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.
Affordability
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.
Singles Can Afford Fewer Than Half of U.S. Homes — and It’s Worse for Women
It takes a single person almost 11 years to save a down payment for a typical U.S. home – more than twice the time it takes a couple. The wage gap means single men can save down payments faster -- and afford a greater share of U.S. homes than single women.
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.
Zillow’s Prediction of 2017 Homeless Numbers in Line With Actual Counts
Predictions of the 2017 point-in-time counts in 17 out of 25 metro areas were within the 99 percent predicted interval.
Rent Growth Catches Up to Income Gains After Slowdown (November 2017 Market Report)
For the almost two years leading up to and including May 2016, rents grew faster than incomes, at times more than three times as fast. Then incomes outpaced rents for more than a year. Now rent growth is catching back up.
As Rents Rise, More Renters Turn to Doubling Up
Thirty percent of working-age adults—aged 23 to 65—live in doubled-up households, up from a low of 21 percent in 2005 and 23 percent in 1990. Adults living with roommates or family members earn 67 cents for every dollar made by adults who live on their own or with a partner.
For people who don't like their market too hot or too cold, these “sweet spots” have strong job and income growth but relatively affordable rents.
