The National Association of Home Builders conducts a monthly survey to measure how confident builders are in the market for newly built, single-family homes. After all, if builders – whose livelihood depends on selling new homes – are optimistic about the market, chances are good that conditions are favorable for buyers too. According to the most recent results, builder sentiment over the past three months has been higher than at any time since December 2017. In fact, February's results scored a 74 on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders feel conditions are good than poor. Dean Mon, NAHB's chairman, says there are a number of positive factors that are keeping builders optimistic, but there are some lingering challenges as well. “Steady job growth, rising wages, and low interest rates are fueling demand but builders are still grappling with increasing construction and development costs,” Mon said. Those increasing costs make it challenging for builders to build affordable new homes, which are important right now since there are fewer entry-level homes available for sale in many markets. Still, a high level of optimism from home builders is a good sign for the 2020 housing market.

Fantasizing is a big part of shopping for a home – whether you're dreaming of a big kitchen, a beautiful backyard, or tons of storage space. Every home shopper has, if not a dream house, at the very least, some features they're dreaming about having in their next home. And, according to one recent survey, there's one feature that most of us share. That's a quick commute to work or school. In fact, about 62 percent of home shoppers said their commute was extremely important when deciding where to buy. If you've ever sat in stand-still traffic after a long day at work, you know why. Spending time sitting in traffic when you'd prefer to be at home relaxing or enjoying time with your family can be frustrating. So it's no surprise that buyers, renters, sellers, and owners all agree they want to spend no more than 30 minutes commuting to work. Some even said they'd go no further than 15 minutes. On the other end, just 12 percent said they'd consider driving 45 minutes to an hour and an equal amount said they wouldn't mind driving an hour or more.

Like any big decision, buying a home requires a lot of thought and consideration. You have to figure out what you want, what you need, and what you can do without. But, if you're buying a home as a couple, you also need to compromise with your significant other. Because, chances are, the two of you will have some different ideas when it comes to the type of home to buy, the features you have to have, the neighborhood you'd like to live in, and the amount you'd like to spend. In fact, a recent survey found 77 percent of couples who bought a home together in the past decade argued during the home buying process. But what were the most common squabbles? Well, 54 percent said they argued over what style or size of home they should buy, while 47 percent of respondents said they argued over what their dealbreakers were. Fewer participants named the neighborhood as a point of contention, while others said they argued about the budget, whether to buy a fixer-upper, or mortgage options. Whatever the case, it's clear that most couples will face some disagreements while going through the buying process. The good news is it'll get better. Survey results show fewer baby-boomer couples reported arguing than younger couples did.

In markets where there are fewer homes for sale, prospective home buyers might have to look around a while before they find a home that fits their lifestyle and checks off the right boxes on their wishlist. This can be frustrating. But, if you know what to expect and have a plan to deal with it, it doesn't have to be. So what do buyers who have been looking a while do when they can't find a home that works? Well, according to one recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders, the majority of buyers say they practice patience. In fact, 51 percent of respondents said they'd just continue looking for the right home in the same location. If you've run out of patience, however, you can also try looking in a different neighborhood. Expanding your search area will give you more options and you may stumble upon a neighborhood you hadn't consider that ends up being a perfect fit. Other survey participants said they'd be willing to look at smaller or older homes, though only 19 percent said so. Still, rethinking your list of must haves and dealbreakers can help you see your current options in a different light. Finally, 16 percent said they'd up their budget and look at more expensive homes, which is a fine strategy if you can afford it.

Each month, Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index measures Americans' feelings about the housing market, the economy, and their personal finances. Survey participants weigh in on their expectations for mortgage rates, home prices, their job security, income, and whether or not they think it's a good or bad time to buy or sell a home. In January, sentiment rose for the third consecutive month, moving the index closer to an all-time survey high. Put simply, Americans are feeling optimistic and a lot of it is due to an expectation that mortgage rates will stay low for the foreseeable future. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's senior vice president and chief economist, says the outlook is good. “Low rates continue to be a key driver of consumer optimism about both current home buying and home-selling conditions,” Duncan said. “Favorable views on job security and personal financial expectations reflect the strength of the labor market, which we believe will continue to bolster housing demand.” Survey results show 59 percent of respondents say it's a good time to buy a home and 66 percent say it's a good time to sell.

Buying a home can be equal parts exciting and stressful. The thrill of starting fresh in a new house in a new neighborhood is undeniable. But the buying process, financing, and moving can cause anxiety, especially for buyers that haven't been through it before. So what are the factors that cause prospective home buyers the most stress? Well, according to one recent survey, today's buyers have some pretty specific concerns. The first is financing. Buying a home is major financial transaction and the process of securing a loan can seem complex and daunting. After all, borrowing that much money isn't something to be taken lightly. So it's natural that buyers might have some concerns when committing to a long-term loan. The other major stress point for prospective buyers is selling their existing home. Getting a house ready to sell, showing it, and timing the sale to coincide with an upcoming move can be overwhelming. That's no surprise. There are a lot of unknowns and not knowing how everything will play out naturally can cause some stress. That's why it's so important to hire experienced real-estate professionals to help you through the process. A knowledgeable guide can alleviate stress and ensure a smooth and successful home buying experience.

Choosing a home to buy means considering everything from whether the roof is in good condition to whether the neighborhood fits your needs and lifestyle. And, since you're unlikely to find a home that checks every box on your wishlist, you have to prioritize. Are good schools worth sacrificing the big backyard you've always wanted? Can you stand a longer commute in order to live closer to family and friends? In short, you've got to make choices about what's most important to you. One factor that seems to be a priority for today's buyers is walkability. In fact, according to one recent analysis, home buyers are willing to pay nearly 25 percent more for a home that is within walking distance to amenities like shopping, entertainment, and recreation. That works out to nearly $80,000 more than a similar home in a more car-dependent neighborhood. But, while home buyers are clearly interested in living in neighborhoods close to the things they need, the premium they're willing to pay has fallen over the past few years. In fact, since 2016, the premium buyers pay for homes in walkable neighborhoods has declined 2.3 percent

It's no secret that home prices have been climbing in recent years. And though increases have slowed from what they were a few years ago, prices are still heading higher. That can cause affordability challenges for prospective buyers, especially those who are buying for the first time. But, for current homeowners, higher home prices are welcome news. That's because, when home values rise, so does home equity. So just how much have recent sellers profited from the sale of their home? Well, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, home sellers nationwide realized a home price gain of $65,500 on the typical sale, which is a 13-year high and up from $58,100 the year before. Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM, says 2019 was a great year to be a home seller. “The nation's housing boom kept roaring along in 2019 as prices hit a new record, returning ever-higher profits to home sellers and posing ever-greater challenges for buyers seeking bargains,” Teta said. “In short, it was a great year to be a seller.” Profits and return on investment have improved now for eight consecutive years, though last year's improvement was the smallest since 2011

Deciding which home to buy is a big decision. The home you choose will likely be the one you live in for the next several years. So naturally, when you find one that fits your needs and lifestyle, you should take your time and weigh out all the pros and cons before making an offer. Right? Well, not exactly. These days, good homes sell quickly. In fact, according to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors, the typical home was on the market for just 41 days in December and 43 percent of homes sold in less than a month. That means, you have to act fast when you find a house you like, or you'll risk the home being purchased by another buyer before you've even made an offer. This is why it's important to be prepared, pre-approved, and aware of what your must haves and deal-breakers are. You're less likely to make a decision you'll regret if you've got everything in order and have thoroughly thought out what you want, what you don't want, and how much you'd like to spend.

The housing market has up years and down years. And the list of factors that influence it is long. Everything from geopolitical tension to student loan debt has a role in determining how many Americans decide it's time to buy a house. So what do conditions look like for the housing market in 2020? Well, according to Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group, things are looking good. Their latest forecast cites factors like rising wages, a strong labor market, and improved household finances as reasons to be encouraged. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's senior vice president and chief economist, says Americans are doing well and market factors are positioned for them to take advantage. “Strong consumer demand and low mortgage rates – as well as moderate improvements to supply – have housing well-positioned for a comeback year in 2020,” Duncan said. “While we expect housing to regain its place as an economic growth driver after a period of relative sluggishness, we recognize that the problems of affordability and inventory are likely to persist for the forecast horizon.”