Buying

The homebuyers who remain in the market have more choices, less competition and more negotiating power. Here’s what you need to know about the U.S. housing market for the four weeks ending September 13: Buyers have more breathing room than they’ve had in years. Pending home sales fell 3.5% from a week earlier to their…

In all 50 of the largest U.S. metros, the typical rent is less than the typical monthly homebuyer payment — giving renters a monthly advantage they can turn into long-term wealth.

The challenges facing prospective homebuyers are not uniform across the country: some places punch above their weight class in terms of homebuilding and subsequently offer more affordable homes to buyers, while others struggle to deliver new inventory and have housing markets that remain inaccessible to many.

Builders are offering rate incentives that could be worth over $600 on the monthly payment for the median priced new home.

Relief may be on the horizon as the season quickly approaches the best time to buy a home — the time of year when the balance of market conditions favor buyers the most.