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Posts from July 2019

The Latest on Homeownership and Housing Supply

July 26, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

Yesterday, the Census Bureau released its quarterly Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS), which is intended to measure the occupancy and ownership status of the nation’s housing stock. Although the second quarter release indicated a sequential decline ...

Alarming Increase in Mortgage Debt-to-Income Ratios Reverses Course

July 26, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

Late last year, the average mortgage debt accumulated by homebuyers relative to their income was quickly rising, which was attributable to home price appreciation outpacing income growth, spiking mortgage rates and more lenient underwriting ...

“Steep Slowdown” on the Horizon for Home Improvements?

July 26, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

Last week, The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) released its Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) with a concerning headline: “Steep Slowdown Projected in Home Improvements.” We first wrote about the ...

Mischaracterization of Single-Family Investors Impacts Perceived Demand, Risk

July 12, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

In a blog post in late June (Don’t Call it a Comeback: Housing Investors Have Been Here for Years), CoreLogic raised some eyebrows with the conclusion that “in 2018, the share of home sales bought by investors reached its highest level in two ...

As “Crisis” Calls Mount, an Eye-Opening Spin on Affordability

July 12, 2019 by Zelman & Associates

From 2011-18, national existing home prices and apartment rents have climbed by 50-55% and 35-40%, respectively, easily outpacing 17% income growth for non-supervisory and production employees that represent the vast majority of the employment ...