National News

Single-family starts rise in April

Single-family permits also posted a gain, indicating even more new homes are headed to today’s supply-constrained housing market. 

Builder confidence rebounds in May on tight existing inventory

Homebuilder optimism was buoyed by continued shortages of new housing inventory, the National Association of Home Builders reported. 

NAR adds fair-housing training requirement to Realtor qualifications

Realtors will be required to complete two hours of training every three years beginning in 2025. 

FHFA rescinds “unworkable” fee ahead of implementation

The mortgage industry decried the proposed loan-level pricing adjustment for borrowers with higher debt-to-income ratios. 

How far will a $1,500 rent budget go in Atlanta?

A recent Rentcafe study used MLS data from 200 U.S. cities to determine which city offers the most square footage for $1,500 per month. 

MBA: Mortgage applications rise on lower rates

Interest rates on mortgages of all types declined last week, spurring an uptick in borrowing, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported. 

Lawrence Yun: Fed rate hike ‘unnecessary and harmful’

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the Federal Reserve’s latest increase in its benchmark interest rate is an unnecessary threat to many small regional banks.

Keller Williams launches three more enrichment programs for agents

The brokerage says the “business communities” — KW Operations, KW Wellness and KW Clarity — provide agents with specialized training, technology, coaching and referral opportunities. 

NAR: Low inventory drives pending-home sales lower in March

High demand drove multiple offers on about a third of pending sales, while 28% of homes sold above list price, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. 

Atlanta bucks national slowdown in building permits in 2022

Both Atlanta and the state of Georgia saw healthy annual increases in new residential permits last year, defying a broader nationwide contraction. 

March brings rise in single-family construction

U.S. government data shows builders increased the pace of single-family home construction while slowing the pace of multifamily starts. 

NAHB: Builder confidence rose again in April

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose for the fourth month in a row in April as the construction industry remained “cautiously optimistic.”     

Atlanta among top cities for recent college grads

ApartmentAdvisor hails Atlanta’s relative affordability, arts and nightlife and economy in its 2023 Best Cities for College Grads report. 

Atlanta ranked No. 2 for urban gardening

A survey of 200 U.S. cities by LawnStarter found Atlanta was the second-best metro for community gardening. 

NAR’s REALTORS® Relief Foundation offers grants to tornado victims

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation has offered more than $1.6 million in disaster relief aid to help victims of recent tornadoes in Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Optimism for spring selling season grows with third monthly rise in pending sales

The National Association of REALTORS® Pending Home Sales Index rose for the third month in a row, suggesting the housing market’s contraction could be “coming to an end.” 

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