Home Price Increases Continue to Slowdown

By | General

The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices – considered the leading gauge of U.S. home prices – show increases continuing to slow. According to the most recent release, home prices rose 9.3 percent year-over-year, down from the 10.8 percent increase reported in the last release. David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones… Continued

July 30, 2014

Pending Sales Slip in June – Perfect Timing to Buy?

By | General

The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of contracts to buy homes that are signed each month. In June, the index dropped 1.1 percent, though it remains above 100 – which is considered an average level of contract activity. The decline follows three straight months of improvement. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s… Continued

July 29, 2014

Economic Forecast is Seeing Housing Gains Ahead

By | General

The first quarter of 2014 was the worst in five years, according to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group. That, combined with only a moderate pickup during the second quarter of the year, means economic growth was essentially flat for the entire first half of this year. But despite the slower than expected first… Continued

July 28, 2014

New Home Sales Fall In June

By | General

New estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show sales of new single-family homes fell 8.1 percent in June. The drop was the largest in a year and put new home sales 11.5 percent below last June’s levels. Following two consecutive months of improvement and an 18.6… Continued

July 25, 2014

Mortgage Rates are Mixed, but Demand is Rising

By | General

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances was unchanged last week from the week before. Mortgage rates on 30-year loans with jumbo balances and those backed by the Federal Housing Administration fell slightly, while the average rate on 15-year fixed-rate… Continued

July 24, 2014

Existing Home Sales Hit an 8 Month High

By | General

In June, sales of previously owned homes reached their fastest pace this year, climbing to a projected annual pace of 5 million sales for the first time since October 2013. The estimates, released by the National Association of Realtors, show existing-home sales up 2.6 percent from the month before and just 2.3 percent below year-before… Continued

July 23, 2014

Home Buyers Looking for More Than Just Location

By | General

Among today’s home buyers, nearly half would sacrifice location for desirable in-home features, according to a new survey from one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. The surprising survey results indicate that buyers are searching for move-in ready homes complete with key features and amenities and a significant number of them are willing to give up… Continued

July 22, 2014

Permits To Build New Single Family Homes On The Rise

By | General

Permits to build new single-family homes rose 2.6 percent In June, though overall permits were down 4.2 percent. The increase in authorizations to build new homes was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing report. The estimates, released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, showed housing starts down… Continued

July 21, 2014

Mortgage Rates Move Up Slightly, Demand Slows Down

By | General

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates rose slightly last week across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, 15 year fixed-rate loans, and mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration. But despite rates remaining low and relatively flat from the week before,… Continued

July 17, 2014