New prediction markets let users trade on where home prices are headed, sparking debate over whether crowd sentiment can meaningfully inform housing decisions. NEW YORK – Prospective home buyers and sellers traditionally rely on familiar signals — days on market, inventory levels and recent sale prices — to judge where prices may be headed. Now, … Read more
Rates on 30-year mortgages rose to 6.16%, up from 6.15% last week, while 15-year rates rose to 5.46% from 5.44%. WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged higher this week to just above its 2025 low. The average long-term mortgage rate rose to 6.16%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s … Read more
The average rate on 30-year mortgages slipped to 6.21% from 6.22% last week. Rates on 15-year mortgages averaged 5.47%, down from 5.54% last week. WASHINGTON – The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged lower this week, staying relatively close to its low for the year. The decline brings the average long-term mortgage rate … Read more
First-time buyers can overlook steps that add real costs, from skipping pre-approval to underestimating expenses and making credit moves before closing. NEW YORK – Buying your first home is exciting and, let’s be honest, a little overwhelming. Between mortgage terms, bidding wars and market pressure, it’s easy to overlook key steps or make snap decisions. … Read more
A new survey shows buyers are focusing on design for 2026, favoring calming paint colors, flexible layouts, quality finishes and curb appeal over square footage alone. MADISON, N.J. — A growing number of home buyers say design features, not just price or location, are shaping their home search for 2026, according to new research from … Read more
NEW YORK — When it comes to their ideal homes, Americans are dreaming big. The typical dream home is a new-construction, ranch-style house, spanning over 2,000 square feet and costing more than $500,000, according to a new survey by Clever Offers. It comes with scenic views of the countryside or water and plenty of outdoor … Read more
Rates on 30-year mortgages ticked up to 6.24% from 6.22% last week, while 15-year rates averaged 5.49%, down from 5.5% last week, Freddie Mac said. WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged higher for the second week in a row, though it remains near its low point so far this year. … Read more
The longest full government shutdown in U.S. history is delaying sales and could lead to catastrophic risk for homeowners and businesses in flood zones, NAR said. WASHINGTON — With the full government shutdown now stretching beyond 30 days, the nation finds itself in unprecedented territory. The effects extend far beyond Washington. Local economies are beginning … Read more
As search habits shift to AI tools, agents should target ready buyers and sellers through local expertise, strong calls to action and multimedia content. NEW YORK — Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) strategies are rapidly losing relevance as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how people find information online. Real estate agents have relied on blog posts, … Read more
The state’s Business Rent Tax has officially been repealed after decades of advocacy by Florida Realtors, saving commercial tenants $2.5 billion annually. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A decades-old state tax on commercial leases, known as the Business Rent Tax, will disappear today after 57 years on the books. Florida Realtors® has been actively working for years … Read more
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