Safety and Climate Risks Drive 18% of Homebuyers to Move, Survey Finds

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A new survey reveals that concerns about safety and climate risks are major factors driving Homebuyers

to move. Nearly 18% of Homebuyers say crime and safety fears are prompting them to relocate, while 14% cite concerns about climate risks, including natural disasters. These factors ranked higher than reasons like lower property taxes, family changes, or better schools.

Redfin’s survey, conducted by Ipsos in September 2024, asked 1,802 U.S. homeowners and renters, with 904 respondents planning to move within the next year. The data highlights the growing influence of safety and environmental concerns among Homebuyers, especially younger generations.

“People want to feel safe, and that includes both protection from crime and the financial burden of climate risks,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. Women, Homebuyers, and younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z are particularly more likely to cite safety and climate concerns as their motivation to move.

While a desire for more space and a better neighborhood top the list of reasons to relocate, the growing influence of safety and environmental factors shows how Homebuyers’ priorities are reshaping the housing market. For many Homebuyers, feeling secure extends beyond the home itself to the surrounding environment and financial stability.

The survey also reveals a shift in decision-making patterns among Homebuyers. While traditional motivators like school districts or property taxes remain relevant, safety and climate risks are becoming deal-breakers for today’s Homebuyers. This trend emphasizes the increasing importance of environmental and social stability for prospective Homebuyers.

As the housing market evolves, Homebuyers are not just looking for a house but for peace of mind. The survey underscores how critical these factors are for modern Homebuyers, influencing where and how they choose to live.

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Bill Aims to Limit Mortgage Solicitation

Credit bureaus are fighting to scale back a proposed bill aimed at curbing mortgage trigger leads, which could significantly reduce unwanted solicitations for your clients. The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2024, part of the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act, seeks to protect consumers from receiving hundreds of unwanted calls, texts, and emails after a credit score is pulled for a mortgage application.

Under the original bill, all forms of solicitation would be banned unless authorized by the consumer. But now, consumer reporting companies, led by the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), are pushing for a compromise. They want to allow “written offers” via mail, email, or text from any company that receives mortgage lead data, while only restricting phone calls to the original mortgage lender or servicer.

The CDIA argues this approach will maintain consumer choice and competition in the mortgage market, but critics, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, warn that it still doesn’t go far enough in protecting consumers from harassment. With the bill facing uncertainty in Congress, the debate continues over how to balance privacy with consumer access to mortgage deals.

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Lennar Expands with Rausch Coleman Buy

In a move to grow its footprint, Lennar, the second-largest homebuilder in the U.S., has acquired Arkansas-based Rausch Coleman Homes, ranked 21st on the 2024 Builder 100 list. The acquisition, expected to close in Q1 of 2025, adds approximately 5,000 homes to Lennar’s delivery pipeline for 2024, with an average sales price of $230,000.

This deal expands Lennar’s operations into new markets in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kansas, and Missouri, while strengthening its existing presence in cities like Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Huntsville, and northwest Florida.

Lennar’s land-light strategy will see Rausch Coleman’s land assets transferred to a third party. This acquisition follows Lennar’s recent purchase of WCH Homes in Atlanta and supports its growth targets for 2025.

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