Florida Agency Network Names Hersem General Counsel
April 11 2025 | |
Hersem joins FAN with over 20 years of experience in title insurance and real estate law, including roles as underwriting counsel for two national underwriters. Hersem started her career in her family’s title insurance business and has since gained extensive experience in foreclosure, bankruptcy, probate, eviction and other areas of civil practice. She also has considerable familiarity with all elements of the closing process from contract to warehousing.
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NAR and Realtor.com® Recognize 2025 Fair Housing Champions
April 10 2025 | |
"Ensuring that every individual has a fair opportunity to achieve homeownership is fundamental to our mission," said NAR President Kevin Sears. "These remarkable Realtors® have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering stronger communities. Their efforts serve as a model for our industry and a beacon of hope for those striving to achieve the American Dream."
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Remodeling Market Sentiment Down in the First Quarter
April 10 2025 | |
“Rising homeowner equity and limited opportunities to move into other homes is still supporting the home improvement market and keeping remodeler sentiment positive,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison, a remodeler from Raleigh, N.C. “Sentiment is not quite as positive as it was last quarter, however, as some remodelers are reporting that uncertainty about tariffs and the direction of the economy are making customers hesitant to spend on larger projects.”
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NAHB's New Study Provides Statistics and Data on Builder Financial Performance
April 09 2025 | |
“Success in the building industry is not just about constructing homes—it’s about building a financially sound and efficient business,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “This new title offers the resources and data that industry professionals need to understand to help benchmark their business and put them on the road to success.”
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Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 09 2025 | |
“Mortgage applications increased by 20 percent to its highest level since September 2024, driven by purchase and refinance applications picking up in a volatile week where economic uncertainty caused rates to drop across the board. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.61 percent, the lowest rate since October 2024,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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Top Remodeling Projects for Homeowner Satisfaction and Cost Recovery Revealed in NAR Report
April 09 2025 | |
"This report demonstrates that demand for remodeling remains robust, with 42% of NARI members experiencing an increase in contracting projects and 57% observing larger project scopes over the past two years," says NARI President Jason Hensler. "Homeowners are discovering significant value and joy in these investments – from smaller upgrades, such as front doors and windows, to major renovations like kitchens and primary suites."
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NAR Advocates for Association Health Plans in Congress
April 02 2025 | |
"NAR strongly supports restoring access to association health plans, which provide high-quality, affordable health coverage for America's self-employed professionals, including Realtors®. Angela Shields' testimony before Congress underscores the need to address the health insurance challenges many of our members face."
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
April 02 2025 | |
“Treasury yields continue to be volatile as economic uncertainty dominates markets. Most mortgage rates finished last week lower, with the 30-year fixed essentially unchanged at 6.70 percent. Last week’s level of purchase applications was its highest since the end of January, driven by a 3 percent increase in conventional purchases, while government purchase applications were down 2 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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U.S. Housing Economy Growth to Slow with Tariff and Labor Supply Risks
April 01 2025 | |
Cost pressures from higher tariffs and immigration restrictions, together with weakening consumer and homebuilder sentiment, amplify the downside to our various housing market forecasts. Trade protectionism will increase prices on key material construction inputs. Foreign born, non-citizen workers represent an overwhelming share of key specialty construction occupations, and immigration restrictions are likely to raise labor costs.
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Millennial Buyers Prefer Better, Not Bigger Homes
April 01 2025 | |
Millennial buyers say they want a home with a median of 2,408 square feet, the most requested amount of interior space compared to other generations, according to NAHB. However, more than half (52%) of millennial home buyers say they would rather purchase a smaller house with higher-quality products and amenities than a bigger one with fewer amenities.
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Baby Boomers Regain Top Spot as Largest Share of Home Buyers
April 01 2025 | |
"In a plot twist, baby boomers have overtaken millennials – the largest U.S. population – to become the top generation of home buyers," said Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research. "What's striking is that half of older boomers and two out of five younger boomers are purchasing homes entirely with cash, bypassing financing altogether."
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