“Fixed-rate mortgage rates have dropped 0.6% since November 2018 and today are lower than they were a year ago,” said CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft. He predicts the slowdown in home prices will continue, estimating that home prices will increase by 3.4% in 2019, compared with 2018’s average of 5.8%. TOP STORY: What Goes Up…?…

“New-home size falls prior to and during a recession as homebuyers tighten budgets, and then sizes rise as high-end homebuyers return to the housing market in relatively greater proportions.” Robert Dietz, NAFIB chief economist TOP STORY: The All Important Appraisal Remember the old expression about buying a pig in a poke? For the uninitiated, it…

After softening for much of 2018, the housing market remains stable after a boost from lower mortgage rates and slowing home price growth. FreddieMac.com TOP STORY: Understanding Mortgage Interest Rates It has been years since it seemed necessary to think much about interest rates. There has been the once-a-month ritual of watching and worrying over…

Throughout 2018, 28-31% of non-owners…… said an improvement in their financial situation would be the top reason that would encourage them to buy a home in the future. 26-30% of non-owners said a change in lifestyle-such as getting married, starting a family or retiring-would be the primary reason they would make a future home purchase….

“Look at rising mortgage – rates to play an even greater part in affordability, slowing the market for sellers and impacting buyers. Home prices are still expected to rise, though at a much slower rate than we’ve become accustomed to. Realtor.com forecasts home prices to increase by 2.2% nationally.” Forbes.com TOP STORY: “Once Upon a…