R. Clark Smith IV

“Many renters believe they will never be able to buy their own home because of insufficient credit. We can responsibly expand mortgage eligibility by including positive rent payment history in underwriting risk assessments.” Hugh R. Frater, CEO on Fannie Mae’s newest initiative. TOP STORY: The Kids Will be All Right Housing news headlines over the … Read more

“Constructing homes with universal design principles can give builders a leg up on the competition. Universal design expands a home’s livability to all people, limits the need for removations in the future, and the concept can support aging in place. probujlder.com TOP STORY: Designing for Everyone The concept of Universal Design (UD) has been around … Read more

“The pandemic has been a big source of unexpected shifts in supply and demand for all kinds of goods. It’s understandable that new- construction homes, and the materials to make them, are suffering from an unprecedented price increase that has many homebuyers and builders reeling from sticker shock.” Danielle Hale, chief economist, Realtor.com TOP STORY: … Read more

“Increasing the supply of  homes for sale would certainly help bring balance to this strong seller’s market, but unfortunately the most recent data doesn’t suggest that inventory is likely to improve in the near future.” Fannie Mae SVP Doug Duncan TOP STORY: It’s Not Passe To Be Green To say that it has been a … Read more

“88% of buyers recently purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker…. Having an agent to help them find the right home was what buyers wanted most when choosing an – k agent at 51%.” NAR, Profile of Buyers and Sellers TOP STORY: What Realtors Do For Buyers and Sellers. People who hire … Read more

“The run-up in home prices is good news for current homeowners but sobering for prospective buyers. Those looking to buy need to save for a down payment; and closing costs, which are much higher as home prices go up. Add a rise in mortgage rates and the affordability challenge for first-time buyers becomes even greater” … Read more

“Home – prices are rising faster than rents and wages. Yet, home ownership is still more affordable, as amazingly low mortgage rates that dropped to around 3% are helping to keep the cost of rising home prices in check,” Todd Teta, ATTOM Data Solutions. TOP STORY: Eye of the Beholder What decides a home’s value? … Read more

“The past year or so has shown how valuable real estate is in the country, both to our nation’s economy and to individuals who have been given an opportunity to rethink their location and redesign their lifestyle,” NAR President Vince Malta TOP STORY: A New Appreciation The old saying “be careful what you wish for” … Read more