Zillow has rolled out five new features aimed at streamlining the process of buying, renting and touring homes. The updates — now live nationwide — include a drone-powered virtual viewing tool and offer pricing transparency for rental properties, along with coordinated tour scheduling and affordability estimates. SkyTour allows users to navigate a 3D aerial view […]
Zillow unveils tools to simplify buying, renting, touring Read More »
“Marry the house, date the rate” is a phrase that was popularized during the post-pandemic era of rising mortgage rates. Lenders urged borrowers to focus on finding a house they were head over heels with and worry about their interest rate down the line. Borrowers who were accustomed to rates hovering near 3% didn’t realize
‘Dating the rate’ misled borrowers. Now they’re financially strained Read More »
USA Today publisher Gannett is partnering with AddressUSA, with the companies announcing Monday that they’re entering into a multiyear agreement to power an an online real estate portal across the USA Today Network. According to a press release, AddressUSA’s listings will be integrated throughout the USA Today Network alongside editorial content on topics like home
USA Today jumps into the real estate portal wars Read More »
Despite strong interest in home-buying, affordability challenges and misconceptions about down payments are deterring many potential buyers, according to a new survey from NeighborWorks America. The nonprofit organization reports that 27% of U.S. adults say they plan to buy a home within the next year. However, among those who are postponing or not planning to
Survey: Down payment concerns delay homeownership for many Read More »
Denver-based real estate brokerage West + Main Homes has launched a new home improvement service in partnership with contractor Curbio. The program, called Refresh by West, offers West + Main agents and their clients access to expedited, fixed-price proposals for presale or move-in home improvements. Curbio — a Maryland-based contractor that specializes in residential projects
Denver brokerage, Curbio form home services partnership Read More »
Despite growing attention around all-cash transactions, most Americans — especially first-time buyers — continue to finance their home purchases, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Among primary residence buyers, 74% financed their home purchase in 2024. That share jumps to 91% for first-time buyers, said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief
NAR: Homebuyers still have down payment misconceptions Read More »
Soaring home prices, limited inventory and elevated mortgage rates have exacerbated the housing affordability crisis in many housing markets when viewed in the context of household incomes, which have remained generally stagnant. In a new study, Zillow compiled related metrics to measure the affordability gap in terms of how much more income a household would
The five housing markets where homeownership is still affordable Read More »
Analysts, economists and mortgage professionals are coining this quarter’s activity as one of the most “calm” periods for mortgage rates in recent memory. It follows nearly three years of borrowers being sidelined by higher rates or “stuck” in loans with historically low rates. BTIG analysts said Wednesday that despite Treasury volatility in April, mortgage rates
Stable mortgage rate environment reshapes how LOs engage with borrowers Read More »
A national survey released by NeighborWorks America found that prospective homebuyers overwhelmingly turn to Realtors first when seeking information about the homebuying process — outpacing friends, family and online searches. According to the poll, 41% of respondents who plan to buy a home in the next year — or are waiting for the right time
Aspiring buyers turn to Realtors first in their home searches: survey Read More »
The housing market continued to cool in May, with buyer leverage increasing across many regions of the country, according to a new survey from The Real Brokerage. Real’s May 2025 Agent Survey — which polled more than 260 real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada — points to softening transaction activity and a shift
Survey shows buyers gaining leverage as real estate market slows Read More »