Can an Airbnb crackdown really make New York more affordable?

Aug 24, 2023
The explosion of short-term rentals has exacerbated the city's housing crisis.
A New York City study found that the larger the number of Airbnbs, the higher the rents in a neighborhood. Above, a view of the Manhattan skyline.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

"Date the rate, marry the house": The lure of refinancing when buying a home

Aug 22, 2023
Mortgage rates are still high, but some real estate agents have been citing an old refrain: "You can always refinance." Except, others say, when you can't
Even if mortgages get cheaper, so might homes, which would complicate refinancing, said Sacramento real estate agent Erin Stumpf.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

High mortgage rates recall an era of ... high mortgage rates

Aug 18, 2023
The highest mortgage rates in 20 years are now coupled with high home prices — bringing angst to many homebuyers.
The last time mortgage rates were this high was the early 2000s. Even then, those rates were low compared to the 1980s.
Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images

Is shelter inflation data the most timely measure of housing costs?

Aug 10, 2023
As some CPI data lags, economists consider new rental data to better understand where housing costs are now.
While shelter inflation is still at 7.7% year-on-year, economists are incorporating new, more timely data into their forecasts that shows a cooling of housing prices.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

New study examines the viability of turning empty office blocks into homes

Aug 9, 2023
The paper considers whether tax breaks might incentivize developers to take on the conversions.
Converting empty office buildings into apartments can add affordable housing, bring more people into downtowns and cut carbon emissions, according to the paper.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Why are some downtowns booming again?

Aug 7, 2023
Foot traffic in downtown Salt Lake City reached 139% of pre-pandemic levels in spring. And other cities can learn from its example.
A cheaper cost of living, beautiful scenery and a booming economy helped the Greater Salt Lake area grow by 51,000 people last year.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Homeowners are gaining equity, but it may be going untapped

Jul 31, 2023
A new report finds the rate of mortgage borrowers considered "equity rich" increased to 49% in the second quarter.
"Why would you refinance if you've got a mortgage of 3%, at a mortgage rate of 7%?" says Susan Wachter of the Wharton School.
Philip Pacheco/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Co-buying a house with your best friend

Jul 27, 2023
The lack of affordability has spurred “nontraditional setups” like this partnership between women who trust each other and work well together.
In 2022, Cass Lang, left, and Jordan Heiden bought a home together in Vermont. “We both wanted the same thing at the same time, so why would we not do it?” Lang said.
Courtesy Lang

The rise and fall of home prices across America

Jul 25, 2023
Property values are generally down from the same time in 2022, but they have been rising in recent months and vary regionally.
Prices of existing homes started rising again in February, even though the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Piano movers, inspectors and more feel the pain of housing market slowdown

Jul 24, 2023
More people are staying put, which means they’re not paying for the adjacent services we need when buying a home.
With more people staying put, there's less of a need for moving-related services, like movers.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images