Homebuyers looking for a purchase loan and homeowners who want to refinance are responding well to low mortgage rates. “While mortgage rates generally held steady this week, overall mortgage demand remained very strong, rising over 50% from a year ago thanks to increases in both refinance and purchase mortgage applications,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist. "As economic growth decelerates, it is clear that low mortgage rates wi
Home shoppers are increasingly sizing up the yard space of homes they’re considering purchasing. The top outdoor features they’re eyeing include the deck, entertainment space potential, and size of the front yard.However, the reality that many consumers are facing is that most new homes have less yard space. Having more space for a larger home is one reason. But a fallout from higher costs of lots and rising
The kitchen continues to gain popularity as a multifunctional and social space, and its design is increasingly reflecting that, according to Cosentino Group’s newly released “2019 Global Kitchen Study,” a reflection of worldwide trends in kitchen design. The study compiles findings from a survey of kitchen studios around the world and insights from design experts.“While losing its nature as a purely ‘culinary’ space, the kitchen
Certain home remodeling projects are making homeowners happier and proving to be well worth the cost and time when they sell their properties, according to a new survey from the National Association of REALTORS®, which includes insights from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.After completing a home remodeling project, 74% of more than 2,100 consumers surveyed reported having a greater desire to be in their home, 65% say th
Americans are growing concerned by the growing threats of an economic slowdown, but that doesn’t seem to be affecting housing. Recent housing reports are showing that lower mortgage rates are buoying buyer demand into the fall months.“Despite fears of an economic slowdown, the housing market continues to be a bright spot in the economy,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While mortgage rates have ticked up in recent weeks
The National Association of REALTORS® has named five real estate professionals as its 2019 Good Neighbor Award winners, spotlighting the practitioners’ impact on their communities through volunteer work. Five honorable mentions also have been named. The honorees represent many noble causes, from housing homeless military veterans to fundraising for new treatments for sick children.This year marks the association’s 20th celebrating the Good N
The living room—that main gathering spot in a home—is a critical part in your showings. Home stagers recently chimed in at Apartment Therapy with their favorite tips for creating a better-staged living room.One of their biggest pieces of advice centered on the tendency to cram too much furniture into one space. Ensure the living room has proper flow with sizable walkways among furnishings. Nathan Thompson with Pavilion Broadway, a luxury inte
For the first time in 25 years, federal regulators are increasing the property value limit under which buyers of certain homes must obtain an appraisal as part of the selling process. Federal banking agencies have approved a plan enabling certain homes worth $400,000 or less to be subject to an evaluation rather than an appraisal.The last time this threshold changed was in 1994, when regulators set the rule for properties worth $250,000
Despite some pushback against the open floor plan, it remains a popular layout concept for younger buyers and homeowners. Forty-three percent of millennials say they want a completely open plan for their family and dining rooms, a higher share than any other generation, according to research from the National Association of Home Builders.However, the desire for an open layout tends to drop with age: Only 40% of Generation Xers, 37% of baby b
Bathrooms are getting more technological. Many homeowners say they desire to play music in the bathroom, and they’re adding in voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home to make it easier to do so, new research from the National Kitchen & Bath Association shows. “Bringing voice control into the bathroom is a big request,” David VanWert, a technology integrator in Los Angeles, told Forbes.com. “Being able to ask your house
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