Author Archives: Ben Verde

Existing-home sales droop as mortgage rates hit 20-year highs

By Ben Verde | October 19, 2023 - 4:40 pm |October 19, 2023 Uncategorized

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Home sales fell 2 percent between August and September and retreated 15.4 percent from a year ago as prices and interest rates climbed. Continue reading →

Home values surge to new record as median prices climb to $350K

By Ben Verde | October 19, 2023 - 8:00 am |October 19, 2023 Uncategorized

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The median U.S. home price rose to $350,000 in the third quarter, 2 percent higher than the previous record set a quarter earlier, according to new data released Thursday by Attom. Continue reading →

Housing starts tally ‘unexpected’ uptick amid rising mortgage rates

By Ben Verde | October 18, 2023 - 4:15 pm |October 18, 2023 Uncategorized

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New housing starts increased 7 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.36 million, or 7.2 percent below the levels seen in September 2022, according to Census data released Wednesday. Continue reading →

Seasonal price changes show signs of life as rents drop in September

By Ben Verde | October 17, 2023 - 4:33 pm |October 17, 2023 Uncategorized

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After coming within $2 of a historical high record during August, the national median rent price dropped 2.02 percent last month. Continue reading →

Housing prices peaked for 6th straight month in September

By Ben Verde | October 16, 2023 - 5:47 pm |October 16, 2023 Uncategorized

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Home prices increased 0.7 percent between August and September of 2023, and were up 6.7 percent annually, according to a new report. Continue reading →

Listings tick up and prices tick down during an ice-cold fall market

By Ben Verde | October 13, 2023 - 5:36 pm |October 13, 2023 Uncategorized

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The added punch of mortgage rates nearing 8 percent is making this year’s fall season particularly slow. Continue reading →

An agent got creative with a listing. He wasn’t ready for the backlash

By Ben Verde | October 13, 2023 - 3:16 pm |October 13, 2023 Uncategorized

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Nicholas Greer decided to have some fun with one of his listings. He made a lot of people angry. “I’m just an artist at heart,” he told Inman earlier this week. “I can’t turn that off.” Continue reading →

Housing’s stranglehold on inflation poised to decline in months ahead

By Ben Verde | October 12, 2023 - 3:12 pm |October 12, 2023 Uncategorized

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Inflation rose 0.4 percent in September, a near standstill from August, according to the latest Consumer Price Index Thursday. Economists believe “shelter” will soon recede as the largest contributor to runaway prices. Continue reading →

Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy accused of endorsing pal’s home-flip scam

By Ben Verde | October 11, 2023 - 3:50 pm |October 11, 2023 Uncategorized

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RaaShaun Casey, host of the syndicated iHeartRadio show “The Breakfast Club,” is accused of promoting pal Cesar Pina’s home-flipping venture, frequently in distressed areas of New Jersey. Continue reading →

WeWork downgraded again by Fitch as it skips interest payments

By Ben Verde | October 10, 2023 - 4:59 pm |October 10, 2023 Uncategorized

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Fitch downgraded the commercial real estate firm from a CC to a C, meaning a default or “default-like” process has already begun. Continue reading →