High home prices may be stymieing job growth in some metros. Over the last five years, affordability has worsened in areas that have seen a decline in job growth, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Association of REALTORS®.Affordability rankings declined in 81 metro areas—in the third quarter of 2019, 34 of them saw non-farm job growth fall faster than compared to the national rate over the previous five years.These 81 me
Seventy percent of homeowners admit that they’ve copied their next-door neighbor’s decor. The most common similarity was to their neighbor’s indoor furniture, according to a new international survey from the U.K. of 2,275 homeowners from My Job Quote, a job network resource.And while imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery, most homeowners say—65%--say that they’re uncomfortable when they learn a neighbor has copied them. Yet, w
Stainless steel can be tough to keep sparkling, particularly the kitchen sink. Stainless steel can be prone to scratching, and hard water can leave behind marks. Further, very hot items that come into contact with a stainless steel sink can cause it to become discolored, known as “blueing.”So, how do you keep your stainless steel sink shining during showings? Houzz, a home remodeling website, interviewed designers to find out, and the best ap
Most buyers have “hardwood floors” and “granite countertops” on their minds when reading listing ad copy, but their preferences can differ somewhat after that. Depending on where consumers live, they may be more apt to be drawn to listing ads that point out the “cozy fireplace,” “pool,” or “brick home.”Point2 Homes, an online real estate marketplace, analyzed more than 1.2 million listings in July 2019 to see the most common w
On average, homeowners spend about 13 years in their home before they move. That means they are staying put longer, with the median home tenure rising by 3 years since 2008, the National Association of REALTORS® Economists’ Outlook blog reports on data from the American Community Survey.But that can vary quite a bit among the country’s 100 largest metro areas. Residents out West, for example, tend to move more often. NAR’s blog highlights
Child care costs have jumped 49% over the last 25 years. The cost of housing has increased by 14% in comparison, according to a new analysis from Freddie Mac.“The list of expenses for a family can be never-ending … and presents challenges for many looking to buy or rent,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “One of the major challenges, when it comes to affording a home, is the high cost of child care. Our analysis finds tha
Some of the hottest housing markets in the country aren’t your flashy coastal areas, but instead are much more modest in size and budget. For the sixth consecutive month, Fort Wayne, Ind., was the top metro on realtor.com®’s rankings of the hottest housing markets, reflecting December data. The rankings are based on where homes are selling the fastest and which metros are fetching the most views on realtor.com®.“I'm not shocked,” Beth W
Renters are finding fewer places that charge a security deposit. That may be good news for tenants, but it’s a source of stress for landlords.Security deposits have traditionally been a way for landlords to protect themselves if a resident causes damage to a property or stops making payments. But the large upfront payments before moving in have proved to be problematic for tenants. Renters can spend more than $3,400 on moving costs, according t
Homeowners who opt to downsize into a smaller place say that saving money was their chief motivator, along with having to manage less space after the children have moved out. But some homebuyers could have downsizing regret as they transition into a smaller home.Homes.com surveyed more than 1,000 consumers who have downsized their homes. They found that those who downsized did tend to spend 62% less than the house they owned prior. However, many
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.64% this week, the lowest level in thirteen weeks. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, says rates dropped as investors sought the safety of the U.S. Treasury’s fixed-income markets in light of the U.S.’s escalating turmoil with Iran. That said, “the drop in mortgage rates, combined with the strong labor market, should propel a continued rise in home buyer demand,” Khater says.Freddi
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