Real estate news

Here are some recent real estate news updates:

Market Trends

• The US housing market is experiencing a slowdown, with existing home sales declining 1.3% in January, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). (Source: NAR)
• The median home price in the US reached a record high of $270,000 in January, according to Zillow. (Source: Zillow)
• The number of homes for sale in the US has increased by 10% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com. (Source: Realtor.com)

Interest Rates

• The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged, but has signaled that it may cut rates in the future to support the economy. (Source: Federal Reserve)
• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen to 3.45%, according to Freddie Mac. (Source: Freddie Mac)

Regulatory Changes

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed new rules to regulate mortgage servicers and improve consumer protections. (Source: CFPB)
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed changes to the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) mortgage insurance program to reduce risk and improve affordability. (Source: HUD)

Industry News

• Zillow has acquired ShowingTime, a real estate showing management platform, for $500 million. (Source: Zillow)
• Redfin has launched a new real estate brokerage in California, marking its expansion into the state. (Source: Redfin)
• Realtor.com has partnered with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to provide real estate agents with more data and insights to help them better serve their clients. (Source: Realtor.com)

Economic News

• The US economy grew at a 2.1% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Source: BEA)
• The unemployment rate has fallen to 3.6%, the lowest level since 1969, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Source: BLS)

Technology and Innovation

• Amazon has launched a new real estate platform, Amazon Real Estate, which allows users to search for homes and connect with real estate agents. (Source: Amazon)
• Google has launched a new feature, Google Maps Real Estate, which allows users to search for homes and get directions to open houses. (Source: Google)
• Realtor.com has launched a new AI-powered chatbot, Realtor.com Assistant, which helps users find homes and answer questions about the real estate process. (Source: Realtor.com)