home buyers

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to announce a new 'Help to Buy'-style scheme next week called 'Your First Home'. Reports say it would allow young people to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, a far lower barrier than most mortgages require. The proposal is drawing heavy attention online, with many debating whether such low-deposit buying would genuinely help first-time buyers or fuel house price inflation.

Mortgage rates have climbed above 7%, renewing debate over the direction of the housing market. Higher borrowing costs are squeezing affordability for buyers and raising questions about whether home prices and sales activity will cool further. Commentators are weighing whether rates will stay elevated or ease, and what that means for buyers, sellers and the broader economy.

Mortgage rates in the United States have reached 7%, a level not seen in years, and the Wall Street Journal is examining what this means for homebuyers and the broader housing market. Higher borrowing costs are expected to strain affordability, potentially cooling home sales and putting pressure on prices as buyers and sellers adjust expectations.

Roughly half of home sellers in the United States are now offering incentives to attract buyers, according to Fortune. Perks range from cruise packages to cash bonuses of up to $20,000, reflecting a cooling housing market where properties are sitting longer and buyers hold more negotiating power. The trend marks a notable shift from the pandemic-era seller's market.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced a new housing programme, including plans to revive a Help to Buy-style scheme aimed at boosting housebuilding and helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The Financial Times reports the initiative is designed to stimulate construction, while The Times highlights its focus on getting young people into home ownership. The proposals position Burnham as an active voice on housing policy.

New figures map how home prices have moved across the 50 largest metro areas in the United States, showing a split market in which some cities continue to post gains while others are seeing values slip. The data is being used to track where affordability pressures are easing or worsening and what that means for buyers and sellers heading into the next housing cycle.

US mortgage rates increased again on September 26, marking a third consecutive day of rises and adding to the cost pressure on home buyers and those looking to refinance. Borrowers face higher monthly payments as lenders adjust rates upward, with would-be buyers watching closely to decide whether to lock in now or hold out for a possible retreat.

Home asking prices have fallen compared with a year ago, according to a new analysis of housing market data. The report also tracks how asking prices have shifted over the past decade, giving buyers and sellers a longer view of the market beyond the recent slowdown.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates again, and attention is turning to what the move means for the housing market. Higher borrowing costs typically push up mortgage rates, cooling buyer demand and putting downward pressure on home prices. Commentators and analysts are debating whether the increase will finally slow price growth, how much further the central bank may go, and what it means for buyers and sellers.

Housing experts say building more mid-market rental homes is the most effective way to get the stalled housing market moving again. They argue a shortage of affordable mid-range rental supply is leaving both renters and buyers stuck, and that expanding this segment would free up movement across the whole market.

New York City has been ranked the fifth-hardest US metropolitan area for first-time home buyers, according to a new report. The ranking points to how difficult it is for people trying to purchase their first property in the city, amid high prices and limited affordability. It adds New York to a list of major US metros where entry-level buyers face the steepest obstacles.

Democrats and Republicans are showing rare bipartisan agreement on measures to limit corporate ownership of residential housing. Lawmakers from both parties have voiced concern that large investors buying up homes are driving up rents and pricing out ordinary buyers, fueling talk of new restrictions on corporate landlords. The issue is drawing attention as housing affordability remains a top voter concern.

Home sales in Sugar Land and Missouri City fell in August, according to local reporting from Community Impact. The decline in the Fort Bend County suburbs adds to signs of a cooling Texas housing market, as higher mortgage rates and affordability pressures weigh on buyers. Residents and market watchers are watching whether prices and inventory will follow sales downward in the coming months.

New housing market analysis identifies the US regions where homebuilders are offering their steepest discounts on new homes, and profiles the buyers still active despite high mortgage rates. Coverage highlights that elevated rates and rising inventories have pushed builders to cut prices or offer incentives, while demand persists mainly among targeted buyer groups.