Home flippers aren’t seeing the returns they once did, according to new numbers from ATTOM Data Solutions. Its latest U.S. Home Flipping Report shows that nearly 78,000 homes and condos were flipped during the second quarter and the typical gross profit was $60,526 – down from $66,932 during the first quarter and $71,000 last year at the same time. Rob Barber, ATTOM’s CEO, says flippers are making money, just not as much as a few years ago. “Flippers are still making money in most markets, but the typical return … [Read more...]

Mortgage rates are higher these days. In fact, the latest weekly survey shows rates up for the sixth-consecutive week. But while mortgage rates have increased, news reports can be misleading. How so? Well, a borrowers’ particular financial position has a considerable impact on the rate they receive. In other words, the rate in the headlines may not be the one you ultimately lock in before closing. In fact, according to one recent analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, a borrowers’ … [Read more...]

Real estate has always been about location but there are definitely times when that’s more true than others. This is one of them. In fact, according to the latest results of the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, there’s currently a considerable gap in home price behavior from one region to the next. Looking at data through the end of July, S&P found that gap to be about 9 percent. Rebecca Kaufman, S&P’s associate director of commodities, says the regional difference is clear. “For the fifth … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates rose again last week. Rates were up from one week earlier across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says it was the sixth-consecutive week rates increased. “Mortgage rates jumped to their highest level in … [Read more...]

Traditionally, buying a brand-new house was more expensive than purchasing something previously owned. But things have changed – and particularly in markets that have seen a lot of recent home building. In Sun Belt markets, like Austin and Tampa, new homes are now selling for big discounts. And, according to a new analysis, the national median price per square foot also shows newly built homes selling for cheaper. For example, the national median price per square foot for a new home is now $205 per square foot. By … [Read more...]

With the end of summer and the arrival of the fall housing market, it’s easy to get the feeling that home buyers are packing it in for the season and things won’t heat up again until next spring. Some of that is the usual seasonal ebb-and-tide. Some of it is the steady rise of mortgage rates over the past several weeks, making affordability conditions more challenging. But while the market may seem like it’s about to hibernate, there’s evidence that buyers may not be ready yet and will move as soon as they see a … [Read more...]

The median sales price of a new house in August 2025 was $417,900. This August, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it was 5.8 percent lower, at $392,200. The affordability relief was welcomed by home buyers, who pushed sales of newly built single-family homes 6.4 percent higher than the month before. Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, says challenges remain. “The gain in new home sales is encouraging but … [Read more...]

Down payments are shrinking, according to a new analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website. The typical down payment during the second quarter of this year was $27,100 or 13.7 percent of the home’s purchase price. Last year at the same time, the median down payment was $29,900 or 14.3 percent. Hannah Jones, senior economist at the site, says home buyers have gained some ground. “Buyers have gained some negotiating room, while higher mortgage rates remain the biggest factor shaping monthly … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates rose again last week. Rates were up from the week before across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate loans. The increases led to falling demand for mortgage loans, though purchase application demand was down just 1 percent from the week before. Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice … [Read more...]

The housing market is becoming increasingly favorable to home buyers after years of favoring sellers. Hopeful home shoppers these days are facing less competition and fewer bidding wars. They’re also getting more concessions. In fact, according to a recent online report, sellers gave concessions in 45 percent of home sales in August, up from 43 percent one year ago and the highest share since 2020. What does that mean? It means buyers are seeing better deals – especially for new homes. In the Southeast and West, … [Read more...]