Falling mortgage rates spark late-season demand
Rates have dropped for a third consecutive week, and buyers appear to be responding. But where rates go next is uncertain, and short-term volatility is likely.
December 12, 2024
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
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- Pandemic-era buyers show most willingness to sellHomeowners who bought in the early 2020s have lots of equity, and life events are motivating moves — even if they have to give up their low mortgage rates.December 11, 2024
- NAR hit with new commissions suit — but not from consumersAn Ohio renovation company filed the complaint after opting out of the Mar. 15 settlement. Plus: an Atlanta brokerage settles, new appeal to NAR deal filed.Updated December 11, 2024
- Homebuying optimism at highest level in nearly 3 yearsFannie Mae’s latest purchase sentiment index is up more than 10 points in the past year, with a record share of consumers expecting mortgage rates to fall.December 9, 2024
- How are agents sharing compensation info?Most are simply asking the listing agent directly, while sharing via websites is uncommon, a new survey found. And so far, commissions are largely unchanged.December 9, 2024
- What a better-than-expected jobs report means for mortgage ratesThe good news is that an interest rate cut is still on the table as other signs point to a cooling labor market. The Fed will decide later this month.December 6, 2024
- Homebuying activity picks up as mortgage rates fallPurchase applications and home tours are on the rise as rates drop to the lowest level in six weeks.December 5, 2024
- Uncertainty in 2025 clouds housing market forecastsFederal policy changes could impact real estate in surprising ways, but economists are predicting fairly modest shifts in the new year.December 4, 2024
- A flurry of court activity bookended the holiday weekendMultiple filings were submitted last week related to the NAR settlement, eXp deal and a homebuyer case, with several new appeals filed this week.Updated December 3, 2024
- Compass to acquire @properties, Christie's International Real EstateThe $444 million deal brings the 8th-largest brokerage firm into the Compass fold and represents the brokerage giant’s first major move into the global market.December 2, 2024
- Baird & Warner settles in buyer agent commissions suitThe Chicago-area powerhouse filed its agreement in the Gibson/Umpa case on the same day that NAR and HomeServices finalized their settlements.November 27, 2024
- Something to be thankful for: Pending sales up, rates dipBuyers found a bit of relief last month, leading to more sales activity — but rising inflation is lurking heading into the holidays.November 27, 2024
- Judge approves $700 million in deals with NAR, HomeServicesA last-minute filing by the DOJ and a handful of objections failed to derail the settlements, which cap more than five years of litigation in Sitzer/Burnett.Updated November 26, 2024
- Texas broker piles on to mandatory membership challengesA new complaint, like others filed in Michigan and Pennsylvania, claims that requiring association membership as a precondition for MLS access is monopolistic.November 26, 2024
- The DOJ has spoken. Are buyer agreements at risk?With the NAR settlement on the cusp of approval, a filing from the Department of Justice cast a shadow on a core part of the deal. Now what?November 26, 2024
- DOJ’s Sunday filing raises issues with NAR dealThe agency takes no position on the settlement’s approval but says it’s not an antitrust shield — and expresses concern over buyer agent agreements.November 24, 2024
- NAR, HomeServices prepare to close the chapter on litigationBarring any surprises, the two largest settlements in the Sitzer/Burnett commissions case — totaling nearly $700 million — will be finalized in just a few days.November 23, 2024
- ‘Forced membership’ case now alleges deceptive practicesAgents suing NAR over membership requirements say associations no longer offer any benefit, while eight defendants were dropped from a Georgia commissions case.November 22, 2024
- Home sales jumped in October, but rally may be short-livedThe turnaround for existing sales came at a time when mortgage rates were closer to 6%. With rates on the rise, economists are dialing back sales forecasts.November 21, 2024
- Home values now rising faster in areas with lower climate risksThe reversal follows 14 years of larger gains for homes in high-risk areas, suggesting that buyers may be less willing to move to disaster-prone regions.November 20, 2024
