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I Asked ChatGPT How Much House I Can Really Afford in Florida on a $60,000 Salary — Here’s the Answer
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-18 16:00
Although Florida isn’t nearly as expensive as states like Hawaii or California, it still ranks in the top half nationally (No. 18) for highest costs of living, according to World Population Review. Florida’s higher-than-average cost of living extends to its home prices. Federal Reserve data found that homes there had a median list price of $425,000 as of December 2025 — above the national median of $399,950. What this means is that if you live in the Sunshine State and earn a typical salary, you’ll have ...
US home prices are rising — but these fast-growing markets remain affordable
Fox Business· 2026-02-17 19:45
America’s hottest housing markets aren’t in flashy coastal cities — they’re in communities across the Midwest and South. Even as the national market cools, areas in states like Missouri and Kentucky are seeing double-digit price growth while remaining within reach for middle-income buyers.Recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) ranked the top five single-family metro areas with the highest home price appreciation last quarter. Missouri’s Cape Girardeau held the top spot with a nearly 20% ...
国企收老破小?别高兴太早,只有这四类人能赶上红利
Sou Hu Cai Jing· 2026-02-16 17:29
昨天晚上,我姑父给我打电话,声音里带着点兴奋又带着点忐忑:"你看到新闻没?上海那边国企直接收老房子,我那套虹口的老破小,是不是能卖给国家 了?" 我听完一愣,问他:"你哪看的消息?" 他说:"抖音上刷到的,说2026年楼市重磅福利,国企收购老破小,旧房变现换新房一站式搞定,还有补贴退税。我这房子挂了快一年了没人问,这不天上 掉馅饼吗?" 我当时就叹了口气——又是个被短视频标题带偏的。 挂了电话,我赶紧把各地已经落地的政策翻了个遍。今天就跟大伙儿说个明白:国企收房这事儿是真的,上海、杭州、济南等多地确实在搞,但不是所有人 都能赶上这波红利。今天把这事的门道掰扯清楚,免得你像姑父一样,光听个热闹,最后空欢喜一场。 先说结论:2026年确实有多地国企下场收购二手房,主要用作保障性租赁住房。上海浦东、静安、徐汇已经启动试点,杭州富阳、济南起步区、福建全省也 跟进了 那到底谁能享受到这波红利?我分四类人说清楚。 上海浦东是把收购款转成"房票",你必须买浦东的新房 杭州富阳给的是"抵价券 购房券"组合——旧房收购价等额的抵价券,外加5%的购房券(最高10万),30天内必须买指定的18个新房项目 济南起步区更猛,全款收旧房 ...
Homebuyers haven’t had this much leverage in 13 years. Here’s where price cuts are appearing and who benefits most
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-15 12:45
After years of high prices and bidding wars, homebuyers are finally starting to see a shift in the housing market. In 2025, homebuyers were able to negotiate prices down more than at any other point in the past 13 years, according to new Redfin data (1). As demand cools, homes are increasingly selling below list price. In certain markets, inventory is rising. And some sellers are starting to adjust expectations after years of rapid price growth. Must Read That shift follows a dramatic run-up in demand ...
2026年房价显现4大信号!楼市新格局已至,务必早做准备
Sou Hu Cai Jing· 2026-02-13 23:26
买房这事,绝对是咱普通家庭的"头等大事"。攒首付、还房贷、挑地段、比品质,刚需盼上车、改善想换房、持房怕贬值、观望怕踏空,家家户户的心,都 被房价牵得七上八下。 最近不少业内人士和市场观察者纷纷预测,2026年的楼市不再模糊不清,4个关键信号已经清晰显现,直接影响接下来几年的房价走势和买房决策。 信号四:保障房大规模入市,商品房供需格局重构 住建部2026年定下硬目标:全国新开工保障性住房200万套以上,加快城中村改造和危旧房改造。 信号一:房贷利率维持历史低位,购房成本触底难再降 央行2026年1月20日最新授权公布,5年期以上LPR为3.5%,连续多月保持不变,维持历史低位。 全国首套商业性住房贷款利率,普遍低至3.05%-3.2%,公积金贷款利率更是低至2.6%。 对比几年前动辄5%以上的房贷利率,同样贷款100万、30年等额本息,现在每年能省利息超2万元,总利息省出一辆家用车。 2026年存量房贷利率继续批量下调,全国超6000万房贷家庭,月供自动减少,减负力度空前。 利率已经跌到"地板价",继续大幅下降空间极小。 这既是支持刚需和改善的政策红利,也在释放明确信号:楼市稳字当头,低成本购房窗口期正在进 ...
The Housing Market Rebound Isn’t Here Yet
Investopedia· 2026-02-13 21:00
Core Insights - The housing market is experiencing a downturn, with existing home sales in January dropping 8.4% from December, reflecting ongoing affordability challenges and low inventory levels [1][2] - Economists anticipate a potential improvement in sales due to lower mortgage rates, but affordability issues are expected to persist [1] Group 1: Sales Performance - Existing home sales in January were at an annualized rate below 4 million, maintaining activity near decades-low levels [1] - The decline in sales is attributed to poor weather conditions and limited inventory, which has kept prices elevated [1][2] Group 2: Affordability Trends - Mortgage rates averaged 6.1% in January, down from nearly 7% a year ago, contributing to improved affordability conditions [1] - The median home price in January was $396,800, reflecting a modest increase of 0.9% from the previous year [1] Group 3: Inventory and Market Dynamics - Inventory levels increased by 3.4% over the past year, but remain significantly below pre-pandemic averages, limiting home price appreciation [1] - The cold weather in early January impacted home sales, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions, with expectations that warmer weather may boost sales [1][2] Group 4: Future Outlook - Economists predict a thaw in market conditions this spring, but significant improvements in affordability are seen as distant [1] - Low inventory levels are likely to continue affecting the market, with a cap on how much sales activity can improve in the near term [1]
Inflation Data Supports Optimism as Consumers Adapt
PYMNTS.com· 2026-02-13 18:52
Core Insights - The latest inflation data indicates a continued easing of price pressures, particularly in essential categories, providing consumers with some relief [1][2] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4% year over year in January, with a monthly increase of 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis, suggesting a pattern of restrained inflation [2] - Essential costs, including housing, food, and bills, have historically consumed a significant portion of household income, particularly for consumers earning less than $50,000 annually [3] Inflation Trends - January's CPI report shows signs of stabilization in critical areas, with energy prices declining 1.5% for the month and 0.3% over the past year, which can positively impact household budgets [4] - Food prices increased modestly, with food and beverages rising 0.2% in January and 2.8% year over year, indicating a normalization after previous volatility [5] - Shelter costs remain elevated but show slower growth, with shelter prices rising 3% over the past year and 0.2% in January, suggesting easing housing-related pressures [9] Service Sector Inflation - Inflation in service-oriented categories remains elevated, with food away from home increasing 4% year over year and medical care services rising 3.9%, indicating persistent cost pressures in labor-intensive sectors [10][11] - Goods-related inflation has shown clearer deceleration, while services inflation continues to exert pressure, highlighting a nuanced inflation narrative [11] Consumer Financial Behavior - Consumers are increasingly utilizing flexible payment mechanisms to manage cash flow, with 31% using credit card installment plans and 14% using buy now, pay later (BNPL) products [12][13] - The adoption rates of installment structures are notably higher among millennials, with 42% of bridge millennials utilizing these mechanisms [13] - The use of installment plans is viewed as a budgeting tool rather than a sign of financial stress, allowing consumers to align payments with income cycles [14] Overall Outlook - January's inflation data and consumer finance trends suggest a gradual recalibration rather than acute disruption, with inflation persisting in shelter and services but moderating in essential categories [15] - Consumers are adapting their financial behaviors through spending prioritization and credit utilization, indicating a demand for flexibility and predictability in a still-elevated price environment [16]
亚洲聚焦:中国房价下跌与负资产问题-Asia in Focus_ Home Price Declines and Negative Equity in China
2026-02-13 02:18
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **real estate market in China**, specifically analyzing **negative equity** and home price declines in six major cities: **Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Chengdu**. These cities represent about **13% of China's urban population** and approximately **30% of the country's urban housing wealth** [2][8]. Core Insights - **Negative Equity Definition**: Negative equity occurs when home values fall below outstanding mortgage balances, posing significant risks to the economy and financial system, especially when combined with job loss [2][3]. - **Historical Context**: In the US, **25% of mortgage borrowers** faced negative equity during the peak of the housing crisis in 2010, highlighting the potential severity of such situations [2][4]. - **Current Situation in China**: - Borrowers who purchased homes before **2021** generally retain considerable home equity despite a **30% peak-to-current price correction** due to high down payment ratios historically [2][20]. - Those who bought homes during **2021-2023** have seen significant erosion of their down payments due to recent price declines [2][20]. Future Projections - If home prices decline by less than **10% in 2026**, the negative equity issue is expected to remain manageable. However, a decline greater than **10%** could significantly increase the share of borrowers facing negative equity, indicating a **nonlinear threshold effect** [2][29][26]. City-Specific Analysis - **Tianjin**: Home prices peaked early and have dropped nearly **50%**, leading to negative equity for average borrowers from the **2017-2019 cohorts** [20]. - **Chengdu**: Despite price declines, all cohorts still maintain at least **15% equity** relative to their purchase price on average due to higher down payments and milder price drops [20]. - **Price-to-Income Ratios**: Tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shenzhen have high price-to-income ratios above **15**, while Tianjin and Chengdu are more affordable [11]. Key Findings 1. **Down Payment Impact**: Due to substantial down payment requirements (at least **30%** in all six cities during **2017-2023**), negative equity remains relatively rare as of **2025**, despite significant home price declines [20]. 2. **Home Equity Variability**: Home equity levels vary significantly by purchase year. Buyers before **2021** retained at least **20% equity**, while those who bought during **2021-2023** lost about **two-thirds** of their down payment value [20]. 3. **Cross-City Differences**: Significant differences exist across cities regarding home price trajectories and equity positions, with Tianjin facing more severe declines compared to Chengdu [20][12]. Additional Considerations - **Mortgage Behavior**: Many Chinese households pay down mortgages ahead of schedule, which reduces the risk of negative equity. This behavior may mitigate systemic risks to banking and financial stability, although local stresses could still arise [30]. - **Nonlinear Relationship**: The relationship between home prices and negative equity is nonlinear, with significant implications for borrower behavior and financial stability [29][26]. Conclusion - The analysis indicates that while the current situation regarding negative equity in China is manageable, future declines in property prices could lead to increased risks. The high down payment ratios historically have provided a buffer against widespread negative equity issues [29].
US existing home sales drop to more than two-year low in January
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-12 15:10
Core Insights - U.S. existing home sales fell to the lowest level in over two years, with an 8.4% drop in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, below economists' expectations of 4.18 million units [1][2] Group 1: Sales Performance - Home sales decreased 4.4% year-over-year, reflecting a significant decline in market activity [2] - The decrease in sales is attributed to low inventory levels, despite improving affordability conditions due to wage gains and lower mortgage rates [3] Group 2: Inventory and Pricing - Existing home inventory fell by 0.8% to 1.22 million units, although it was up 3.4% compared to the previous year [5] - The median existing home price rose by 0.9% year-over-year to $396,800, marking the highest price for any January [5] - At the current sales pace, it would take 3.7 months to exhaust the existing home inventory, an increase from 3.5 months a year ago [5] Group 3: Buyer Demographics - First-time buyers represented 31% of sales, an increase from 28% a year ago, indicating a slight improvement in market participation [6] - All-cash sales accounted for 27% of transactions, down from 29% a year ago, while distressed sales made up 2% of transactions, down from 3% [6]
Home Sales Fell Off a Cliff in January. Why That Could Change Soon.
Barrons· 2026-02-12 15:03
Core Viewpoint - The housing market is anticipated to improve slightly this year despite a bleak start [1] Group 1 - The beginning of the year shows negative trends in the housing market [1] - Expectations for the housing market indicate a potential for slight improvement later in the year [1]