Home buyers look at several factors before purchasing a house. The neighborhood, amenities and schools are some of the key details, but if you also want a home that gains value, some markets are better than others. The Federal Housing Financing Agency, a U.S. government agency that supervises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks, recently came out with its quarterly House Price Index. Be Aware: 6 Hidden Costs of Homeownership That Can Wreck Your Budget Read Next: 10 Unreliable SUVs To S ...

Core Insights - The government shutdown significantly impacts the housing market, causing delays in loan approvals, closing dates, and affecting federal employees' ability to make mortgage payments [1][2][5] Impact on Loan Programs - Key housing programs, particularly USDA loans, are severely affected, with a complete suspension of new loans issued [3] - FHA and VA loans continue processing but face delays due to reduced staff and manual review requirements [2][10] Flood Insurance and Market Dynamics - The National Flood Insurance Program is closed, risking approximately 3,600 home closings per day, valued at around $1.6 billion [4] - The shutdown is causing a psychological impact on homebuyer behavior, particularly in regions with high federal employment, leading to a 6.7% year-over-year drop in pending home sales in the D.C. area [6] Mortgage Rates and Refinancing - The shutdown may lead to lower mortgage rates, with the average 30-year fixed rate recently hovering around 6.3%, the lowest since late 2024 [8] - However, many homeowners are locked into low-interest pandemic-era loans, making refinancing less appealing [9] Regional Variations - The impact of the shutdown varies by region, with government-heavy areas experiencing cooling housing demand, while diversified economies may weather the situation better [13][14] Homeowner Strategies - Homeowners are advised to focus on financial flexibility, budgeting, and maintaining communication with lenders to navigate the uncertainty [15][16] - Buyers using federal loan programs should prepare for slower timelines and consider having a conventional loan approval as a backup [17][18] Investment Opportunities - Despite the challenges, there may be opportunities for investors to acquire properties at discounts as rental demand remains strong [18]

Many Americans who dream of becoming homeowners head to the Midwest to find a home, thanks to the region’s overall affordability compared to coastal states with a high cost of living. Explore More: GOBankingRates Original Research Center See Next: These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs For buyers seeking the best-kept secret housing markets, GOBankingRates has identified at least 20 in the Midwest considered hidden gems. This in-house research was compiled after analyzing data from Zi ...

Core Viewpoint - Policy changes regarding capital gains, regulations, and land use are potential solutions to address housing issues, as suggested by Raymond James [1] Group 1: Policy Changes - Capital gains tax adjustments could be considered to improve housing market conditions [1] - Regulatory reforms may play a significant role in addressing housing supply and affordability [1] - Changes in land use policies are also highlighted as a necessary step to 'fix' the housing market [1]

Summary of the Conference Call on China's Housing Market Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the Chinese housing market, specifically discussing the ongoing housing slump that began after the peak in mid-2021 [3][10]. Key Points and Arguments - **Decline in Housing Market**: The Chinese housing boom peaked around mid-2021 and has been in decline since then, with significant drops in housing starts, sales, and investment levels [3][4]. - **Price Trends**: Official price data indicate only modest declines, while private sector data suggest steeper price drops. The NBS 70-city average housing prices have shown a decline, with secondary home prices experiencing more significant reductions compared to new homes [6][8]. - **Investment Sentiment**: Housing has lost its status as the preferred investment class among Chinese households, indicating a shift in consumer confidence and investment behavior [13]. - **Price-to-Income Ratios**: The price-to-income ratios have been analyzed across different city tiers, showing a concerning trend for affordability in the housing market [17][19]. - **Potential Upsides**: The discussion also touches on potential upsides of the housing slump, suggesting that while the current situation is challenging, there may be opportunities for recovery and growth in the future [18]. Additional Important Content - **Comparative Analysis**: The report includes a comparative analysis of housing price indexes in China against other countries like the US, Ireland, Spain, and Japan, highlighting the unique trajectory of China's housing market since its peak [11][12]. - **Consumer Confidence Metrics**: The Housing Price Expectation Index and Income Confidence Index are discussed, showing a correlation between consumer expectations and actual housing price trends [14][15]. - **Demographic Insights**: The report includes insights on provincial total fertility rates and their relationship with price-to-income ratios, suggesting demographic factors may influence housing demand and affordability [17][19]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call regarding the current state and future outlook of the Chinese housing market, emphasizing the decline in investment sentiment and the challenges faced by consumers in terms of affordability.

Market Overview - The S&P experienced significant volatility with a drop of 200 points followed by a recovery of about 105 points, indicating a seasonal pullback after a long period of low volatility [1][2] - October is noted for having more 1% moves than any other month, suggesting a historical pattern of increased volatility during this time [3] Market Performance - The market had a streak of 33 trading days without a 1% move, the longest since before COVID-19, indicating a period of stability that was likely due for a correction [1][2] - Historical data shows that after a 36% rally in 6 weeks, a pullback may be expected, as indicated by the current market conditions [6][7] Sector Analysis - Certain sectors such as regional banks and housing are lagging, while high-yield credit is showing signs of weakness, raising concerns about market internals [5][6] - Despite some weaknesses, the overall sentiment remains optimistic, with expectations of continued growth in the bull market [8][9] Bull Market Insights - The current bull market is noted to be strong, having gained over 35% in the last 6 months, with historical trends suggesting that such gains typically lead to further increases one year later [8][9] - The average duration of bull markets that reach a similar point is around 8 years, indicating potential longevity for the current market [9][10] Investment Strategy - The focus remains on sectors that have driven the market, such as industrials, cyclicals, and financials, with a preference for large-cap stocks over small-cap [11][12] - A diversified portfolio is recommended, with an overweight position in equities, particularly in developed international markets [12] Earnings Outlook - Earnings growth for the current quarter is expected to be better than in previous quarters, with positive pre-estimates indicating a more optimistic outlook [13][14] - There is a general expectation that earnings will exceed expectations, reflecting a more favorable sentiment compared to earlier periods [14]

Core Insights - The week of October 12 to 18 is identified as the optimal time for homebuyers, offering a favorable combination of affordability, selection, and negotiation power [1][10][13] Mortgage Rates - 30-year fixed mortgage rates have decreased to the low-to-mid-6% range, down from a high of 7.79% in October 2023 [2] - Mortgage rates typically align with the 10-year Treasury yield, which has been between 4% and 4.3% [2] - A $350,000 mortgage at a 6.5% rate versus a 7% rate results in a monthly difference of approximately $117, totaling over $40,000 over 30 years [3] Housing Inventory - Existing home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4 million in August 2025, with housing inventory rising to 1.53 million homes, an 11.7% increase from August 2024 [5] - In the new home market, builders sold homes at an annual pace of 652,000 in July, with 499,000 homes available for sale, indicating a 9.2-month supply, up from 7.5 months in July 2024 [6] Home Prices - Home prices are high but are increasing at a slower rate, with a 0.1% decrease reported in July 2025, while the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index rose 1.7% year-over-year, down from 1.9% in June [7] - Price trends vary by location, with some areas experiencing flat prices or slight decreases, while others face higher demand [7] Rental Market - Rents continue to rise, with primary residence rents and owner's equivalent rent each increasing by 0.3% from June to July 2025, and owner's equivalent rent is about 4% higher than a year ago [8] - A renter paying $1,500 per month would see an increase of approximately $60 monthly due to a 4.1% rise, equating to about $720 more annually [9] Buying Conditions - During the week of October 12 to 18, active listings are expected to be about 32.6% higher than at the start of 2025, with listings receiving about 30.6% fewer views per property compared to peak buying season [10][11] - Listing prices during this week are typically 3.4% lower than yearly highs, potentially saving buyers around $15,000 on a $439,000 home [11][14] - Approximately 5.5% of listings see price reductions, and homes remain on the market about two weeks longer than during busier months, providing buyers with more negotiation leverage [11] Local Market Trends - In 45 of the top 50 metro areas, the best week to buy falls within a month of the October 12 to 18 timeframe, with some regions experiencing optimal buying opportunities slightly earlier or later [12]

Core Viewpoint - Hainan Province is proposing a new management approach for affordable housing, which includes regulations on planning, construction, allocation, and property rights, aiming to better align supply and demand in the housing market [2][3]. Group 1: Construction and Allocation - The new management approach emphasizes a demand-driven model for the construction and allocation of affordable housing, requiring local governments to develop annual plans based on housing demand and supply conditions [2]. - Local governments are restricted from applying for new affordable housing projects if the ratio of sold units to started units is below 85%, to prevent mismatches in supply and demand [2]. Group 2: Application Conditions - The draft outlines specific eligibility criteria for local residents and talent from outside the province to apply for affordable housing, allowing local governments to adjust these criteria based on national policies and local housing needs [2][3]. Group 3: Property Rights and Trading - Affordable housing will have a five-year closed circulation period, during which owners can only transfer their properties to eligible waiting list applicants, with local housing authorities having priority [3]. - After five years, owners can apply to list their affordable housing for sale or obtain full property rights, transitioning the housing to market-rate status [3]. - The selling price of affordable housing is capped at 60% of the average market price of similar properties in the area from the previous year [3]. Group 4: Land Use - Existing construction land that meets spatial planning criteria can be repurposed for affordable housing, including converting non-residential land types after proper evaluation and payment of land use fees [4].

There’s no shortage of hidden gem housing markets on the East Coast. Even better: Many of these markets are in cities with reasonable cost of living, according to key findings from a GOBankingRates study. Learn More: GOBankingRates Original Research Center Find Out: 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value GOBankingRates found these housing markets by analyzing data from Zillow, AreaVibes, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve. We weighted each city base ...

, /PRNewswire/ -- BOXABL Inc., a pioneering leader in modular housing solutions, is proud to announce that Co-Founder and Co-CEO Galiano Tiramani has made a donation of 6,250,000 shares of BOXABL stock to Catholic Charities USA, valued at approximately $5 million based on the last public sales price. This generous contribution underscores BOXABL's commitment to solve the housing crisis and supports Catholic Charities USA's mission to provide critical services to communities in need across the United States. ...