Thursday, 30 January 2025

D. Ong

September Home Sales Dropped To Lowest Level in 14 Years Amid High Mortgage Rates, Lack of Options

Home sales fell by 1% in September, lagging in three of the four major regions in the US. Sales of previously owned homes fell by 1% in September compared to August, marking the lowest level recorded since at least October 2010.
5 Ways to Feng Shui Your Home for the Halloween

Ensure the Halloween does not bring negative energy into your home by following these Feng Shui tips this season.
$1M Hunting Lodge Where Alex Murdaugh Killed Wife, Son Undergoes Extensive Renovations by New Owner

Murdaugh killed his family at the hunting lodge due to pressures he was facing for decades of financial crimes.
House Judiciary Panel Subpoenas Biden-Harris Administration Over Taxpayer-Subsidized Homes for Illegal Immigrants

The House Judiciary Committee is compelling the administration to provide information on its spending on a taxpayer-subsidized program that houses illegal immigrants in the US.
Billionaire Investors Behind Rising Housing Costs, Homelessness in the US: Study

A report suggested that real estate investors are scooping up affordable properties and turning them into short-term rentals or keeping them vacant. This drives up prices in the housing market.
Biden Administration Will Award $250M for the Development of Affordable Housing Units, Community Facilities

The program is expected to result in 26,400 affordable housing units across the United States. The Biden administration will award $250 million to developers to create nearly 30,000 units of affordable housing across the country.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s $68 Million Mansion Still Up for Sale 100 Days After Initial Listing

The couple purchased their marital mansion in May 2023 for $60.8 million. The pair listed it for sale at the start of their divorce.
Down Payments Now Dropping From Historic Highs, Giving US Homebuyers Relief

The average down payment fell to $30,300 in the third quarter, saving buyers $2,400. Down payments on a home in the United States fell in the third quarter of this year, giving hopeful buyers much-needed relief.
Qatari Government Buys NYC Condo for $9.8M, Further Expanding Its Real Estate Portfolio

The property spans 2,600 square feet and lists the name of Qatar's prime minister in the documents.
3 Reasons Why Mortgage Rates Are Still Going up After the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut: Report

Mortgage rates averaged 6.08% in the week after the Fed cut its interest rate. It has since risen to 6.44%.
Billy Joel Finally Finds Buyer for Florida Mansion for $42M After Cutting Asking Price by $22M

Billy Joel initially listed his mansion with an asking price of $64.9 million in 2022. He slashed the price numerous times after failing to find a buyer.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Expands NYC Apartment Portfolio With 1,000 Units as Part of $402M Deal

Mayweather Jr. allegedly plans to offer affordable housing units to families struggling to get by in New York City.
California Now Home to 7 Most Expensive Zip Codes in the US: Report

A real estate data firm studied US real estate markets with the aim of determining which zip codes have the most expensive homes.
Liam Payne's Net Worth and Real Estate Portfolio: Star's $10M California Mansion and the Properties He Left Behind

Liam Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Argentina. Liam Payne, a British singer who rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, died at the age of 31 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Argentina.
Democrats Call for Biden To Improve US Housing Affordability Before He Leaves Office

Lawmakers are pressing Biden to "take further action" to improve US housing affordability, including protecting renters from corporate landlords.
10 US Cities Where Investors Can Find Reasonably Priced Homes

The high cost of homeownership has pushed buyers out of the market. However, some cities still offer reasonably priced homes for real estate investors.
Nearly 90% New Orleans Homes Have High Levels of Lead in Tap Water, Some Exceeding Action Levels

A local nonprofit tested 114 homes in nearly 40 neighborhoods in New Orleans and found lead in the water of 88% of properties.
US Office Market to Experience Massive Distress, May Lead Owners To Convert Offices to Residential Housing

Experts believe landlords will launch fire sales of office towers, which could spark a wave of office-to-apartment conversions.
True Value Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Weak Housing Market Leads To Declining Sales

The hardware wholesaler True Value will be bought by rival Do It Best for $153 million in cash. Wholesale hardware retailer True Value has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after more than seven decades after opening its doors.
Home Prices Plummeting in US Boomtowns, Especially in These 10 Popular Places

Home-listing prices in all metro areas in the US dropped by as much as 12%. The median home price also fell by 1% year-over-year in September.
Couple’s Retirement Home Sold by Thieves for 50% of Its Actual Value in Property Fraud Scheme

The perpetrator pretended to be one of the couple and contacted a local broker to sell the property. The broker never met up with the fraudster personally.
What Are Rent Concessions and How Can It Help You Save on Your Next Apartment?

Concessions are incentives that landlords offer to make a rental unit more attractive. Here is a quick guide on rental concessions and the different types you can get.
Zillow Adds Climate Risk Data on Home Listings To Help Buyers Assess Potential Damage From Extreme Weather

The new climate risk feature will show buyers how vulnerable each home for sale might be to extreme weather events in the next 30 years.
Florida Homes Sustains Extensive Damage, Power Outages Due to Hurricane Milton

The storm brought intense rainfall that damaged at least 100 homes and caused power outages. Hurricane Milton barrelled through Florida's west coast Wednesday evening, spawning tornadoes and battering homes and infrastructure.
Mormon Church Buys 46 Additional Farms Across Eight States for $289M, Becomes a Major Player in US Agriculture

The Mormon Church bought more than 41,000 acres of farmland through its Utah-based real estate investment company.
Does JD Vance Own a Company That Sells Real Estate Properties in the US to Foreign Investors?

Several social media posts claimed Sen. JD Vance owns a financial interest in a company allowing foreign investors to buy American real estate properties.
Hamptons Town Sued for Rejecting Affordable Housing Project For Veterans, Disabled People

The nonprofit behind the affordable housing project said Southampton discriminated against people with mental illness when it rejected the proposal.
Hugh Jackman Attempting To Sell His $39M ‘Masterpiece’ Condo for the Second Time a Year After Unexpected Divorce

Hugh Jackman initially listed the property in June 2022, a year before he and Furness suddenly announced their divorce.
4 Crucial Things To Do When Your Home Floods in Intense Storm

Taking action quickly can make a big difference in minimizing the damage to your home after flooding. Here are actions you should take immediately.
5 Tiny Homes You Can Buy Under $200,000

Homeownership is fast becoming out of reach, but there are tiny homes that remain affordable and accessible to buyers. Take a look.

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