Redfin Corp - RDFN STOCK NEWS

On July 6, 2020, Redfin reported that 15.9% of Black Americans applying for mortgages experience rejection, compared to 7% for white Americans. The widest disparities occur in cities like Milwaukee and San Francisco, where Black applicants face over a 10-point higher denial rate. While overall mortgage rejection rates have halved since the 2008 financial crisis, Black applicants frequently encounter barriers due to debt and credit histories. Efforts to close this gap include increased financial education and diversification in the lending industry.

The median sale price for luxury homes in the U.S. dropped by 2.3% year-over-year to $1,099,521 during the 12 weeks ending June 14, marking one of the largest declines since 2015. However, data indicates a potential rebound, with a 3.5% increase for luxury homes in the top 5% over the week ending June 14. The pandemic significantly impacts luxury sales, which saw a 29.9% year-over-year decline. Meanwhile, non-luxury home prices rose by 4.1%.

Pending home sales for the week ending June 21 decreased by 3% year-over-year, nearing 2019 levels, according to Redfin's latest market report. Homebuying demand surged 30% above pre-pandemic levels, driven by mortgage rates dropping to historic lows below 3%. Completed home sales fell 12%, but are expected to recover later in the summer. A lack of housing supply hinders sales growth, with new listings down 9%. Price growth for newly listed homes rose 10%, leading to increased competition with 52% of offers facing bidding wars.

As of Q1 2020, homeownership among Black families stands at 44%, up from 41.1% in Q1 2019, while the rate for white families has slightly increased to 73.7%. Minneapolis has the lowest Black homeownership rate at 25%, followed by Milwaukee and Salt Lake City. The report highlights a persistent gap in homeownership rates influenced by systemic racism, discriminatory policies, and economic challenges. Notably, the Black homeownership rate has declined in most metros since 2012, necessitating efforts for systemic change in the housing market.

During the 12 weeks ending May 31, home prices in the most affordable third of the U.S. increased by 5.5% year over year, while the most expensive third saw a mere 2% rise. This growth trend is tied to a shortage of affordable homes on the market, with an average of 322,000 homes available in the bottom tier. The gap between the price growth rates of the two segments has widened to 3.5 percentage points.

Additionally, with historically low mortgage rates, many first-time buyers are opting for affordable homes, leading to increased competition and further price hikes.

Redfin reports a record 27.0% of home searchers looking to relocate to different metro areas during April and May 2020, up from 25.2% in Q2 2019. This migration surge, influenced by the pandemic, sees many users leaving expensive coastal cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles for more affordable options. Notably, home searches in small towns increased by 87% year-over-year. The report highlights a trend toward suburban living and smaller towns as remote work becomes more common, but the long-term effects of these changes remain uncertain.

Redfin (NASDAQ: RDFN) has officially launched its real estate brokerage in Anchorage, Alaska, making it the company's first market in the state. Residents can now access full-service agents and utilize Redfin's advanced technology for buying and selling homes. Clients can save an average of $8,200 with Redfin's model, featuring a 1.5% listing fee and additional savings for buyers who also sell through Redfin. The brokerage focuses on transparency, employing agents who are salaried and incentivized to provide excellent service based on customer reviews.

Redfin's analysis reveals that the coronavirus shutdowns have had a limited impact on homebuyer demand, primarily benefiting economically advantaged individuals. High-income buyers are taking advantage of low mortgage rates and job security, while low-income workers in sectors like service and hospitality face record unemployment. The disparity continues with Black families experiencing higher unemployment rates. Homebuyer demand has rebounded, especially in cities like Detroit and Seattle, where the market shows early signs of recovery despite ongoing economic challenges.

The housing market displayed early signs of recovery in May 2020, with a dramatic increase in homes for sale and contracts from April levels, according to Redfin's report. U.S. home-sale prices rose 0.5% year-over-year to a median of $299,400. However, overall home sales fell 30.8% compared to a year ago, with the most expensive metro areas seeing declines of 38% to 58%. Homes under contract increased 33% month-over-month, suggesting potential sales growth in June and July. Despite challenges, the market remains competitive due to a shortage of listings.