Author: Brad Beckett

As we approach 2023, it’s time for the prognostications and predictions for what the housing market will bring in the coming year.  Just like clockwork, Realtor.com has come out with their annual forecast where they say that, while homebuyers & renters hoping for some financial relief in 2023 will likely be disappointed, they won’t get whiplash either.  Indeed… “While the Realtor.com 2023 forecast anticipates home and rental prices will keep climbing next year, the increases will be much more modest than the huge surges seen earlier this year. Mortgage interest rates, which have become the bane of many first-time and…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was up 0.1% in November, 2022.  However, the all items index was up 7.1% for the 12 months ending in November.  Of note;  The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, more than offsetting decreases in energy indexes.  Indeed… Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The folks over at the Visual Capitalist remind us that America has famously been called a melting pot, due primarily to the demographic makeup of its various cultures, races, religions, and languages.  Today’s interactive infographic assesses how America’s demographics have changed from 1901 to 2020 as population grew from 77 million in 1901 to over 330 million in 2020 – or 330% over the 119 years.  Indeed….  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!! “True to the melting pot moniker, America’s demographics will continue to change dramatically over the coming decades.” Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

On a recent episode of CNBC’s Exchange, Andy Walden, Black Knight VP of Enterprise Research, discussed what he thinks are keeping homebuyers away from purchasing, what pent-up housing demand means for the market in 2023 and other housing-related issues. “[the] Housing market [is] ‘extremely unaffordable’ right now despite rates falling” says Andy Walden, VP of Enterprise Research for Black Knight. Click here to watch at CNBC.com.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that the number of people in the U.S. who spoke a language other than English at home nearly tripled from 23.1 million (roughly 1 in 10) in 1980 to 67.8 million (almost 1 in 5) in 2019.  Interestingly, at the same time, the number of people who spoke only English also increased, growing by approximately one-fourth from 187.2 million in 1980 to 241 million in 2019.  This data along with much more, were recently released in a report called Language Use in the United States: 2019, that uses data from The American Community Survey. “The…

A recent analysis from Zillow says as the share of buyers purchasing a home for the first time rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, Wichita, Kansas tops the list for for potential first-time home buyers.  In fact, six metros in the Midwest are on that list as well with  First-time buyers now represent 45% of all buyers nationwide. “Although housing affordability is extremely challenging these days, some markets will be more hospitable than others for first-time home buyers…These metros are potential hotbeds for those looking to buy their first home. Not only will shoppers find more affordable monthly mortgage costs…but rent also…

According to ATTOM Data’s latest U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there were 30,677 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings (default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions).  This figure was up 57% from one year ago but down 5% from October.  In addition, they report that REOs represented 3,770 U.S. properties in November, 2022, down 9% from October but up 64% from on year ago.  States with the the most REOs in November included: Illinois (343), New York (313), Pennsylvania (220), Michigan (210), and Ohio (208). “We may be at or near a peak level of foreclosure activity for 2022…While foreclosure starts and…

According to Black Knight’s latest Mortgage Monitor, 8% of all homes purchased with a mortgage in 2022 are now at least marginally underwater and nearly 40% have less than 10% equity stakes in their home, a situation most concentrated among FHA/VA loans. Over 25% of those FHA/VA purchase mortgage holders have negative equity, with 80% having less than 10% equity.  In addition, Black Kinight said that while home prices continued to pull back in October, the month’s 0.43% decline (a seasonally adjusted 0.13% decrease) was the smallest seen since prices peaked in June. “Though the home price correction has slowed,…

Recently we posted about the record number of delistings.  Now, a recent report form Realtor.com says that in several U.S. metros, as many as half of the homes on the market have cut their listing prices.  Their data shows that sellers are slashing prices largely in the areas that had been hottest over the couple of years.  Indeed… “The unifying thread among these states,” says George Ratiu, senior economist and manager of economic research for Realtor.com, “is they have all seen a significant influx of buyers of the last 2.5 years.” Click here to read the full story at…

Last week we were talking lights…..Now let’s discuss trees.  Have you put yours up yet?  Well, this week’s infographic from the Home Depot asks;  “What’s your Christmas Tree personality?” – starting off by asking what’s your favorite pizza and going from there.  Okay……   Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!!! Hat tip to the Home Depot.