Canadian lumber taxes could further increase new home costs
Independently of other recent tariffs, the U.S. is preparing to more than double levies on softwood lumber from Canada, and builders should “plan accordingly.”
April 9, 2025
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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- EXIT Realty settles in Gibson commissions caseDetails of the deal were not disclosed in the April 8 filing. Meanwhile, a few of the remaining defendants are trying to get the judge removed from the case.April 8, 2025
- Fannie Mae shakeups continue with ‘unethical conduct’ firingsOver 100 employees have been fired since FHFA Director William Pulte began his tenure, the agency announced, while Pulte took to X to highlight other cuts.April 8, 2025
- Mortgage rates surge amid tariff uncertaintyAfter trending down last week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage had its largest 24-hour increase of 2025 on Monday — and climbed even closer to 7% on Tuesday.Updated April 8, 2025
- How would privatizing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac impact buyers?As the FHFA signals an interest in loosening control of the GSEs, experts predict mortgage rates would rise as a result — but the increase might be temporary.April 7, 2025
- Expect a ‘mortgage rate roller coaster’ following new tariffsRates may drop in the short-term before inflation ramps up, but stock market volatility, higher prices and rising unemployment could stall home purchases.April 3, 2025
- Agents are making more money despite the tough marketA new Redfin survey found that many agents reported higher income in 2024 than in 2023, but concerns about the economy and industry changes persisted.April 3, 2025
- The US needs 40 million more low-cost homesThe number of households that can only afford homes under $300K far exceeds the supply at that price point, while there is a glut of homes valued at $2M and up.April 2, 2025
- Judge in MLS PIN case signals approval despite DOJ pushbackThe $3.95 million settlement aligns with NAR math, but unlike NAR’s agreement, allows the Massachusetts MLS to continue displaying offers of compensation.April 1, 2025
- Gibson plaintiffs don’t get to block eXp, Weichert dealsThe judge in Georgia’s Hooper case said the Missouri home sellers can file objections but can’t intervene to stop the settlement process from moving forward.March 31, 2025
- Slow pace of home sales points to a subdued spring seasonPending sales are trending behind last year as high prices, economic uncertainty weigh on consumers — but there are positive signs in the new home market.March 27, 2025
- Nosalek parties make final pitch to move settlement forwardMLS PIN and the plaintiffs refuted the DOJ’s recent claim that the agreement only “maintains the status quo”; Keel, Gibson lawyers ask for their paychecks.March 27, 2025
- ‘Future class-action’ or ‘expanding choice’? Leaders on CCP newsThe real estate industry had mixed reactions to NAR’s decision to keep Clear Cooperation and add a policy that allows sellers to delay marketing via IDX.Updated March 26, 2025
- Private listings cost communities of color nearly $10K per homeSellers in mostly white areas lose nearly $4K per home, Zillow found. A senior economist said the trend threatens to return real estate to “the dark ages.”March 24, 2025
- Home sales optimism fades with NAR economist’s new forecastThough the stage is set for a strong rebound, one important factor needs to change in order to unleash an anticipated flurry of market activity.March 24, 2025
- Redfin deal helps Rocket get in front of buyers soonerA JD Power analyst says the acquisition could move the industry closer to the “super app” approach and disrupt the lending world, but it won’t shut out agents.March 22, 2025
- Spring brings mix of gray skies, green shoots for real estateMuch of the latest economic and market data falls into the "good news, bad news" category, but improved home sales and stable mortgage rates offer hope.March 20, 2025
- Fed leaves rates unchanged, forecasts 2 cuts later in the yearEconomic factors could cause the Federal Reserve to change course, but heading into the spring homebuying season, mortgage rates are likely to remain stable.March 19, 2025
- New construction momentum stalls as costs expected to riseWhile housing starts rebounded from a sluggish January, permits and completions have slowed and builder sentiment is souring.March 18, 2025
- DOJ still unhappy with Nosalek settlementThis week the federal agency weighed in — again — on the 5-year-old case, arguing that revisions to the 2023 deal are only cosmetic.March 17, 2025
