Median down payment slides $2,400 as affordability improves

Moderating mortgage rates and lessening buyer competition have pushed the U.S. median down payment down 7.33 percent over the past year, according to Realtor.com. Continue reading

How to use down payment assistance to close more deals

Looking for a way to differentiate the service you provide to buyers? Luke Babich writes that a top-down knowledge of down payment assistance programs in your area can help you stand out from the crowd of other agents. Continue reading

Realtor.com’s Danielle Hale talks an ‘even bigger’ 2025 as rates drop

Ahead of Inman Connect Austin, Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale talks mortgage rates, affordability, and when agents and consumers might reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Continue reading

Buyer-broker commissions remain mostly steady since Aug. 17: Survey

Business has largely continued as usual with 63 percent of agents reporting that sellers are “frequently” covering buyer-broker commissions, according to a new Real Brokerage survey of 300 agents. Continue reading

Realtor.com releases enhanced map-based search feature

Realtor.com released its new map-based search experience on Tuesday, which uses color-coded map layers to help homebuyers find their next home based on preferred home features and market trends. Continue reading

HUD partners with Zillow to close racial homeownership gap

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has partnered with Zillow for “Let’s Make Home the Goal,” a campaign aimed at connecting minority communities with HUD pre-housing counseling services. Continue reading

Nearly half of NYC’s out-of-state buyers come from these locations

Living in New York City remains undeniably expensive, with sale prices in some neighborhoods reaching $7.5 million, yet out-of-state buyers are still drawn to the city, according to “The New York Times.” Continue reading

Zillow, unfiltered: Portal giant adds AI-fueled natural language feature

Consumers using Zillow’s mobile application can now search homes with simple voice prompts based on commute, points of interest, affordability and school access, according to executives. Continue reading

US homebuyer down payments reach new record, outpace prices

According to Redfin, the typical U.S. homebuyer’s down payment hit the highest level in over a decade, at 18.6 percent of the purchase price in June, up from 15 percent the previous year. Continue reading

Borrowers clash on how far rates need to fall before they’re ‘Golden’

How low do rates need to go to reinvigorate the housing market? Buyer and seller responses vary in the latest Inman-Dig Insights consumer survey, suggesting its contours are still being shaped. Continue reading