Of the 99 million residential properties in the U.S., approximately 1.4 million (or 1.4%) are vacant this quarter, with “zombie” home rates increasing both quarterly (21%) and annually (5.6%).  

The number of Asian-headed households grew 83% in the past two decades, but economic inequality and inequity between different Asian ethnic regions is still an issue.

Special questions added to the National Association of Home Builders’ monthly builder survey found 90% or more of respondents had experienced shortages of plywood, oriented strand board, framing lumber and appliances, with most other materials also hard to come by. 

Year over year, however, pending home sales were up 57.1%, the NAR said, citing its monthly Pending Home Sales Index.

First-time homebuyers found their long-term plans changed due to COVID.

“Demand is robust throughout the country, but homebuyers continue to be held back by the lack of homes for sale and rapidly increasing home prices.” — MBA Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting Joel Kan

The median sales price of new homes sold in April was $372,400, up from $334,200 in March and $310,100 a year ago. 

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted housing index rose 2% month over month in February and 13.2% year over year, up from a monthly increase of 1.2% in February. 

Housing records continue to be broken, but despite the strong numbers, data could indicate homebuyer demand is reaching a peak.

Higher income, backed up by lower mortgage rates, has expanded the reach of the average homebuyer, but an increased demand for homes has concurrently driven up prices, negating two of the three main factors in First American Financial Corp.’s Real House Price Index.  

The short supply continued to drive increases in the price of homes, with the median existing-home price for all housing types rising 19.1% year over year to $341,600.

The limited inventory that has plagued the housing market continued, although at an abated pace

While the competition was not quite as strong across Atlanta, the 64.8% rate on offers this past April was a sizeable jump from both the 44.1% rate in March and the 39.3% rate in April 2020.

Builder confidence was steady in May, carrying over April’s reading of 83 for another month, according to the most recent National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.

Whether they’re still weary of going to a gym full of people or just looking to work off those extra pandemic pounds in privacy, homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing home exercise rooms.

Americans believe it’s a much better time to sell a home than to buy one, according to Fannie Mae’s latest survey of home purchase sentiment.