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.
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.
What If the Housing Bust Didn’t Happen?
If the recession and housing bust had never happened, the median U.S. home would have been worth about $214,500 as of the end of 2017 -- $8,200 more than the actual value of $206,300.
Owners of the Most Affordable Homes Gaining Wealth Fastest
Owners of the country’s most affordable homes are gaining equity the fastest, because demand for entry-level homes continues to grow faster than supply.
Fannie and Freddie’s Affordable Housing Hang-Up
Rural markets could be most vulnerable to changes in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s affordable housing goals, and higher home values correspond with significantly fewer low-income mortgages purchased by the mortgage giants.
What We Learned About Housing Over the Past Year
It's been a dynamic year for housing, with affordability continuing to squeeze renters in particular -- and policy changes in Washington, D.C., raising questions about implications for homeowners. Zillow Research explored those and other issues -- from climate change to foreign buyers to home-buying tips. Here's a roundup.
Rising Rents Could Pinch Voucher Holders With Already Shrinking Assistance
In most of the 50 largest metros, both rents and housing assistance will rise together in 2018. But in eight metros, the amount of rental assistance will shrink instead, despite anticipated growth in rents.
