Dina ElBoghdady and Dan Keating report on the state of the real estate market as it concerns the wealthiest Americans—times are good if you are wealthy and looking to borrow money to buy a home.
"For the first time in recent memory, lenders are offering well-heeled buyers large 'jumbo' mortgages at the same — or even better — interest rates as smaller loans," report Dina ElBoghdady and Dan Keating.
"The number of homes sold for $1 million or more climbed 8 percent this year while those at every other price point combined fell 4 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors." In fact, at the highest levels of the market, it might seem like the housing crash never even happened: "[The share of homes selling for $1 million or more] now hovers at a level last seen near the housing boom’s peak in 2007, according to research firm CoreLogic."
FULL STORY: Rich people are splurging on million-dollar homes again. Here’s why.
Racial Bias Still Rampant in the Mortgage Industry
New research that controls for financial factors the industry said would explain disparities shows that race still plays a major role in loan decisions.
Foreclosures Near 20-Year Low
Some areas of the country are experiencing stress in the housing market, according to the new CoreLogic "Loan Performance Insights" report, but overall it's a long-time since homeowners have been so stable.
A Case Against Homeownership
Against all odds, both political parties agree on at least one thing: the merits of homeownership. But is buying a home really such a great investment, even for the well-off?
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service