The U.S. birth rate fell to an historic low in 2024, continuing a nearly two-decade decline that researchers say is shaped in part by rising housing costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the national fertility rate dropped below 1.6 children per woman last year. The replacement level — or rate needed […]
US birth rate hits record low, housing costs weigh on family planning Read More »
Pacaso on Tuesday announced the launch of the first purpose-built, 30-year mortgage designed for co-ownership of vacation homes in the U.S. The new financing option gives qualified buyers and existing Pacaso owners a standardized way to finance their share of a second home, with a simplified closing process. The product is backed by a $100
Pacaso launches 30-year mortgage for vacation home co-ownership Read More »
Efforts to abolish or deeply reform property taxes are gaining momentum in multiple states — including Ohio — where impassioned debate has cited potential funding shortfalls for local services, seniors being prices out of homes and further effects on the housing market. Howard Fleeter, an economist with the Ohio Education Policy Institute who has worked
Ohio property tax debate intensifies Read More »
The homeownership rate among Black Americans fell to 43.9% in the second quarter of 2024, the lowest level since late 2021, according to Redfin. That was down from 45.3% a year earlier and marked the steepest annual decline since the third quarter of 2021. By comparison, the Hispanic homeownership rate rose slightly to 48.8% from
Homeownership among Black Americans drops to 4-year low Read More »
A new report from FirstHome IQ found that while younger generations express confidence in managing their finances, most still lack core financial literacy skills. The 2025 NextGen Financial Literacy Report, released on Monday, is based on a survey done in partnership between FirstHome IQ and National MI. It includes 500 people between the ages 18
The next generation of homebuyers is ‘overloaded’ and confused Read More »
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
Los Angeles ‘mansion tax’ fuels record affordable housing funding Read More »
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
Rising insurance costs deepen homeownership strain Read More »
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.
Florida House committee to discuss eliminating property taxes Read More »
DossDocs on Thursday announced the launch of Seller Financing Docs, a product aimed at homeowners locked into low mortgage rates who have delayed a home sale rather than trading in their low rate for a higher one on their next home. The product allows sellers to transfer their low-rate mortgage, often in the range of
DossDocs launches wraparound mortgage product Read More »
Homeownership has long been seen as a marker of stability and success. But for many in Generation Z — the youngest group entering the housing market — that dream feels increasingly out of reach. Rising mortgage rates, high home prices, student debt and career uncertainty are reshaping what housing looks like for this generation —
Gen Z offers its thoughts on the renter vs. homeowner debate Read More »