Housing markets

Building on a prior initiative, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta is making available $5 million in grants to support efforts to assist owners of heirs' property.

There is a $446 difference between typical rent payments and typical mortgage payments in New Orleans.

While housing demand remains strained, national home price appreciation continued to make more room for buyers in August, according to First American.

Contract closings decreased 2.5% from a month earlier to a 3.86 million annualized rate, according to figures released Thursday from the National Association of Realtors.

The government agency also finalized a rule that will bring virtual home buyer counseling services to consumers.

Fannie Mae's economists are pessimistic about the future for existing home sales, reducing its purchase volume outlook in both 2024 and 2025.

U.S. housing starts bounced back in August after tumbling a month earlier, illustrating uneven residential construction as builders weigh inventory levels against brighter demand prospects tied to falling borrowing costs.

Changes to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards include allowing the building of two-to-four family units on a permanent basis.

Confidence among U.S. home builders rose in September for the first time in six months, just before the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates from the current two-decade high.

Asked about inflation risks ahead, she pointed to the impact of housing on the consumer price index, describing it as the "stickiest piece." Stripping out housing, the U.S. consumer price index is only rising about 1.8%, she said.