While fewer houses are being bought and sold in the first months of the pandemic, prices are on the rise as buyers find less supply available on the market.
"Home sales may have slowed to a trickle, as much of the national economy shut down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, but home prices did just the opposite," reports Diana Olick.
"Nationally, values rose 5.4% annually in April, a sharp increase from the 4.5% annual increase in March," adds Olick, citing data from CoreLogic.
The rising prices have coincided with a decline in supply, especially at the entry level into the market. "The inventory of entry-level homes for sale fell 25% in April from a year ago," explains Olick. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic, is quoted saying that the lack of supply is likely to contribute to rising housing prices through the spring.
FULL STORY: Home prices in April saw biggest gain in 2 years, but they’re expected to drop by next year
How 2020 Changed the Rental Market
A new report by RentCafé reveals the extent of the pandemic's influence on the rental market—so far.
A Tale of Two Real Estate Markets
Hotels, retail, and office properties, along with renters, have been ravaged by the economic downturn of the pandemic. Meanwhile home sales are booming as people with money in the bank take advantage of low interest rates to upgrade.
Home Prices Expected to Hit a Coronavirus Speed Bump in 2020
A report by Zillow predicts a sudden reversal for the housing market, which has been soaring in many places around the country ever since the worst of the financial crisis and housing market crash of the Great Recession.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association