Posts Tagged ‘real estate news’

Existing home sales skyrocketed 10% in October

Posted on November 23rd, 2009, by DHW

From the AP:
“Home sales far exceeded expectations last month, surging to the highest level in 2 1/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.
The National Association of Realtors said Monday that home resales rose 10.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million in October, from a [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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I’ll miss you most of all, zero percent kitchen

Posted on November 16th, 2009, by DHW

Zero percent kitchen: n. a kitchen remodeled at the height of the real estate and credit bubble, between 2001 and 2006, featuring high-end details such as granite or Corian countertops; designer cabinets; stainless steel appliances and upgraded flooring (e.g. hardwood or travertine tile). Improvements were paid for with zero percent financing programs originated at home improvement [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Commercial loan activity down 54%

Posted on November 14th, 2009, by DHW

Recovery of the commercial real estate market remains in question as the Moody’s commercial property index dropped 3 percent in October. The index is down over 32 percent from a year ago and over 40 percent from two years ago.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported loan activity for commercial and multifamily real estate fell 54 percent in [...]

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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 [...]

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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?
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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
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