NAR

Hopes that tax reform might soften a weakening of the mortgage interest deduction were quickly dashed as the GOP plan landed a double punch on the incentive cherished by the mortgage and housing industries.

Recent home buyers found it easier getting a mortgage compared with last year's purchasers, but first-timers are being held back by a lack of inventory and student debt, according to a National Association of Realtors survey.

Lennar Corp.'s record takeover of CalAtlantic Group Inc. is a bullish sign for homebuilding in the U.S. Trade groups, meanwhile, worry that lawmakers are about to kneecap the industry.

A gauge of contract signings to purchase previously owned homes was unchanged in September at the lowest level since the start of 2016 as Hurricane Irma depressed sales in the Southeast and a limited number of listings restrained activity elsewhere.

Strong growth in the sale of existing homes in Lake County in September was almost enough to pull the seven counties that make up the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors into positive territory for the month.

Some housing groups are warming to an idea that they say could help more Americans benefit from housing-related subsidies than the mortgage interest deduction.

A group backed by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch unveiled a television and digital campaign that argues "corporate welfare" threatens Republican efforts to dramatically alter the U.S. tax code.

Nondepository mortgage bankers and brokers increased their headcounts in August, but hurricane recovery efforts and other macro factors may stymie additional growth.

Consumer views on the economy and finances are not to blame for the retreat in existing-home sales in four of the past five months, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Statewide home sales rose during August, despite a nationwide pullback in purchases of previously owned properties.