Birth Rates Dropped Most in Counties Where Home Values Grew Most
A recent decline in fertility was sharpest in counties where home values rose the most, and the change was smaller—and sometimes even up —where home value growth was weaker.
Affordability
Construction Worker Wages Are Growing Incredibly Fast
Residential construction worker wages are growing at a 5 percent annual pace, almost double the 2.9 percent pace of wage growth for all workers -- as clear a signal as any of the depth of labor shortages home builders face as they struggle to ramp up building as their costs keep rising.
Having low credit can come with a lot of high costs. A borrower with a “fair” credit score could pay 7 percent more over the life of a 30-year mortgage for the same home as an otherwise identical borrower with an “excellent” score.
Why a Growing Share of Young Adults Live With Mom
Despite a strong economic recovery, the share of young adults living with their moms continues to rise, demonstrating the scars left by the economic downturn and housing bust.
Today’s College Grads Earn More, and Still Live at Home
New college grads have flocked to West Coast tech hubs over the past decade-plus. But as those markets rapidly become less affordable, recent data hints at a changing tide – and suggests rising housing costs nationwide are putting a squeeze on grads’ ability to strike out on their own.
Why White and Asian Home Buyers Have an Advantage Over Black, Hispanic Buyers
A white American household could reasonably afford a home almost two-thirds more expensive than a black household in 2017, giving them significantly more flexibility to find an affordable home last year in an incredibly competitive housing market marked by low inventory.
10 Most Affordable Markets for Renters
Markets with low rents might not be as affordable as they seem when you consider the earning power of people who live there. Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Oklahoma City top the list of metros that pass a more realistic test.
Seattle Commuting Costs: Sacrificing 15 Minutes Can Save Thousands
Seattle commuting costs amount to much more than the price of gas or a monthly bus pass. The value of a typical Seattle metro home that is a 15 minute commute from the city center is $962,000, compared to $632,000 for the same home located a 40-minute commute away.
Most Affordable Markets for Homebuyers
Markets that seem affordable, because their median home price is lower than other areas, may actually be unaffordable for people who live there. Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis top the list of metros that pass a more realistic test.
Rising Mortgage Rates Threaten Housing Affordability and Inventory
A sustained upswing in mortgage interest rates is likely to be felt by current and would-be homeowners alike, denting mortgage affordability in many large markets and complicating the financial decision on when or whether to move to a different home.
