Finance & economics | Home run

Wall Street’s housing grab continues

As rising rates deter families from buying, being a rentier looks as appealing as ever

ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 16: A sign advertising a rental property on the 600 block of S 19th St. in Arlington, Virginia on Monday, November 16, 2020. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Spring weather often brings a stampede of homebuyers. Blossoming flowers and gushing sunlight after the winter slog make homes look more inviting. Not this year, though. Across the rich world house-hunters perturbed by high prices and rising rates are holding fire on mortgage applications. In America new home sales have crashed to two-year lows.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Home run”

China’s slowdown

From the May 28th 2022 edition

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