Meanwhile, the NAR is forecasting that total home sales will maintain historically high levels next year, coming in second only to this year's expected record high.The forecast, released at the association's annual Realtor conference and expo in Orlando, Fla., calls for record existing-home sales of 6.55 million this year and 6.30 million next year, and record new-home sales of 1.17 million this year and 1.07 million in 2005. Housing starts are forecast at 1.93 million this year and 1.84 million next year. "At the beginning of 2004, forecasters were calling for a gradual rise in mortgage interest rates, but we've experienced a pleasant surprise for the housing sector," said NAR chief economist David Lereah. "The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now hovering close to 5.7%, and even though we're expecting rates to rise slowly, they will stay in a historically low range and a strong momentum of home sales will carry over into 2005."
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House Republicans overcame internal divisions to narrowly pass President Trump's tax and spending package Thursday afternoon. The measure would cut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding level, among other provisions.
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A labor shortage is costing the market tens of thousands of new homes per year, and tariff uncertainty is adding thousands of dollars in expenses per unit.
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The pace of revenue growth slowed toward the end of 2024, with the trend continuing into the first three months of this year, NAHB reported.
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Capital One closed the deal to buy the credit card provider in May and as part of the review process, decided to exit its home equity lending business.
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The 10 basis point decline in the 30-year fixed mortgage was the most since March and the first time rates are below 6.7% since April, Freddie Mac said.
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The firm, now going by Fairway Home Mortgage, said the change is a representation of plans to create a "connected ecosystem."
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