Purchasing power is up, but that’s not helping homebuyers
A report comparing the cost of living in 1974 to 2024 shows that rent burdens are relatively lighter today, but home prices have outpaced gains in buying power.
July 21, 2026
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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- Where demographic shifts could impact home prices, supplyAs more baby boomers sell, localized “Silver Tsunamis” may improve affordability for some buyers, but overall effects will be modest, recent research suggests.July 14, 2026
- Market instability ‘putting a damper on sales’Existing home sales fell in June, cutting short the momentum seen a month earlier. Consumer caution — and elevated mortgage rates — are likely culprits.July 9, 2026
- Zillow Pro expands, pulling back the curtain on consumer searchNo search activity is shared without consent, a spokesperson said. Zillow Pro aims “to help agents deepen existing relationships, not prospect strangers.”July 9, 2026
- Home sale expectations tempered for second half of 2026The market should continue to plod along, with slight gains expected compared to last year as buyers and sellers continue “adjusting and showing up.”July 8, 2026
- Tech wealth reshaping San Francisco’s housing marketThe overbidding trend driving up luxury home prices is expected to continue through 2026 as the AI boom brings more high-salaried home shoppers into the city.July 6, 2026
- Mediocre jobs data is no cause for alarm — or celebrationJob growth was far more sluggish than expected in June — but probably not enough to panic a Federal Reserve that remains concerned about rising inflation.July 2, 2026
- A ‘functioning’ housing market has arrived, report suggestsSeveral consecutive months of falling asking prices and rising pending sales indicate that sellers are pricing to meet the market — and finding buyer interest.July 1, 2026
- Housing challenges ‘demand coordinated action,’ report saysHousehold growth is slowing, people are moving less often and immigration is falling — all factors that may further drive down demand in the years ahead.June 26, 2026
- ‘Worst of the pain’ may be over for stalled housing marketThough pending home sales continue to stay ahead of last year’s pace, elevated rates and rising inflation are sapping momentum heading into the summer months.June 25, 2026
- ‘Resilient’ new homes segment takes a hit as sales fallMay data shows new home sales fell 7.3% month-over-month and 6.8% year-over-year as affordability concerns and economic uncertainty weighed on consumers.June 24, 2026
- 1 in 2 consumers now say it’s better to buy than rentThough high rates and home prices continue giving many consumers pause, 53% believe buying a home is a better option than paying rent or moving in with family.June 23, 2026
- New home regulatory costs up 40% in 5 years, study findsTotal regulatory costs involved in building the typical new single-family home now exceed $131K — up from about $94K five years ago, according to the NAHB.June 22, 2026
- A ‘lasting’ US-Iran deal could ‘help bring mortgage rates down’With the Strait of Hormuz starting to reopen, oil prices have dropped — and mortgage rates are beginning to tick down amid hopes for easing inflation.June 18, 2026
- Fed changes already underway as Kevin Warsh embraces top roleThough the Fed held short-term interest rates steady at its June meeting, several officials now anticipate at least one rate hike before the end of the year.June 17, 2026
- ‘Buyer rush’ pushed pending sales up across the US in MayPending home sales beat expectations for the month, rising 3.8% since April even as mortgage rates hovered around 6.5% and inflation hit a three-year high.June 17, 2026
- Home construction ‘plunge’ may not tell the whole storyHousing starts were way down in May but could just signal a correction after an unexpectedly strong early spring. Still, builder sentiment continues to slide.June 16, 2026
- Will ‘regime change’ at the Fed involve less data-sharing?While new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh might not be able to push for rate cuts right now, he may shift how the Fed handles forecasts and communications.June 15, 2026
- Spring homebuying season winds down with no sign of a rallyPending sales remain sluggish as mortgage rates tick back up, but for buyers who are ready to commit, “the door is open” to negotiate favorable terms.June 11, 2026
- 1 in 2 home shoppers open to buying without human helpA majority of prospective buyers also said that they would trust AI-provided mortgage assistance, according to a new survey from Veterans United Home Loans.June 11, 2026
