REALTORS & HOMEBUILDERS

Tensions rise between trade groups over lumber tariffs

A lumber trade group is taking issue with the National Association of Home Builders’ stance against President Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian wood products.  Following comments made on Fox Business earlier this week by NAHB CEO Jim Tobin, the U.S. Lumber Coalition called out the homebuilders’ association, which has publicly spoken out against several of […]

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Home remodeling bond sales surge as Americans avoid moving

Wall Street is cranking up the bond machine as US homeowners, finding that buying a new house is out of reach since mortgage rates started climbing in 2022, are instead getting home equity loans and sprucing up their current properties. Roughly $18 billion of bonds, backed by consumer loans on everything from second mortgages to

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SFR giant Invitation Homes starts lending to homebuilders

Invitation Homes is stepping into the lending business, loaning $32.7 million to a Texas developer for a Houston housing project.  The single-family rental giant said the loan to the unnamed builder will support 156 homes, and it will have the option to purchase the project. The publicly traded company, which owns or manages over 110,000

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HUD, USDA defend rule NAHB argues will hike housing costs

The Trump administration is defending new building standards that over a dozen states and a leading industry trade group say will  markedly raise housing costs. A federal judge this week scheduled a hearing which could determine the fate of the lawsuit over the adoption of energy efficiency standards a decade in the making. The Department

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Home prices are fading in the West as inventory rises

More markets are watching falling home prices as the inventory of properties for sale piles up.  Home prices grew 1.6% in May from the same time last year, down from April’s 2% annual growth rate according to Intercontinental Exchange. The company’s Home Price Index is the latest report showing continued growth in the nation’s house

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Housing starts increase on pickup in multifamily construction

US housing starts increased in April as a pickup in multifamily home construction more than offset a decline in single-family dwellings caused by elevated inventory. New residential construction increased 1.6% to an annualized rate of 1.36 million homes, according to government data released Friday. That was in line with the median estimate in a Bloomberg

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Mortgage applications for new homes soar to record high

New-home purchase activity is showing renewed strength this spring, with loan applications hitting their highest mark on record, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage applications for newly constructed single-family homes in April accelerated 5.3% from a year ago, the industry trade group said. On a month-over-month basis, loan volume increased a nonseasonally adjusted 2%

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