DUO Global Real Estate Group

Rate Check: Are Buyers Overpaying on Their Mortgage? A new study calls out the $60,000 mistake that too many home shoppers keep making. Current mid-6% mortgage rates—with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.48% this week—may be straining homebuying budgets, but lending experts say borrowers increasingly overlook one critical step that coul...

Strong jobs report adds to rate discussion Employers added more jobs than expected in May, a sign of labor market strength that could keep mortgage rates in focus for buyers and sellers. Stronger-than-expected hiring in May points to a resilient labor market, but it could also keep mortgage affordability in focus if the Federal Reserve sees....

Older buyers are prioritizing long-term livability in home searches Homebuyers over 55 are placing greater emphasis on aging-in-place features, maintenance needs and long-term lifestyle fit when searching for homes, creating new opportunities for Realtors who understand these housing concerns. Retirement-age buyers are increasingly evaluating whether a property will...

Builder confidence rises in May as incentives remain common Higher mortgage rates and affordability pressures have shaped buyer demand. New data from the National Association of Home Builders showed incentives remained elevated for the 14th straight month. Builder confidence improved modestly in May, but builders are still relying heavily on incentives and p...

Sellers face higher costs, delays on pre-listing renovations Industry professionals said highly personalized upgrades and DIY projects often fail to deliver the resale boost sellers expect and may delay a home from reaching the market. With rising costs, labor shortages and project delays, pre-listing renovations are becoming more complicated for home sellers...

Online listings shape buyer first impressions A strong digital presentation will help sellers attract more attention before buyers decide whether to schedule an in-person showing. A home’s first impression no longer begins at the curb. For many buyers, it starts on a phone or computer. A recent Forbes article said while curb appeal still matt...

Tax planning can play a bigger role in long-term wealth building than many realize Tax planning can play a bigger role in long-term wealth building than many realize Tax planning is often treated as an annual, or quarterly, task tied to filing deadlines, but financial experts say it can have a much larger influence on long-term wealth building if it’s approached as an ongoing fi...

More Home Buyers Go Under Contract, But Caution Remains Pending home sales inched higher last month as housing affordability improved, but new challenges are emerging. Read more from NAR’s latest home sales report. Contract signings for home sales climbed slightly in February as buyers emerged amid lower mortgage rates and moderating home prices. But c...

Home Sales Barely Move as Inventory Constraints Persist The housing market is sending some mixed signals this spring. Read more from NAR’s latest housing report. Existing-home sales were mostly stuck in place in April, despite what’s typically a busy spring real estate season. The number of For Sale signs in the existing-home market remains relativel...

More Buyers Step Back Into the Housing Market NAR’s chief economist says “cautious optimism” is emerging as the real estate market shakes off some economic headwinds. Pending home sales rose last month, building on March’s modest gains and helping to reverse what had been a sluggish start to the spring housing market. By even some econo...