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US mortgage rates fell for a fourth straight week, edging closer to the  6% mark , though economic uncertainty continues to keep potential homebuyers on the sidelines. Rates at One-Year Low The average  30-year fixed mortgage rate  dropped to  6.17% , down slightly from  6.19%  a week earlier — the  lowest level since October 2024 , according to data from  Freddie Mac . The decline followed the  Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut  on Wednesday, though  Chair Jerome Powell warned investors not to expect additional easing this year. Muted Demand Despite Lower Borrowing Costs Typically, falling rates paired with a strong stock market signal rising housing demand. But in this cycle,  buyer sentiment remains weak . Recent data showed  pending home sales were flat  in September despite  growing inventory levels , underscoring lingering caution among consumers worried about  tariffs, job security,  and t...

South Korea’s central bank left its benchmark rate unchanged for the second straight meeting, balancing the need to support a weak economy against the risks of soaring household debt. Policy Decision Benchmark rate:  Held at  2.50%  by unanimous vote of the seven-member board. Market expectation:  27 of 35 economists polled by Reuters predicted no change. Growth outlook:  Revised up to  0.9% for 2025  (from 0.8%), though still the slowest pace since 2020. Why the Hold? Mortgage debt risk:  Four rate cuts since last year have accelerated household debt, raising financial imbalance concerns. Housing market:  BOK Governor  Rhee Chang-yong  flagged that home prices in parts of Seoul remain “still rising at a high rate.” Global context:  With the US Federal Reserve signaling a rate cut soon, analysts expect the BOK to follow, but with caution. Market & Analyst Views Citi Research (Kim Jin-wook):  Sees a  25 bps cut in ...

The housing market may not be booming yet — but Wall Street is betting on a rebound. On Tuesday,  homebuilders and furniture stocks surged  after PulteGroup and D.R. Horton reported better-than-expected Q2 results. And while revenues still declined year-over-year,  they beat analyst expectations , sparking renewed optimism. Let’s break down what happened and what it could mean for your portfolio: The Numbers That Moved the Market $DHI (D.R. Horton) : →  Revenue : $9.23B vs $8.75B expected →  Net Income : $1.02B vs $887.8M expected → 🔺Stock jumped  17% $PHM (PulteGroup) : →  Revenue : $4.4B vs $4.38B expected →  Profit : $608.5M vs $591.4M expected → 🔺Stock climbed  12% And they weren’t the only winners: $LEN (Lennar) : +8.3% $KBH (KB Home) : +8.8% $BLDR (Builders FirstSource) : +7.3% Furniture names : → $RH: +9.3%, $W (Wayfair): +7.1%, Lovesac: +2.8%  A Hint of Recovery? What’s really fueling the rally?  Not a surge in demand , bu...

South Korea’s central bank  left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50%  on Thursday, in line with market expectations, while  warning of “significant uncertainties”  stemming from rising trade tensions with the US and tepid domestic demand. Key Decision Highlights Interest Rate : Held at  2.50% , matching consensus from all 33 economists surveyed by Reuters. Monetary Stance : Maintains an  accommodative policy path  to support growth, despite elevated household debt. Key Concern : Rising trade threats from the  US  and  slow domestic recovery . “There are significant uncertainties concerning developments in trade negotiations with the US, and the pace of domestic demand recovery,” said the Bank of Korea (BOK). Trade Tensions in Focus US President  Donald Trump’s new tariff plan , effective August 1, has heightened anxiety across Asia. Export-heavy economies like  South Korea  could face serious headwinds as global...

China is preparing to reduce taxes for home purchases in major cities, aiming to stimulate its struggling housing market, according to sources. The plan would allow cities like Shanghai and Beijing to cut the deed tax for homebuyers to as low as 1% (from a current rate of up to 3%), providing much-needed relief to potential buyers. The proposal, hinted at by Finance Minister Lan Fo’an , reflects Beijing’s push to use fiscal tools to bolster the economy. Lan pledged to implement “ more forceful fiscal policies ” next year, following a recent 10 trillion yuan debt swap for local governments. In addition to reducing the deed tax, regulators may also remove the distinction between ordinary and luxury homes , potentially lowering purchase costs for those looking to upgrade their properties. The property market has been struggling with a multi-year downturn, wiping out billions in household wealth and heightening deflationary concerns. October’s residential property sales rose for the f...

China's recent efforts to revive the struggling housing market have yielded promising results, with reports of brisk sales and increased buyer interest during the Golden Week holiday . In cities offering promotions, visits by prospective homebuyers jumped by at least 50%, according to CCTV News , with Beijing seeing expressions of interest in new homes double in the first three days of October. In Shenzhen , sales of new homes soared more than 10 times in the first six days of the month, and second-hand home transactions more than tripled. These developments follow a series of government measures aimed at stabilizing the real estate sector , including lowering mortgage rates and reducing downpayment requirements for second-home purchases. Local governments in cities like Beijing and Shanghai have also widened eligibility for property purchases to stimulate demand. The policy shifts have driven a rally in Chinese developer shares , particularly those listed in Hong Kong . A Bl...

  China is weighing the removal of major restrictions on home purchases in its largest cities, including Beijing and Shanghai , in a bid to revive its slumping housing market , according to sources familiar with the matter. Regulators are discussing proposals that would allow non-local buyers —those without a Hukou residence permit —to purchase homes in mega cities. This relaxation would remove a significant barrier that many smaller cities have already lifted, the sources said. The government is also considering eliminating the distinction between first- and second-home purchases , potentially enabling lower down payments and reduced mortgage rates for second-home buyers. Policymakers are under pressure to reverse a housing slump that has now dragged into its fourth year , slowing China's economy and leaving millions unemployed. Several financial institutions, including UBS Group AG and Bank of America Corp , predict China will miss its 5% growth target for this year. Addi...

Australia 's efforts to resolve its housing crisis are mired in political deadlock, as rental vacancies remain near record lows and home prices continue to rise. A key part of the Labor government’s housing program , designed to assist first-time homebuyers, was postponed for two months after opposition parties voted to delay the legislation on Wednesday. The bill is centered on a shared equity scheme to help Australians enter the housing market with a smaller deposit. A second bill, which aims to provide tax incentives to developers to build rental housing, faces a similar challenge, with criticism from opposition parties. The center-right opposition , led by Senator Andrew Bragg , opposes the idea of corporations becoming landlords, saying it would "corporatise the housing market." The housing market is under severe strain, with rental vacancies in August falling to 1.39% , close to the record low of 1.09% in February, as per PropTrack data. Rising home prices , ...

The upcoming Urban Redevelopment Act in Malaysia will prioritize the safety of old strata residential buildings , many of which were constructed decades ago, according to the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Malaysia . "Due to their age, rundown buildings do not represent the image we want for our major cities. More importantly, these buildings may pose hidden dangers unknown to the residents. Rejuvenating them is the most sensible move to ensure nothing untoward happens," said Rehda Malaysia president Datuk Ho Hon Sang in a statement on Friday. Ho emphasized that while repairs can be done, there is a limit before renewal becomes essential . The new Act will provide a more structured approach to urban renewal efforts , focusing on rebuilding and modernizing urban areas. This initiative is expected to revitalize the property landscape in Malaysian cities, especially in regions with numerous old, dilapidated buildings. “Although the details of the i...