Real Estate

Signed contracts to buy existing homes in September jumped a surprising 7.4% compared with August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Analysts had been expecting about a 1% gain. These so-called “pending” sales were at the highest level since March and 2.6% higher than September of last year. Since pending sales are based on

Nazar_ab | E+ | Getty Images For most people, buying a home will be the biggest financial transaction they will make. It’s also generally considered a path to build wealth and increase your net worth, financial experts say. In the second quarter of 2024, U.S. homeowners with mortgages had a net homeowner equity of over

A completed planned development is seen in Ashburn, Virginia, on Aug. 14, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images Mortgage demand moved lower again last week, even though mortgage interest rates didn’t move. Total mortgage application volume dropped 6.7% from the previous week, hitting its lowest level since July, according to the Mortgage Bankers

Sales of previously owned homes fell 1% in September compared with August, to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 3.84 million units, the slowest pace since October 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were 3.5% lower than in September 2023. Sales fell in three out of four U.S. regions, with just the

Many factors make it hard to buy a home today, but the one that makes “the biggest difference” in today’s market is the housing shortage, Property Brother Drew Scott said at CNBC’s Your Money event on Thursday. “I don’t think people realize this shortage of housing that we have affects everything,” added his brother Jonathan

Twenty/20 Saving for a home down payment can feel challenging, given current real estate prices. Using the right assets can help give your balance a lift. When you actually need the money is the “biggest driving factor,” said Ryan Dennehy, principal and financial advisor at California Financial Advisors in San Ramon, California. The firm ranked No.

Bond traders are at it again, pushing Treasury yields higher and signaling the Federal Reserve was too heavy-handed when it cut interest rates by a half-percentage point last month. The recently rising yields have put pressure on the stock market — and specifically, names in our portfolio tied to housing. The 10-year Treasury yield —

Hidden inside a 46-story luxury condominium building in Miami is a massive garage where dozens of busy robots whisk cars to and from parking spots. The futuristic 24/7 operation unfolds across a 13-level garage and employs five car lifts, dozens of lasers and hundreds of bar codes embedded in the floors. Residents who pull into one

Matt Champlin | Moment | Getty Images When a real estate agent works with a prospective homebuyer, they’re required to point out physical or material defects in the property. A death on the property? It depends on the state where the house is located. In most states, death doesn’t count as a material defect requiring

Anton Wormann, 32, moved to Japan in October 2018. Courtesy of Anton Wormann Anton Wormann, 32, has always had a passion for DIY projects and creating beautiful spaces. So, after he discovered that his neighbor’s property had been abandoned, he decided to purchase it and bring it back to life. Upon inspection, Wormann discovered that

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers his annual policy address at the Legislative Council on Oct. 16, 2024 in Hong Kong. China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images Hong Kong chief executive John Lee announced moves aimed at addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis, calling it “an issue of great

A commercial building available for rent in Melville, New York, April 17, 2023. Howard Schnapp | Newsday | Getty Images The tide could be turning for commercial real estate. The Federal Reserve began its interest rate cutting cycle in September, lowering the Fed funds rate for the first time since 2020 by 50 basis points,

A pedestrian crosses a road in front of residential buildings in Beijing, China. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images China vowed more financial support for real estate projects that fall under its so-called whitelist and to speed up banks lending of 4 trillion yuan ($561.8 billion) for such projects, according to the nation’s housing

A sign is posted in front of a home for sale on August 07, 2024 in San Rafael, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Mortgage interest rates rose last week for the third straight week, hitting the highest level since August. That caused demand from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers to take a big

Morsa Images | Getty Buying a home is often the biggest financial decision you’ll ever make. It’s not just about choosing a place to live; it’s about making a long-term investment that will impact your financial future for years to come. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a home, there are certain steps you should

Mobile homes surrounded by flood water after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2024. Octavio Jones | Reuters If your home is temporarily uninhabitable after a natural disaster, a provision in your homeowners or renters insurance policy may help you with new lodging and other living expenses. Insured wind and

A for sale sign is displayed outside of a home for sale on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images An abrupt turn higher for mortgage interest rates caused weekly demand from both potential homebuyers and current homeowners to drop. Total mortgage application volume fell 5.1% last

Visoot Uthairam | Moment | Getty Images Home repairs and renovations are expensive. To lower costs, 1 in 3 homeowners are willing to hire a contractor with holes in their resume.  About 33% of surveyed homeowners say they’d consider hiring a contractor with a questionable reputation to save money, according to a new report by

David Hester inspects damages of his house after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024.  Chandan Khanna | Afp | Getty Images It’s crucial to understand how to file a homeowners insurance claim after a natural disaster.  Insured losses alone for Hurricane Helene are now estimated at more than $6

South_agency | E+ | Getty Images Older Americans make up the largest share of homeowners in the U.S. compared to other generations. However, many are renting in their retirement years.  Most older adults, those at least 65 years old, own their homes, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Yet, more than