Patio Heaters Are the 'New Toilet Paper' : As homeowners look for ways to extend using outdoor space into the cold weather months, propane tank and fire pit sales have surged, Fast Company reports.
Buyer Demand Strong Even as Pending Home Sales Cool Slightly : “With persistent low mortgage rates and some degree of continuing jobs recovery, more contract signings are expected in the near future,” says NAR’s chief economist.
Fall Home Sales Surge Ahead of Normal Patterns : Speedy home sales continue in all regions of the country, with the median home price up nearly 15% from a year ago, NAR reports.
Nearly 16 Million People Have Moved During the Pandemic : Twenty-eight percent of adults say they relocated to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19, according to a new Pew Research study.
Housing Shortage Tied to Single-Family Zoning : Plagued by lack of inventory, more cities and states are doing away with single-family zoning to offer more housing options. From the Urban Land Institute’s virtual 2020 Fall Meetings, Oct. 13-15
Record-High Lumber Costs Drive Up New-Home Prices : More than 2.1 million U.S. households can’t afford a median-priced new home due to rising lumber costs, builders say.
August 2020 Existing and Pending Home Sales : Pending contracts are hitting all-time highs, implying that the autumn housing market activity will be stronger; the winter months also look bright because there are plenty of buyers in the pipeline. One constraining factor: not enough inventory.