Quartz shares a collection of data showing reasons for optimism on the road to a long, slow recovery.
After describing that the U.S. housing market as "an enduring symbol of the 2008 financial crisis," Melvin Blackman shares a number of metrics that show positive signs.
Positive signs from the market, as described by Blackman:
- Housing starts on the rebound.
- More existing houses being sold.
- First-time buyers are increasing as cash-only buyers decrease.
- Lenders loosening credit.
Each of those points is illustrated with charts and links to the data backing up the claim. But like many in the industry, Blackman notes that the current condition of the market falls short of a "full throated real estate boom." Indeed, the recent "State of the Nation's Housing" report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University described the market as losing momentum and full of bad news for renters.
FULL STORY: These charts show all the ways US housing is making its comeback
Condo Sales Drop Everywhere in New York City, But Least of All Outside of Manhattan
A clearer picture of the economic downturn's effects on New York City real estate is emerging. So far, new buyers are betting on boroughs not named Manhattan.
First-Time Home Buyers Look Different Than They Once Did
New home-buyers are a little older and a lot more likely to be single than they were 20 years ago.
In the Housing Market, a Few Decades Makes a Huge Difference
"[P]erhaps at this point, this column should include a trigger warning for any young couple traumatized by the current housing market around here."
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
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Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research