Stacker-Real Estate

AI is already becoming part of how people research financial decisions. But when it comes to getting a mortgage, consumers appear willing to let it go much further than answering questions or comparing rates. To understand how far consumers are comfortable letting AI into the mortgage process, Lower surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers about how they

Conforming mortgages accounted for nearly three-quarters of Optimal Blue’s rate-lock volume in July 2020. Six years later, they no longer make up half of it. Conforming mortgages fell below half of Optimal Blue rate-lock volume in April, the first time that had happened since at least January 2018. Conforming share was 47% in July and remained

The regional differences between cost per square foot are an important metric for any real estate agent to understand. This information helps agents properly price properties while advocating for and advising their clients. Without having the data to back their decisions, agents will find themselves losing potential sales. Some U.S. metro areas give buyers access

The national vacancy rate for multifamily properties currently sits at 7.9%, while asking rents have increased by 1.3% over the past year. As renters continue to search for affordable apartments across the country, understanding where they have the most negotiating power is more important than ever. After analyzing vacancy rates, absorption rates, rent concessions, and

Real estate investors must always think one step ahead of the competition. A state, metro area, or city that’s a top choice for transplants could see its popularity wane in a matter of weeks. Does that mean, however, that past is not prologue? Not necessarily. Areas with positive real estate trends that have stretched over

  What makes a great football city depends more on just the final score. So much can set the mood: crowd noise, tailgating scene, traditions, and weather conditions that only hometown fans seem emotionally prepared to endure. It’s even more complicated for renters. After all, monthly rent, ticket prices and whether getting to the stadium

  The best time to move is mid-September through mid-October. Movers are more available, the weather is comfortable for heavy lifting, and you are not competing with half the country for the same weekend. Most guides get there by a different route. Nearly every “best time to move” article tells you to move in January

  In the increasingly cutthroat world of real estate investing, both large and small firms are continually searching for ways to find potentially profitable deals before the competition. One answer, seemingly, has come in the form of property data APIs, or application programming interfaces. You may have heard of APIs if you listen to tech

  For millions of Americans, the home they already own has become one of their strongest financial assets. U.S. mortgage holders collectively held a record $18 trillion in home equity in the second quarter of 2026, according to ICE Mortgage Technology’s August 2026 Mortgage Monitor. Within that total, ICE classified $11.7 trillion as tappable equity,

  In states with rent control, the law limits how much a landlord can raise rent. Those legal caps typically reset every year (and vary by location), but cities and counties within the same state may still have vastly different rent control laws. Landlords who operate rental properties in areas with these laws can face

  Renters have spent the better part of two years with unusual leverage, but the data now suggests that period is coming to an end. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national rental vacancy rate was 7.3% in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 5.6% four years earlier, when competition for apartments was

  The property investment market is going through a period of uncertainty, with Q1 of 2026 being the quietest period since the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic brought house sales to a halt, according to data from Redfin cited by Newsweek. The previous low point for the market in terms of investor activity, discounting

  When searching for an apartment in New York, renters know they’re going to pay a premium. New York consistently logs the highest rents in the country, and prices can range by thousands of dollars depending on where you look. From a solo three-bedroom in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx to a small studio

  Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or have been around the real estate block before, asking the right questions during your house hunt can help you find the right type of home for your needs and avoid problems later, Ally Financial reports. Questions to ask before starting your home search 1. What is my homebuying

  Real estate investors who want to scale multi-unit real estate portfolios face two issues. Tax optimization strategies and income constraints cause them to hit a wall when they reach 3-5 properties if they don’t understand how DSCR loans and cash-flow underwriting work. However, as Griffin Funding, a mortgage and home loan lender, explains below,

  Rising home prices and housing costs have pushed some buyers to consider homes that can serve two purposes: a place to live and a source of rental income. Here, Neighbors Bank breaks down how FHA financing can make that possible in more ways than many buyers realize. FHA loans are often associated with first-time