Insights, Notes & Briefs
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Research Note | November 12, 2024
The Decline in Relative Housing Affordability and the Impact on Homebuyer Search Behavior
In this analysis, we use actual, detailed transaction data on rents, home prices, and mortgage payments for individual homes and borrowers to produce a new relative affordability measure. More
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Research Brief | July 31, 2023
Temporary Mortgage Rate Buydown Activity Spiked in Late 2022, Now Becoming Less Common
In the second-half of 2022, temporary mortgage rate buydowns increased in popularity. However, several factors explain why temporary rate buydowns remain a niche market. More
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Research Brief | May 24, 2023
The Top 10 Metro Areas Homebuyers Are Moving Into and Out of
According to recent Freddie Mac research, the pace of net migration is declining but the same metro areas are experiencing net migration gains and losses. More
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Research Brief | April 25, 2023
Low-Income Homebuyers Are Less Likely to Migrate from Cities, More Likely to Miss Potential Cost Savings
Since the start of the pandemic, low-income homebuyers are 25% less likely than moderate- and high-income homebuyers to move out of the top 25 largest metro areas, and those who don’t move may miss out on $1,800 per year in cost savings. More
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Research Brief | March 2, 2023
In Today’s Housing Market, Renters Have More Financial Incentive to Migrate to More Affordable Metros than Homeowners
First-time homebuyers’ incentives to move from a high-cost metro to a more affordable area are significantly higher in a higher interest rate environment, but existing homeowners have more incentive to stay put. More
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Research Brief | February 16, 2023
When Rates Are Higher, Borrowers Who Shop Around Save More
As mortgage rates remain higher than in recent years, homebuyers can potentially save $600-$1,200 annually by applying for mortgages from multiple lenders. More
