Paul Ratha Yem is a Massachusetts real estate broker and former Cambodian refugee who sees parallels between his story and the women and children escaping war-torn Ukraine.

Foreign buyers accounted for less than 2% of U.S. residential real estate transactions last year, and Russian buyers accounted for less than 1% of those, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. 

“Looking ahead, the potential for higher inflation amidst disruptions in oil and other commodity flows will likely lead to a period of volatility in rates.” — MBA associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting Joel Kan 

The real estate franchisor’s 140,000 agents closed more than two million transaction sides in 2021 to become the first real estate brand to do so in a single calendar year, according to the company.

The National Association of REALTORS® released an official statement this week regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Given the situation in the market — mortgages, home costs and inventory — it would not be surprising to see a retreat in housing demand.” — NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun 

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate has released the findings of a new survey focused on brokerage technology.

“Builders are entering 2022 with backlogs that they are having a hard time completing due to material and labor shortages, and new-home prices are sitting near a historic high.” — First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi

While rising interest rates may lead to more reductions in the housing supply, it may also bring some much-needed balance to the market.

Mortgage applications fell more than 13% in the most-recent week tracked by the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Market Composite Index, while interest rates continued to rise. 

“Production disruptions are so severe that many builders are waiting months to receive cabinets, garage doors, countertops and appliances.” — NAHB Chairman Jerry Konter 

The sales pace of existing homes surged 6.7% in January after falling in December, as buyers got off the fence and went shopping ahead of rising interest rates, the National Association of Realtors reported.

Single-family housing starts fell 5.6% from December’s revised estimate to 1,116,000, while multifamily starts slid 2.1% to 510,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

January foreclosure filings were the highest since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report. 

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration increased to 3.93% from 3.86%, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. 

Pathway Homes was formed by ResiLabs, a partnership between real estate private equity investor Regis Group, single-family rental landlord Invitation Homes Inc. and venture-capital firm Fifth Wall.