Real estate industry news

Here are some recent news and trends in the real estate industry:

Market Trends:

• The US housing market is experiencing a slowdown, with sales declining 1.3% in January compared to the previous year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
• The median existing-home price in the US rose 3.8% in January to $270,400, according to NAR.
• The rental market is also experiencing a slowdown, with rent growth slowing to 2.9% in January, according to Zillow.

Technology and Innovation:

• Zillow is launching a new platform called Zillow Offers, which allows homeowners to sell their homes quickly and easily, without the need for a real estate agent.
• Redfin is testing a new feature called "Redfin Referral," which allows customers to refer friends and family to the company and earn rewards.
• Realtor.com is launching a new feature called "Realtor.com Pro," which provides real estate agents with access to advanced tools and data to help them better serve their clients.

Regulatory and Policy News:

• The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the fifth time in 2018, which could impact the housing market and mortgage rates.
• The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would allow states to waive certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements, which could impact the housing market and affordability.
• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is advocating for changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which it says is having a negative impact on the housing market.

Industry Insights and Analysis:

• A new report from the Urban Institute finds that the US is facing a shortage of affordable housing, with 11.4 million renter households paying more than 30% of their income on rent.
• A new survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) finds that 75% of Americans believe that the US is experiencing a housing shortage.
• A new report from Zillow finds that the top 10% of homebuyers in the US are earning an average of $250,000 per year, while the bottom 10% are earning an average of $30,000 per year.

Company News:

• Zillow is acquiring Trulia, a rival real estate website, for $3.5 billion.
• Redfin is expanding its operations to new markets, including Denver, Colorado, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
• Realtor.com is launching a new mobile app that allows users to search for homes and connect with real estate agents on the go.

Other News:

• A new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that 64% of homebuyers are using the internet to search for homes, while 44% are using real estate agents.
• A new survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) finds that 71% of Americans believe that owning a home is a key part of the American Dream.
• A new report from the Urban Institute finds that the US is facing a shortage of affordable housing, with 11.4 million renter households paying more than 30% of their income on rent.