US home sales fell 1.3% in January

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home sales retreated 1.3% in January from the prior month, but low mortgage rates helped enable an increase in purchases from a year ago. The National Association of Realtors said Friday that sales of existing homes slipped last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.46...

Sanders' 'summer camp' in Vermont becomes fodder in debate

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Can a socialist own a summer house? That's the question unabashed capitalist billionaire Mike Bloomberg — who himself owns about a dozen homes — posed as he tried to brand Sen. Bernie Sanders a hypocrite in Wednesday night's fiery Democratic presidential primary debate....

A glance at mortgage rates; 30-year rate rises for 2nd week

U.S. long-term mortgage rates rose slightly for the second straight week, but remain at historically low levels that provide an incentive for potential home buyers. This week Last week Year ago 30-year fixed 3.49 3.47 4.35 15-year fixed 2.99 2.97 3.78 5-year adjustable 3.25 3.28 3.84

Can't find an affordable FHA-approved home? You have options

Americans took out nearly $150 billion in loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration to buy homes in 2018. Nearly 83% of those FHA borrowers were first-time home buyers, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's unsurprising that FHA loans are especially popular with first-time...

Home quarantine for travelers buys time as new virus spreads

On his return from China last week, Dr. Ian Lipkin quarantined himself in his basement. His wife now puts his food on the stairs. He’s run out of things to watch on Netflix. At odd hours, he walks in New York's Central Park, keeping 10 feet away from others. Lipkin is among hundreds of people in the U.S....

2020 Democrats step up attacks to blunt Bloomberg's rise

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidates hoping to revive their flagging campaigns increasingly took aim at Mike Bloomberg, blasting their billionaire rival for trying to buy his way into the White House and raising questions about his commitment to racial equality. Struggling to recover from...

10 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. ‘WHAT A SAD DISAPPOINTMENT’ Top House Democrats are planning to investigate what they call Attorney General William Barr’s efforts to politicize federal law enforcement. 2. CHINA SEES...

Buyers face more competition amid shortage of home listings

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Americans shopping for a home this spring may face more competition than they have in years. A strong labor market and growing pool of would-be buyers as more millennials enter their 30s is expected to fuel demand for homes at a time when the inventory of properties for sale is at the...

Bloomberg once blamed end of 'redlining' for 2008 collapse

WASHINGTON (AP) — At the height of the 2008 economic collapse, then-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the elimination of a discriminatory housing practice known as “redlining” was responsible for instigating the meltdown. “It all started back when there was a lot of pressure on...

5 home improvements that may not pay off when you sell

You spent the holidays binging on HGTV, and now visions of shiplap accent walls and freestanding soaking tubs are dancing through your head. Don’t let your desire to upgrade your home downgrade your home's market value. Before you make a renovation fantasy a reality, consider whether the project will pay...