The Demand for Single-Story Home Construction Increases

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New single-family housing construction in the Great Lakes region is following a nationwide trend. For the last 4 years, the number of single-story homes being built has gradually increased. The number of two or more storied homes has been decreasing. Although single-story homes are more expensive to build, they appeal to older home buyers who have more money to spend as they downsize their homes. That makes single-story sites very lucrative.

Justice Department Sends Antitrust Signals

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The Justice Department backed out of a proposed settlement with the National Association of Realtors in regards to real-estate agents’ high commissions. Although in the past, the government has brought antitrust cases and then decided to dismiss them, they have never agreed to a proposed settlement and then backed out. There’s speculation that this is a signal from Washington that antitrust enforcers are ready to address the exorbitant brokerage costs that American homeowners pay, often 2 to 3 times higher than the rest of the developed world.

 

Detroit’s AT&T Building Changes Hands

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Although public records don’t yet reflect a sale, real estate investment firm, Reign Capital LLC, has bought the AT&T Inc.’s 20-story building. The property was purchased in late May for $15.5 million through an affiliate, Reign CO1 Propco LLC. The company has also recently purchased AT&T properties in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Winston-Salem. An AT&T spokesperson has stated that the change in building ownership will not affect employees or operations.

 

Tenants Terrorize Landlord: No Eviction In Sight

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Queens, New York landlord, Vanie Mangal, spends her days supporting Covid 19 patients and her nights facing harrassment from her tenants.  Some of her tenants haven’t paid rent in over 15 months, and she has lost over $36,000 in rent. They’ve also destroyed or damaged her personal property. The federal government and the state of New York imposed eviction moratoriums. The moratoriums have hit small landlords especially hard. An estimated 28 percent of New York’s 2.3 million rental units are owned by landlords who have fewer than five properties. Landlords can seek pandemic financial assistance, but the aid is too slow, and it comes with certain strings attached that limit the actions the landlord can take against unruly tenants. 

Rental Market Experiencing Inflation

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With people continuing to work virtually and relocating to less expensive cities, along with the influx of millennials and Gen Z renters, the rental market is beginning to surge as the economy reopens. Rent prices are up 7.5% nationwide, three times more than normal. Experts predict that rent prices will continue to climb. This could be a warning sign that higher inflation is here to stay longer than the federal government has predicted.

Weekly Brief – July 6, 2021

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As the residential market starts to settle back into a normal pattern, buyers are focusing on amenities that made homes appealing prior to the pandemic. However, given the impact of the pandemic and the lockdown, some of these features are receiving extra attention.

Buyers are now favoring more than ever outdoor amenities. Lakefront homes, golf course homes, and homes with “outdoor rooms” are becoming more attractive to buyers, as some are focusing on the ability to enjoy life even if there is a future pandemic leading to lockdowns.

On a (tangentially) related note, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA Tour event at Detroit Golf Club last week. Even an extremely hot day on the golf course volunteering beat a day in the office!

The Housing Market May Be Hitting Bottom

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From April to May, pending home sales rose 8% according to the National Association of Realtors. Economists had projected a !% decrease. The housing marking is attracting buyers due to falling mortgage rates, which fell below 3%. All regions of the country saw an uptick in sales. Economists predict that the market will slowdown in the 2nd half of 2021, citing the flattening in mortgage demand over the past couple months. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s data backs up the prediction. Buyers are facing challenges with the average loan size increasing. Many first-time homebuyers are squeezed out of the market due to entry-level homes for sale.

 

 

 

Eviction Moratorium Continues Through July

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The pandemic-inspired nationwide ban on evictions is hanging around for a while longer. The Supreme Court rejected pleas by landlords to end the moratorium with a 5-4 vote to keep the pan in place. The ban is due to expire at the end of July and another extension isn’t expected. In addition, the Treasury Department issued guidance encouraging a streamline distribution of the near $47 billion available for emergency rental assistance. The government is attempting to blunt the impact of the end of the eviction moratorium.

 

Outdoor Living Spaces Tip the Scales

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Outdoor living spaces are a tipping point for homebuyers. Buyers are looking to entertain family and friends in pandemic-proof ways. Home owners want access to golf courses, larger yards, attractive landscaping, and outdoor rooms. Previously buyers may have bought a cabin in northern Michigan, but now they want everything just steps away.  People are focusing on updating and upgrading their outdoor spaces as much as their indoor spaces. Lakefront property is hot right now. Listed lakefront houses and condos are on the market for about 18 days.

 

Buyers Continue Bidding Wars

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It continues to be a “dog-eat-dog” world for home buyers. Brokers advise clients to get pre-approval, save, and have some cash to bring to the table. Many home buyers are waiving home inspections, bidding before seeing the home, paying cash, and paying thousands over the asking price to get to the closing table. With more buyers than sellers, the competition is vicious with the average home going for $10,000 over the asking price. Appraisal guarantees are deal-makers, and buyers will have a hard time winning a bid without one.