Many people are hoping mortgage rates will come down before they buy a home. But will that actually happen? According to the latest forecasts, experts say rates will decline, but not by as much as a lot of people want. The good news? Even if they don’t drop substantially, there are still ways to make buying a home more affordable. Full article here: How To Buy a Home Without Waiting for Lower...

Here are the February/2025 MLS single-family statistics for Austin, TX: At first glance, it may look like February broke with our improving market trend in the past few months since there are so many red categories.  However, Feb/2024 was one of only 2 months in all of 2024 that had 6 green categories (only 2 red ones) so it was clearly an aberration from the norm.  For instance, Jan/2024 had...

When you think about housing-related investments, homebuilder stocks should come to mind. These companies turn the dream of new housing into reality. They buy up land, design communities, and build homes that make the dream possible. The next homebuilder boom could already be underway. And the eventual upside could be massive in the months ahead. Full article here: Homebuilder Stocks Could Jump...

Austin is the fifth-ranked city in the U.S. for technology and sustainability, according to a study from CoworkingCafe. The study, which aimed to identify the 2025 top ‘smart cities’ in the country, looked at the top U.S. metro areas making the largest strides in tech-driven urban development, sustainability policies, accessibility and job opportunities. Full article here: Austin ranks 5th...

Mortgage rates are easing slightly and expected to hover in the mid-6% range in the coming weeks, says Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®. It may bode well for the spring homebuying season: “Buyers can plan and search for homes without the uncertainty of fluctuating mortgage rates,” Lautz says. Full article here: Will Lower Mortgage Rates Make Home...

Fewer jobs are being created. Fewer people are moving in. Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high. Home prices are still elevated relative to where they were. All those factors will combine with reducing demand for housing in the Austin region this year, real estate expert Eldon Rude told 700 industry professionals Feb. 18 at his 22nd annual housing market forecast.   Full article...

More than ever, homeowners want to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to remodeling. While many folks are staying put with their homes long term, others are looking to take advantage of the great prices a home can go for right now in the market. Either way, you may feel like your house needs a bit of sprucing, so consider all your options.  Full article here: These...

Austinites can now get a first look at the new Austin Convention Center. City staff and architects revealed renderings of the $1.6 billion Unconventional ATX project, showcasing the extensive expansion of the existing building downtown on East Cesar Chavez Street. The existing center is scheduled to close in April for demolition to begin. Full article here: Convention Center renderings...

U.S. single-family house prices increased solidly in December, despite improving supply, which together with elevated mortgage rates will continue to erode affordability. House prices rose 0.4% on a month-on-month basis after an upwardly revised 0.4% increase in November, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said. They increased 4.7% in the 12 months through December. Full article here: US house...

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to the lowest level of 2025, but it doesn’t seem enough to create urgency among prospective home buyers. Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% this week. At this week’s 6.76% rate, the monthly mortgage payment on a $400,000 home would be $2,078, assuming a 20% down payment. With a 10% down payment, the monthly mortgage payment would...