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
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Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
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Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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