Archive for the ‘Housing Article’ Category

Minutes show Federal Reserve still concerned with housing

Posted on January 6th, 2010, by DHW

ABC News reported Wednesday that some Federal Reserve officials worry the housing recovery could be interrupted when the government’s purchase of $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities winds down by the end of March.
“Some participants … noted the risk that improvements in the housing sector might be undercut next year as the Federal Reserve’s purchases of [...]

Tags: , , , ,

Stevens: FHA sublime, not subprime

Posted on November 16th, 2009, by DHW

During a speech to the National Association of Realtors in San Diego, FHA Commissioner David Stevens said his agency is not headed for the same fate as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the subprime sector. Concerns about the FHA’s financial well being were raised last week when it was revealed in an independent audit that [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cities leading the country in price reductions

Posted on November 16th, 2009, by DHW

As any good Realtor will tell you, price moves a home. But sometimes Realtors (as well as sellers) are afraid to take their own advice. As housing evaluations have dropped around the country, listing prices have been slow to follow. To get the job done, and your home sold, a price reduction might be in [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The South will rise again, but in a good way.

Posted on November 16th, 2009, by DHW

A survey released last week by Move.com, a real estate website, shows 1 in 5 Americans plan on purchasing a home within the next year. The survey also revealed these buyers are most likely to be 34 years of age or younger and live in the South or West.
It should be noted this survey was [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Will expanding the housing tax credits beyond first time homebuyers contribute to housing inventory woes?

Posted on November 15th, 2009, by DHW

The Capital published an intriguing article addressing the potential side-effects of expanding the housing tax credits beyond first time homebuyers. The article raises some fair questions with regard to existing homes needing to be liquidated so that current homeowners can take advantage of the housing tax credits now afforded to them. The Capital article focuses on [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Realtors forecast uptick in home prices 2010

Posted on November 14th, 2009, by DHW

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, predicted on Friday that home prices will rise in 2010. If his prediction holds true, home prices will see their first increase in four years.
Yun pointed to the current price-income ratio of 2.4 as evidence of pent-up demand in the market. The price-income ratio accelerated [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Consumer sentiment takes unexpected plunge

Posted on November 13th, 2009, by DHW

Despite a drop in jobless claims and and a bullish stock market, the Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers reports its consumer sentiment index for November plunged to 66 from 70.6 in October. Some had expected the November preliminary sentiment index to rise.
DHW asks: Do you agree with the sentiment index?
Share on Facebook

Tags: , , , , , ,

Audit: FHA’s reserve funds way below what law requires

Posted on November 12th, 2009, by DHW

From The Washington Post : ‘FHA’s cash reserves have dropped well below amount required by law, audit shows’
DHW asks: Do you think the FHA’s reserves will hit zero?
FHA loan limits in your area
Share on Facebook

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Foreclosures down but not out

Posted on November 12th, 2009, by DHW

U.S. foreclosures sank for a third consecutive month in October, down 3% from the previous month. However, many feel this trend will not continue. Foreclosure notices were curtailed in many states due to temporary, legislative intervention. CNBC reported Nevada foreclosures “dropped 26 percent from the previous month because of new legislation requiring mediation before initiating [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Realogy CEO just doesn’t get it.

Posted on November 11th, 2009, by DHW

In a CNBC interview this morning, Realogy CEO, Richard Smith, called on FHA to increase its minimum required down payment of 3.5%. Mr Smith suggested the ‘risk profile’ will have to change to stave off foreclosures. This argument only perpetuates the myth that those who put less money down are somehow less attached to their [...]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,