prices decreased for the first time in six years. However, a new problem has emerged as the number of homes for sale has started to shrink, marking the first decline in over a year. This development sheds light on why home prices have remained high despite the drop. The decrease in inventory can be attributed to fewer newly listed homes,...

According to a recent article, the US housing market's recent robust performance suggests that the country's economy may have successfully evaded a recession. Housing starts surged by nearly 22% in May, accompanied by a rise in building permits, indicating builders' confidence in demand. The historical correlation between housing market trends and the overall economy suggests that the...

Housing Market Mortgage rates remain high, home sales — and in some areas, home prices as well — are hitting the brakes, and uncertainty is permeating the market. It’s no wonder many homeowners, prospective sellers, and hopeful buyers are feeling nervous. As of June 14, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.86 percent. The Federal Reserve raised rates for 10 meetings in a row in an ef...

In the ever-changing housing market, a strong force has appeared. It's the era of ALL Cash Buyers, a powerful group that has become very important and influential. They have a firm hold on the market and are changing how real estate transactions work. With their strong financial skills and ability to make quick cash deals, they can quickly buy the best properties, leaving regular buyers behind...

Even though home prices have been dropping a bit recently and there's been talk of a housing market crash, experts say this isn't likely to happen. Why? Because people still really want to buy homes, but there aren't enough homes available for everyone. This keeps prices from falling too much. Builders who make new homes are feeling confident, which could mean more houses being built s...

The current state of the housing market highlights a challenging period ahead. The increasing difficulty faced by prospective homebuyers due to rising prices, limited supply, and intense housing competition. Various factors driving this brutal era, including high construction costs, labor shortages, and the impact of climate change on housing availability. Additionally, the role of investors and s...

To address this issue, many builders are opting to reduce the size of homes. Major housing markets across the country are currently overpriced, and reducing square footage is one of the strategies employed by home builders to combat the affordability crunch. The focus is on reallocating home space, and prioritizing larger kitchens and outdoor living areas while downsizing secondary bedrooms and sh...

The current housing market is suffering from a lack of inventory, which has a significant impact on homebuyers. New listings for homes have dropped significantly, and the number of homeowners deciding to sell their homes is at the same level as early in the pandemic. Many potential move-up buyers feel trapped by their current low mortgage rates and are hesitant to sell, leading to even fewer homes...

According to housing experts, a lack of sellers is the biggest problem in the housing market, creating a stalemate. While there is interest among buyers with mortgage applications increasing by 10% in March, the number of homes for sale is low. Homeowners inclined to sell are hesitant to do so because of the high prices and mortgage rates they would face as buyers. More than three-quarters of sell...

The latest housing market data shows that March housing numbers dropped by 3%, indicating a slowdown in the market. However, despite this decline, housing continues to be unaffordable for many Americans, particularly in high-cost markets where housing prices have risen significantly in recent years. This trend highlights the ongoing challenges facing policymakers as they seek to address housing af...

The US housing market saw a historic decline in home sales in the second half of 2022 but has since stabilized due to improved home buyer confidence, tight supply, and slight declines in home prices and mortgage rates. According to CoreLogic, the housing market may return to growth mode, with a 0.8% home price uptick in February after seven consecutive months of home price declines. However, not e...

The current housing market, characterized by fluctuations and instability, is already transforming as we enter the busier spring seasonal period. Increased activity during this time is causing the market correction to lose steam, with the potential for greater demand for affordable properties to offset previous declines and stabilize the market. This development is crucial for buyers and sellers,...

For the past 3 months I've have heard more instances of fraudulent real estate transactions than I have in the 15 years I've been in real estate. This Housing Market trend seems to finally hit even realtors, home buyers and home sellers and everyone in between from title to closing. Today we take a look at this fraud that's it being used against you to steal your data, your identity an...

Attention homeowners and potential buyers: Are you wondering how collapsing banks could impact mortgage rates? Our team of real estate experts has you covered. We're breaking down the current state of the banking industry and exploring what it could mean for your home-buying or refinancing plans. Our panel of experts provides valuable insights on the potential fallout of collapsing banks on th...

We'll be discussing the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB) and its potential impact on the housing market. SIVB, a bank that specialized in serving the venture capital market, experienced a sudden increase in deposit outflows and a failed attempt to raise equity, leading to its shutdown by US regulators. This is the largest bank failure since the financial crisis. The collapse of SIVB h...

Are you feeling discouraged by the current state of the real estate market? Do you believe that only the wealthy have a shot at purchasing a home? If so, you're not alone. In my latest podcast episode, I dive deep into the complex factors contributing to the growing wealth gap in the housing market. So if you're tired of feeling like homeownership is out of reach, join me for an eye-opening conver...

"First Time Home Buyers are Getting Some Money!" is a podcast that delves into the details of a government program aimed at helping new homeowners in the United States. The program offers up to $800 in financial assistance to first-time homebuyers. We will also discuss wall streets obsession with single-family homes to recent them out. Institutional investors may control 40% of U.S. single-family...

Homebuyers are back? The recent drop in mortgage rates could be a major factor. Mortgage rates fell almost a full point from their peak of 7.08% on November. If you're planning to buy a home this spring, you may want to brace yourself for some challenges. The housing market has experienced a significant slowdown in the second half of 2022, as home sellers pulled their listings from the housing mar...

The housing market is currently in a frenzy, with buyers and investors vying for the most affordable homes. In this podcast, we take a closer look at the factors driving this competition and what it means for home buyers. From low-interest rates to a lack of inventory, the competition for budget-friendly homes is becoming increasingly intense. We also share tips for buyers looking to secure a grea...

Despite a recent drop in mortgage interest rates to 5.99%, the cost of owning a home remains unaffordable for many individuals. Although a lower interest rate can make a mortgage more manageable, it does not necessarily equate to lower home prices. The housing market is influenced by a variety of factors, including supply and demand, local economies, and government policies, all of which can drive...