Housing markets

Housing starts increased 7.2% to an annual pace of 1.49 million homes in January, according to government figures out Thursday.

A near-record share of homeowners unable to sell their properties are renting them out instead, with "accidental landlords" accounting for 2.3% of listed rental stock in October, per Zillow data.

Residents in more than half of U.S. counties need greater than one-third of income to successfully manage major housing costs, according to new Attom research.

Contract closings increased 1.7% to a 4.09 million annualized rate, according to National Association of Realtors data released Tuesday.

Active listings grew 7.9% year over year in February, but just 0.2% month over month, reaching more than 914,000 homes on the market, according to Realtor.com.

In the initial aftermath of the conflict, the 10-year Treasury rose by 10 basis points over a two-day period, pushing mortgage rates back above the 6% level.

Applications for renovation financing in 2024 were more abundant in some of the nation's smaller counties and states, than in the largest housing markets.

The housing supply gap hit an estimated 4.03 million, an increase from 3.8 million in 2024, as new construction fell short again, according to Realtor.com.

The former two-time head of the Federal Housing Administration is an industry consultant since he left government service following Pres. Trump's first term.

While overall delinquencies eased in January, foreclosure starts jumped to their highest point since early 2020, signaling growing strain among late-stage borrowers despite steady mortgage performance.

The national median payment applied for by purchase applicants rose from $2,025 in December to $2,070 last month, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Even with the increase in business, Fidelity National Financial reported a net loss for the period, a result of the stock distribution for its life unit.

The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped 8 basis points to 6.09% in the week ended Feb. 20, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday.

Nearly 14% of homes that went under contract last month were cancelled, up from 13.1% last year and the highest January share in records, according to Redfin.

Home prices edged up nationwide, but gains were modest and uneven. Major indexes agree on direction, differ on size, as 2025 posted weak growth.

A median-income household could comfortably afford a $331,483 home with a 20% down payment in January, $30,000 more than a year ago, Zillow found.

The Trump Administration proposed banning a smaller investor size than expected from purchasing more single-family houses, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Research from Andrew Davidson claims a significant number of mortgage borrowers would have a wide variance in credit score if less than three pulls are used.

The increase in borrower activity came as housing starts ended 2025 on a high note, while mortgage rates were a percentage point lower year-over-year.

An index of contract signings fell 0.8% last month to the lowest level in data from 2001, following a revised 7.4% decline in December, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Thursday.