Down payments have been relatively flat lately. In fact, according to one new analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, the average down payment hasn’t changed much at all over the past year. During the third quarter of this year, the typical down payment was $30,400, 14.4 percent of purchase price. Last year at the same time, down payments were $30,300 or 14.5 percent of purchase price. Danielle Hale, the website’s chief economist, says it’s a reflection of the overall housing market. … [Read more...]

Homeowners continued to cash in during the third quarter, according to new numbers from ATTOM Data Solutions. ATTOM’s third quarter 2025 U.S. Home Sales Report shows homeowners who sold a single-family home or condo during the third quarter made a 49.9 percent profit – up from 49.3 percent the previous quarter. Rob Barber, ATTOM’s CEO, says margins have remained steady. “Profit margins remained steady and high throughout the traditionally busier summer selling season,” Barber said. “While continuously rising prices … [Read more...]

The National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index – which measures builder confidence – is based on a monthly survey of builders. The survey is scored on a scale where any number above 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor. In October, the NAHB’s index was up five points to 37, with the component gauging future expectations passing 50 for the first time since January. Robert Dietz, NAHB’s chief economist, says it’s a positive sign for 2026. “The HMI gain in October is a … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were mostly flat last week from one week earlier. Rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans with conforming balances, FHA loans, and 15-year fixed-rate loans were virtually unchanged week-over-week, while rates for jumbo loans and 5/1 ARMs saw increases. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says mortgage demand was lower last week but remains significantly higher than last year’s level. “Mortgage … [Read more...]

Before the pandemic, all-cash home buyers generally made up about 29 percent of home sales. Then, during the pandemic, that share began to climb. These days, despite a more muted market, cash buyers remain a significant share of overall home buyers. In fact, according to a recent analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, they made up 32.8 percent of home buyers during the first half of 2025. Danielle Hale, the website’s chief economist, says cash buyers can be tough competition for … [Read more...]

Whether or not a borrower is approved for a mortgage is determined in part by credit availability. When credit is loose, borrowers will have an easier time. When it’s tight, borrowers will need to have their finances in order if they hope to get a loan. The Mortgage Bankers Association tracks credit availability with its Mortgage Credit Availability Index. The index measures credit on a scale where any increase indicates credit standards are loosening, while declines mean they have tightened. In September, the … [Read more...]

The rate of new home construction matters to every home buyer, whether they know it or not. That’s because the supply of available homes for sale balances buyer demand and new home construction is the fastest way to add supply. When inventory is low – as it has been in recent years – new home construction provides buyers with more options and less competition, while helping to moderate prices on all homes, old and new. So where are new homes being built now? Well, according to the National Association of Home … [Read more...]

Each month, Fannie Mae conducts a survey of Americans asking for their opinions on the housing market and economy, including whether they think it’s a good time to buy or sell a home, whether they think mortgage rates and home prices will go up or down, and whether they feel secure in their jobs and financial situation. The resulting Home Purchase Sentiment Index is a good gauge of where public sentiment is and how Americans feel about real estate right now. According to the most recent results, consumer sentiment … [Read more...]

Now that the summer market has passed and the dust has settled, there’s enough available data to properly analyze how things went. According to one recent breakdown, the numbers look good for home buyers. That’s because the balance of supply and demand has changed and, for buyers, this summer was the best in a decade. The analysis found that there were an estimated 35.2 percent more home sellers than buyers in August, which is the second highest percentage since 2013. The only month with a higher percentage of … [Read more...]

Luxury can mean different things to different people. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say. But while that’s certainly true, defining luxury in the housing market can be a bit more straightforward. For example, a recent analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website defines it by share of the most expensive homes. In other words, the top 10 percent of the most expensive homes in the nation could reasonably be considered luxury homes and, these days, $1 million won’t get you … [Read more...]