A recent Clear Capital (www.ClearCapital.com) report touches upon what the industry is referring to as housing’s “lost decade,” the time from 2004 to 2014, where national home prices have been nominally unchanged. The Home Data Index™ (HDI) Market Report, which publishes the most granular home data and analysis earlier than nearly any other index provider in the industry, noted that …
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for July 2014 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 2 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. By product type, conventional loans composed 68.8 percent of loan applications, FHA loans composed 16.1 percent, RHS/USDA loans composed 1.5 …
Fewer first-time homebuyers are finding a way to buy a house with a relatively low down payment as their options shrink and lenders’ down payment requirements rise. From April through June 2014, about 67 percent of first-time buyers made a down payment of 6 percent or less, down from 74 percent in 2009, according to the latest Realtor Confidence Index …
After a slow start this year, home sales are predicted to play catch up for the remainder of 2014, according to the Freddie Mac U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for July. The report showed mixed data results for the housing recovery as we head into the second half of the year. While sales are predicted to improve, home sales …
Do you want beautiful outdoor areas for your home? With a county garden, you can achieve a really attractive and serene look, while increasing the value of your home. A natural look hardly needing any trim, country gardens feature a bunch of flowers and shrubs that require little maintenance. We talked to some of the experts and here is what …
Mortgage rates are low; home prices are increasing at a slower pace, the job market is strengthening. So many positive indicators, but still there not enough buyers around. The monthly sales figures are much less than last year. Why? Because homes are still unaffordable, especially for an average buyer. The chief economist of a reputed real estate website told the …
It is often said that there is never a perfect time to sell your house. Each season can be marked with different challenges and difficulties that sellers should keep in mind. Families with children tend to look for a home during the summer months, when there is no conflict of missing school or other obligations during a move. On the …
Home prices may be on the rise, but America still has quite a few affordable homes. First time home buyers will want to lay their hands on them, but there is just one problem. These homes are not on the market as yet and will not be for some time. Why? The current owners of these homes have negative equity …
Do you want to place your house on the market this year? Indeed, this is a buyer’s market, and you do have an edge. What plans do you have with regards to pricing? Is higher than the market value what you are going to demand? That is what most sellers are doing right now which has created bidding wars on …
