As home affordability continues to challenge buyers, builders are now testing the market for smaller, more affordable starter homes – some just 400 square feet.

NAR: Despite gains, racial minorities still faced disparities. Black homeownership lagged at 44.1%; rates for Asian (66.3%) and Hispanic Americans (51.1%) were records.

Census Bureau: Weakness in multifamily starts pushed overall housing starts down 14.8% in January. Single-family building permits rose 1.6%; multifamily dropped 7.9%.

For 25 years now, NAR has honored Realtors who strengthen their communities through their volunteer service. Five winners receive $10K grants for their cause.

The U.S. office vacancy rate ended 2023 at a record high of 19.6%, partially due to remote work from the pandemic solidifying for many workplaces and occupations.

Buyers have had it rough, but some experts think 2024 will see improvement in mortgage rates, home prices and availability of both new and existing homes for sale.

Panhandle residents with housing issues caused by the Jan. 9 severe weather are urged to apply for the RRF grant money to help their recovery efforts.

Attom: Home sellers made a $121K profit on the typical sale in 2023, generating a 56.5% ROI. While still near record levels, it was the 1st decline in over a decade.

Some data shows that global real estate funds operated by private-equity firms held $544B in cash at the end of 2Q 2023, up from $457B at the end of 2Q 2022.

Farm owners in Polk and Putnam counties have signed deals worth nearly $9M with the Dept. of Agriculture to restrict future residential and commercial development.

The popular program should resume taking applications on July 1, but it may be more difficult to secure the home hardening grants of up to $10,000.

Real estate pros should be aware of indications that a client may not be ready to become a homebuyer, such as an unwillingness to seek mortgage preapproval.

Regulators OK’d a plan for insurer Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange to assume up to 400 “commercial residential” policies - that cover condo buildings - from Citizens.

OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator, called Sora, produces high-quality videos that have astounded observers.

More inventory potentially hitting the market paired with stabilizing interest rates allows buyers some breathing room, NEFAR president says.

Developers in S. Florida and elsewhere are adding annexes to new construction, which let relatives like elderly parents have their own space in the same house.

Agriculture in the Big Bend region of Florida took the hardest hit while the storm surge wreaked havoc on businesses, homes and infrastructure.

For the most part, mortgage rates have stabilized — and delaying a purchase could end up backfiring as home prices spike.

Rates on 30-year mortgages ticked up this week, but forecasters remain optimistic they will hover around 6% by the end of the year.

As cyberattacks against large companies happen more frequently, consumers should take precautions to protect their finances.