Alarm bells for homebuyers, real estate agents and lawyers include: sellers seeming unfamiliar with the property, brand new documentation, and inconsistencies in data.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mortgage-fraud-bc-homes-1.6732176?cmp=rss

All homebuyers deserve robust consumer protection.

Source: https://www.thestar.com/business/opinion/2023/05/14/why-a-cooling-off-period-for-resale-homes-is-a-bad-idea.html

Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank, stands accused of dereliction of duty after announcing an increase in the base lending rate that will cause financial misery for homebuyers and could tip struggling small businesses over the edge.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12224769/RICHARD-LITTLEJOHN-Safe-Bank-England.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

And with that, people not wanting to borrow because they can’t afford it, especially first time homebuyers.”

Source: https://kobi5.com/news/oregon-employment-department-reports-job-growth-in-2022-202517/

As if rising mortgage rates and high house prices aren’t enough, homebuyers in the new year are going to have to contend with higher fees to obtain their credit reports.

Source: https://bankerandtradesman.com/higher-credit-report-fees-hit-homebuyers/

At least 65% of women homebuyers in India prefer to invest in real estate, followed by 20% favouring the stock markets.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/money/what-women-investors-need-to-know-before-investing-in-real-estate/3108573/

Back in 2022, homebuyers in about half of the country’s 100 largest cities were crippled by losses of more than $100,000 in buying power compared with a year prior.

Source: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/mortgage-rates-now-cost-homebuyers-a-whole-bedroom-worth-of-space/

But we’d be remiss not to mention that there are that the popularity of Airbnb scoops up homes in certain markets, creating scarcity for first-time homebuyers and renters.

Source: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/is-an-airbnb-or-a-hotel-cheaper-for-your-next-vacation/

Crafting unique solutions that reflect these nuances and incorporating inputs from a range of stakeholders, including the homebuyers themselves, can enhance decision-making and expedite the resolution process.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-laws/revolutionising-real-estate-insolvency-with-enhanced-protections-for-homebuyers/article67543674.ece

For homebuyers who choose part exchange, Redrow becomes the cash buyer for your existing home with no messy chains or estate agent fees, skipping all the traditional home-selling headaches and fast-tracking you straight into your future home.

Source: https://www.lep.co.uk/arts-and-culture/want-an-easier-more-affordable-move-redrow-launches-part-exchange-in-lancashire-4366212

Habitat is also part of a major housing project in that will create 120 units of single-family housing that will be marketed to low-income, first-time homebuyers.

Source: https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2023/09/09/mke-county-county-habitat-for-humanity-to-partner-on-suburban-affordable-homes/

Harper noted in a Unifirst Mortgage press release that he’s excited about “engaging in affinity programs with local businesses, assisting first-time homebuyers, working with self-employed borrowers and helping first responders.”

Source: https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/business/biz-buzz-for-march-12-2023/article_71b40a92-beb7-11ed-b4bb-6ba0fd8de9cd.html

Having QMIs available for sale is also important, because just like existing homes, homebuyers can close much sooner on a than on a to-be-built home and it allows customers more certainty on mortgage rates.

Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4632087-hovnanian-enterprises-inc-hov-q3-2023-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed_all_articles

High mortgage rates also left homebuyers with limited options over the last year, since current homeowners were reluctant to move and give up the lower rates they secured in the past.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-mortgage-rates-home-prices-buyers-investors-real-estate-2023-12

High mortgage rates and rising prices have dissuaded homebuyers, but that could change in 2024.

Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4659720-jls-take-advantage-of-the-2024-housing-reversal-with-this-10-percent-yielder?source=feed_all_articles

I believe the most desired and more reasonable outcome for homebuyers and investors alike may be current interest rates and stable demand rather than lower interest rates coupled with lower demand.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuapollard/2023/04/20/lower-interest-rates-could-actually-be-bad-for-real-estate-markets-right-now/

If homebuyers can handle the seasonal variability of living in cottage country or are interested in being part of a growing community, he believes it’s as viable a path to homeownership as any other for those looking for a more affordable option.

Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/9979492/home-school-condo-freehold-cottage-first-time-buyer/

If the higher-for-longer interest rate policy persists, 2024 may not bring any relief for homebuyers.

Source: https://investorplace.com/2023/10/5-reasons-why-theres-never-been-a-worse-time-to-be-a-homebuyer/

Institutional investors also are "increasingly transitioning" to building new rental homes rather than purchasing existing homes, and they are selling rental properties to individual homebuyers.

Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/rental-housing-industry-under-scrutiny-as-contributor-to-escalating-home-prices/article_3d959c12-5922-11ed-bde7-cff3c14eb465.html

I see Zillow's continuous ability to beat housing-market trends as an encouraging signal of the company's lasting brand power among real estate agents and homebuyers.

Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4628012-zillow-stock-q2-2023-earnings-rebound-story-alive-reiterate-buy?source=feed_all_articles