On January 11, I’m headed to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2017 Zillow Economic Forum, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. This event will focus on the generational, racial, and socio-economic disparities that exist in the housing market. I’m excited to shed light on these disparities and explore ways that we can improve economic opportunity for all Americans.
Policy & Industry
How to Fix Housing Assistance With the Funds We Already Have
We are doing a lousy job providing housing assistance to the millions of Americans that need and qualify for it, failing to reach three in four eligible households. But with disciplined accounting and a hard look at ineffective programs long past their prime, we can essentially bring that number to 100 percent without spending an extra dime.
Home values in counties that voted for Hillary Clinton had a more exaggerated boom and bust than in those that voted for Donald Trump, and homes in counties that voted for Trump are generally more affordable, according to a Zillow analysis of county-level home values, negative equity and affordability.
Getting a Mortgage Was Easier Overall in 2015, But Remains More Challenging for Minorities
Newly released mortgage application, approval and denial data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act show that getting a mortgage continued to get somewhat easier in recent years, a boon to buyers otherwise concerned with fast-moving inventory and intense competition. But despite improvement overall, there remain stark differences in mortgage denial rates and the ease of getting a mortgage between whites and minorities.
How Affordable is Housing in Your Congressional District?
In looking at housing affordability across the nation’s congressional districts, we found home values and rents tend to be higher along the coasts and in denser, urban communities, regardless which party represents a given community in Congress.
Why Vancouver’s New Real Estate Tax Won’t Have a Big Impact on Seattle
I’ve been asked a lot lately: Will Vancouver’s new 15 percent tax on non-Canadian buyers of local real estate push more foreign buyers to consider Seattle-area real estate instead? I understand the concern, but I think in practice, these fears are likely overblown.
Donald Trump on Housing: Big on Identifying Problems, Small on Solving Them
Donald Trump has identified housing issues of real importance, including the need for tax reform and smarter regulations. But he offers very few prescriptions for fixing these problems, and the solutions he does offer largely come instead from establishment Republicans he seemingly so loves to hate.
Swings and Misses: Home Values in Presidential Swing Counties Fell More, and Have More to Recover
Swing counties – counties won by both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates during the past three presidential election cycles – have, on average, experienced a weaker housing market recovery than counties solidly in the Democratic or Republican columns.
It’s Time to Move Forward with ST3: Vote Yes on Sound Transit Proposition 1
At Zillow, we know that investing in transit today means making a down payment on housing affordability tomorrow. That's why it’s time for our region to invest in the down payment for smart growth represented by the ST3 plan, and vote in favor of Sound Transit Proposition 1 on November’s ballot.
Hillary Clinton’s Housing Plans: The Good, The Bad and the Missed Opportunities
Hillary Clinton’s housing plans are detailed and balanced, even while being incremental and unsurprising. Here’s my detailed take on The Good, The Bad and The Missed Opportunities in this area.
