Homebuyers need to earn $111,000 annually to afford the median-priced home, compared with $76,000 for renters. The median household income is $86,000. While that’s a significant gap, the rent-versus-buy gap is the smallest it has been in 3 years. It’s narrowing as buying gets slightly more affordable and renting gets slightly more expensive. Zooming in, […]
Homebuying affordability is improving nationwide after nearly five years during which it generally worsened. That’s because mortgage rates are lower and home-price growth is muted. Affordability is improving in 37 of the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas. It’s improving fastest in Dallas, where the income needed to buy a home has dropped 7.4% year
Seattle and Boston fans traveling to this weekend’s football game would spend the equivalent of three months’ worth of mortgage payments. Seattle renters are spending half a year’s worth of rental payments on going to the game. Boston renters are spending over four months’ rent. For Seattleites traveling to watch their team compete in this
The typical Austin home that went under contract in December spent a record 106 days on the market, compared with 60 days nationwide. A decade ago, Austin was one of the fastest markets. Unsustainable price growth in recent years along with a homebuilding boom have left Austin with more sellers than buyers. That means the
Austin, TX—Once Among the Nation’s Hottest Housing Markets—Is Now the Slowest Read More »
Luxury home prices rose 4.6% in December—more than triple the gain in non luxury prices. Only two major metro areas saw declines. Redfin agents say a lack of quality inventory is propping up prices; the supply of luxury homes for sale posted the slowest growth since April. Pending sales of luxury homes fell 1.1%—the biggest
Luxury Home Prices Keep Climbing Despite Sluggish Demand Read More »
This piece was originally published on Forbes on January 7, 2026. It’s been one year since the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed homes in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. And while residents are still figuring out whether and how to rebuild, speculators have wasted no time buying up distressed properties and vacant land. According
How Climate Disasters Turn Homeowners Into Renters Read More »
