Housing markets

Contract closings decreased 1% from a month earlier to a 3.84 million annualized rate, according to figures released Wednesday from the National Association of Realtors.

The top five states saw an average change in average mortgage rates of 3.15% quarter-over-quarter.

The affordability crisis has moved to the center of national politics, posing complicated challenges for both Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump as they try to woo voters in battleground states with promises to address housing costs.

Harvard University housing experts anticipate home improvement spending to rise in the next 12 months.

Housing starts decreased 0.5% last month to a 1.35 million annualized rate, according to government data released Friday, after a big rebound in August.

Losses related to natural disasters and other perils rose for the seventh year, and that costs both insurers and consumers more money, LexisNexis said.

A measure of housing market conditions from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo increased for a second straight month in October.

The share of homes constructed in community associations rose for the first time in three years in 2023, the National Association of Home Builders reported.

While people are talking about supply, the former National Association of Realtors exec adds more attention must also be given to home insurance affordability.

Likely homeowners have two focuses when deciding on the gadgets they factor into property purchase decisions, according to the National Association of Home Builders.