Help buyers look beyond market headlines

First-time buyers can make a clearer buy-or-wait decision by weighing their finances, local market conditions, housing costs and future plans.

Florida leads nation in empty lots for sale

Florida has 42,601 empty lots listed for sale, the most in the nation. Zillow estimates that building one home on each listed U.S. lot could reduce the housing shortage by 6.3%.

Mortgage rates rise for fourth week running

The 30-year fixed rate reaches 6.66% as bond yields respond to Iran conflict. That's still slightly below the average of 6.72% a year ago.

Florida home construction cools, but growth pockets emerge

Florida recorded 51,444 new-home permits through the second quarter, down 7% from a year earlier, though Northwest Florida and several counties posted growth.