As plans for the nation’s infrastructure take shape, real estate professionals and industry experts say fixing housing shortages needs to be a critical part of the conversation.

“Housing is an essential long-term asset that helps families climb the economic ladder to prosperity, brings folks closer to job opportunities and generates tax revenue that supports community residents,” said Charlie Oppler, president of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

For centuries, historians have debated whether the American Revolution was driven more by ideas or economics. I’m fully in the “ideas” camp, but it would be disingenuous to believe that an economic crisis doesn’t lead to grandiose ideas.

Yes, we’re still below the inventory threshold necessary for filling the supply shortage gap; however, there’s been improvement in the real estate markets for the week ending July 17, according to the latest Weekly Housing Trends report from realtor.com®.

By the numbers:

– New listings are up 9%. More new sellers hit the market compared to a year ago in 14 of the last 17 weeks.

It’s no secret that buyers have had it rough these last couple of years, with skyrocketing demand raising prices and creating a competitive environment that makes it near-impossible to win a bid on a home. There are certain areas, however, in which first-time buyers will have it much easier, according to a new LendingTree report.

Freddie Mac announced that Jerry Mauricio will serve as the company’s senior vice president and chief compliance officer (CCO). Mauricio brings with him over two decades of managing compliance programs in the global financial services industry. Mauricio has been serving in the role of Interim CCO at Freddie Mac since January 2021 and will fully transition to the position of CCO effective immediately.