Affordability

US housing market value hits record $55T, but growth is slowing

The total value of U.S. homes has climbed to a record $55.1 trillion, although growth has cooled in the past year amid high housing costs. That figure represents a $20 trillion increase since early 2020 and an $862 billion gain over the past year, according to an analysis released Monday by Zillow. But while the […]

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Los Angeles ‘mansion tax’ fuels record affordable housing funding

Los Angeles will make $387 million available for affordable housing projects — reportedly the largest single funding round in the city housing department history. Applications for the funds opened Sept. 5 and close Oct. 20. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit developers, community land trusts, limited equity housing cooperatives, public entities and other organizations, the

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Rising insurance costs deepen homeownership strain

Homeowners are spending a growing share of their mortgage payments on property insurance, which is now rising faster than principal, interest and taxes, according to the September ICE Mortgage Monitor. Data shows that annual property insurance payments for single-family mortgage holders now average nearly $2,370. That amounts to 9.6% of monthly mortgage-related expenses, the highest

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HUD Innovative Housing Showcase begins Saturday

More than two dozen organizations will present cutting-edge housing and building solutions on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this weekend during the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s annual Innovative Housing Showcase. The event, established by then-HUD Secretary Ben Carson in 2019, is scheduled for Sept. 6–10. “HUD is proud to champion

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Housing market risk steepest in southern, western areas

A growing number of U.S. housing markets face elevated risks from high foreclosure rates, underwater mortgages and rising costs, according to a new report. ATTOM analyzed 579 counties nationwide for its second-quarter Housing Risk Report — with ranking criteria including affordability, foreclosure activity, mortgage equity and unemployment. California and Florida counties were heavily represented among

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Florida House committee to discuss eliminating property taxes

A Florida House select committee will meet later this month to discuss cutting or eliminating property taxes as Gov. Ron DeSantis continues pressing for action. A Thursday post from Florida Realtors said the House Select Committee on Property Taxes is tentatively scheduled to convene the afternoon of Sept. 22 and the morning of Sept. 23.

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Modular construction advancements could help address the housing shortage

Although modular construction has been a long-time construction option, advancements in technology, data and automation are making it more viable at scale, according to recent research from McKinsey & Co., which analyzed more than 700 companies in 50 countries. The data draws on interviews conducted by McKinsey with more than 20 global executives. Its database

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Kimber White’s vision for NAMB: Affordable housing and enhanced mortgage education

Kimber White, the incoming president for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB), is taking the reins of the organization on Oct. 1, marking the second time that he’ll be leading the organization. White originally held the role, which is a one-year term, back in 2020. Five years later, White sat down with HousingWire to

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New bill aims to ‘unlock’ affordable housing funding

U.S. Reps. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., and Mike Flood, R-Neb., introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at making it easier for cities to use federal money to build affordable housing. The Unleashing Needed Local Options to Construct and Keep Housing (UNLOCK) Act would loosen restrictions on how municipalities spend Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Efforts stem from

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Click n’ Close pairs 5/1 ARM with down payment assistance for new homes

Mortgage lender Click n’ Close has rolled out a new financing product that pairs an adjustable-rate mortgage with down payment assistance in an effort to make new homes more accessible to buyers. The program — called the SmartBuy 5/1 ARM Down Payment Assistance product — offers a first mortgage alongside a repayable second mortgage. The

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