Home Selling

Container Homes for Affordable Housing

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — The idea to start a business that converts shipping containers into affordable homes started around a fire pit. Sandra Whitley and Allison Lyons never did light the fire, but the idea first discussed over the summer had been burned into motivation and then became reality. “It started this summer, but it really … Read more

Is It Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

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The modest drops in rates may make refinancing more attractive to some homeowners, but others are opting to stay on the sidelines.  CHICAGO – After the federal government’s most recent report on inflation showed signs of stabilizing, homeowners with mortgages at high interest rates are among those hoping the lending market will follow suit. While … Read more

Redfin: Lock-In Effect Loosening | Florida Realtors

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Homeowners are increasingly coming to terms with higher interest rates and aren’t waiting to sell, Redfin found. NEW YORK – A growing number of homeowners with low interest rate mortgages aren’t waiting to move until rates have dropped. Rather, they’re increasingly opting to move into new homes and take on higher interest rate mortgages, according … Read more

More Properties Listed, Supply Still Short

Active listings in the U.S. climbed 4.9% in December year over year, but for-sale inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels. LOS ANGELES — The recent pullback in mortgage rates is spurring more homeowners to put their homes up for sale, though the increases so far have been too modest to return the housing market’s inventory … Read more

Florida Lawmakers: Citizens Insurance for All?

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MIAMI – What if state-owned Citizens Property Insurance Corp. became the go-to provider of windstorm coverage for all personal and commercial property owners in Florida who want it? State Rep. Sheldon Roach, who lost his home in Hurricane Ian in September 2022, says it’s an idea worth exploring. “My belief is that Florida eventually and … Read more

Most Homes for Sale in 2023 Not Affordable

Redfin found the average U.S. household could not afford many of the homes for sale in 2023. The problem stems partly from the housing shortage. WASHINGTON – If you found the U.S. housing market impossible you were not alone. In fact, you were in the vast majority, according to a new analysis by the real … Read more

Consumers Expect Mortgage Rates to Go Down

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A Fannie Mae survey found 17% of consumers indicate it’s a good time to buy a home now. WASHINGTON – The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index HPSI) increased 2.9 points in December to 67.2, due primarily to a significant jump in the share of consumers expecting mortgage rates to go down over the next … Read more

Fannie Mae: Consumers Expect Mortgage Rates to Go Down

A Fannie Mae survey found 17% of consumers indicate it’s a good time to buy a home now. WASHINGTON – The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index HPSI) increased 2.9 points in December to 67.2, due primarily to a significant jump in the share of consumers expecting mortgage rates to go down over the next … Read more

Owner-Occupied Multifamily — The Path to Financial Freedom?

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LOS ANGELES – Emily Johnson recalls her first duplex fondly — well, sort of. She rented to a friend’s sister, who ended up being “a nightmare”: The tenant smoked in the house, paid rent late and knocked on Johnson’s door at 11 p.m. with maintenance requests. Nevertheless, Johnson caught the investing bug. That experience 20 … Read more

Average Long-Term U.S. Mortgage Rate Falls to 6.67%

Some economists say home sales will increase in 2024 as mortgage rates ease. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Home loan financing costs eased again this week, pulling the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate down to a six-month low. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.67% from 6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac … Read more