Hispanics and the Homeownership Divide
Although Hispanics say that owning a home is necessary to live the American Dream, only 45.6 percent do -- only slightly above the 40.2 percent who owned homes in 1900. Hurdles include saving down payments, establishing credit scores and finding the right mortgage.
Asians and the Homeownership Divide
Asians have been deeply affected by discriminatory housing policies from the 20th century, including redlining and restrictive racial covenants. Many Asian Americans, especially first-generation immigrants, face cultural barriers to the U.S. style of lending and home buying.
African Americans and the Homeownership Divide
The homeownership gap between blacks and whites has been the same for more than a century. Here's a look at how redlining, minority loan restrictions, government funding of white-only suburbs and other factors account for that stark reality.
Homes ‘Earn’ at Least Minimum Wage in Almost Half the Largest U.S. Cities
The rapid pace of home value appreciation over the past year may present homeowners in several large U.S. markets with an interesting dilemma: Why work a 9-to-5 slog, when you can sit back and collect substantial hourly home equity “earnings” instead?
Trade Tensions Have Yet to Touch Mortgage Rates, Which Remain Steady
Fears over an escalation in trade tensions between the United States and China have not meaningfully spilled over into bond markets. That could change at any time.
Lucrative Listing Descriptions: The Surprise Features to Stress When Selling
Of all homes listed for sale on Zillow between 2016 and 2017, those mentioning “steam shower” in their listing descriptions earned sellers a 29 percent higher sale price than listings that didn’t mention it, the highest premium among more than 100 listing terms analyzed by Zillow.
Rents on Single-Family Homes Growing Faster Than Apartment Rents
At the national level, it’s less expensive to rent a single-family home than a more traditional apartment in a larger, more multifamily building. That could change, because single-family rents are growing at a noticeably faster annual pace.
Notable Housing Numbers From March 2018
What's the median home value in Tampa, the best market for first-time homebuyers? What share of her income does a homeowner pay for a typical home in Oklahoma City, the most affordable market in the country? How much does the average homeowner spend on closing and other "hidden" costs of selling a home? We have the answers!
Why Late Spring Is the Best Time to List a Home For Sale
Nationwide, the first half of May is the best time to list a home for sale in order to maximize sale price and minimize time on market. U.S. home sellers listing in early May can expect to sell almost two weeks sooner and for a $2,400 premium, on average, over listing at other times of the year.
Global Tumult Helps Keep Mortgage Rates Low
Just as macroeconomic fundamentals are poised to push rates higher, geopolitical fears seize the headlines, prompting a financial flight to safe assets and pushing mortgage rates downward.
