Privately owned housing starts jumped 19.4% from February’s revised estimate to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,739,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development

“All the converging trends, including domestic migration from high-tax states, a brutal winter around the nation and historically low interest rates, are resulting in an unprecedented high-end market.”—Mike Pappas, Keyes and Illustrated Properties President and CEO

“Staging a home helps consumers see the full potential of a given space or property. It features the home in its best light and helps would-be buyers envision its various possibilities.” — Jessica Lautz, NAR vice president of demographics and behavioral insights

Forty-three percent of respondents to the first-quarter Zillow Home Price Expectations survey expect inventory to improve in the second half of the year, followed by 26% who expect it in the first half of 2022.

The housing supply shortage is expected to get more extreme as homebuyer demand continues to outweigh inventory levels, a new study found.

“The whole region has had a surge in demand, including Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.”—Jennifer Motsinger, Executive VP, Tampa Bay Builders Association

Rising wages and falling mortgage rates are helping keep homeownership within reach of average wage earners nationwide despite surges in housing prices.

Prices in the Miami metro area were up 7.0% over February 2020. CoreLogic classified Houston’s market as “overvalued.”

“Realtors from all walks of life share the common purpose of making a positive difference in communities across the country and delivering excellent service to their clients,” — NAR President Charlie Oppler.

“We have seen a surge of interest from millennials, who are the highest demographic partaking in leisure and personal travel, to have flexibility in their nomadic lifestyles.” — Alicia Lamadrid Paysse, sales director at Cevera Real Estate

Home prices posted monthly and yearly gains in January across the U.S. as well, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices.

Where are the best places for agents to work? Punta Gorda is one of them.

“The demand for a home purchase is widespread, multiple offers are prevalent, and days-on-market are swift, but contracts are not clicking due to record-low inventory.” — NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

It was a surprise year of growth for homebuilders in 2020, but that could be constrained by higher lumber costs, regulatory issues and a shortage of available lots, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.

A recent report from Redfin states that Florida’s “redlined” neighborhoods, which were once considered less desirable and relegated to Blacks and other minorities under racist policies, are frequently less prone to damage from flooding and climate change than non-redlined or “greenlined” neighborhoods.

The Redfin report noted that homes selling below their listing price in Miami “reflects market norms in the area.”