News / Features

Fannie & Freddie Announce New Remedy for Underwater Homeowners

Everywhere you look nowadays, the housing market is showing improvement. Home prices are increasing, home sales and housing inventory are stabilizing and even homebuilding is beginning to pick up. Yet, amidst all those signs of recovery, one sign of

"Spillover Effect" Potent As Ever As Housing Market Recovers

The housing market’s effect on the general economy – or, the “spillover effect,” as its called by some – is often the trump card among housing analysts when debating the merit of real estate, the fact that though a

How Did the Realtor Party Perform in 2012?

The Realtor Party was something new from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Though the famously democratic group was already one of the most active lobbying groups in the U.S., the Realtor Party made the association’s political influence official,

Pending Home Sales Index Jumps 6.9 Percent in December

The Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), one of the best indicators in housing for future home sales, posted strong numbers in December, increasing 6.9 percent year-over-year in

CFPB Compensation Rules Shift Mortgage Broker Direction

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) topped off a week of mortgage rule rollouts by launching the agency’s guidelines for loan officer and broker compensation Friday. Among other provisions, the CFPB’s final rule keeps originators from steering borrowers into

Housing Affordability High, But Qualifying for a Mortgage Still Tough

According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Housing Affordability Index, 2012 fared well compared to previous years. The trade group made an important distinction, noting that though the affordability conditions mark “a great year for buyers who could

Tighter Inventory, Underwriting Squeeze Existing-Home Sales

Existing-homes sales eased in December, while limited inventory maintained the upward momentum in home prices. Total existing-home sales declined 1.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.94 million in December from a downwardly revised 4.99 million in

Home Values Rose 5.9 Percent in 2012

According to the fourth quarter Zillow Home Value Index, home values rose 5.9 percent in 2012 to $157,400, and 2.5 percent from the third quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of home values rising. Zillow forecasts home values will

Sellers Continue to Hang Tight in Redfin Real-Time Seller Survey

Home sellers, though increasingly confident with the real estate market, are continuing to hang tight and wait for further improvements to the real estate market before listing their properties, according to the latest Real-Time Seller Survey from

MRED CEO Bergeron Retains Spot on Inman News Honor Roll

At last week’s Inman Real Estate Connect in New York City, it was announced that Russ Bergeron, Chief Executive Officer of Midwest Real Estate Data LLC (MRED), has again been selected as one of the top 100 most influential

New Single-Family Home Sales Increased 19.9 Percent in 2012

New single-family home sales in 2012 increased 19.9 percent over 2011, as the homebuilding market concluded its most productive year of business in some time. According to the latest Census Bureau figures, new single-family home sales were also up

Purchase Activity Back to 2010 Levels in MBA Mortgage Survey

The Purchase Index of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Mortgage Applications Survey, which measures purchase activity in the nation’s mortgage markets, increased 3 percent last week from the week before and 26 percent year-over-year, hitting its highest level

Fannie Mae: Housing Market on 'Firm Footing'

Rebounding home prices, record low mortgage rates and strong home sales are just some of many positive factors in the housing market heading into 2013, according to the latest Economic and Strategic Research report from Fannie

American Housing Survey Provides Fascinating Glimpse at New-Home Shoppers

The American Housing Survey is conducted every two years by the U.S. Census Bureau, and every time the agency releases it they unleash a bevy of fascinating statistics regarding how the buyers of newly-built single-family homes differ from the

What Will Happen with Housing Inventory in 2013?

Yesterday’s existing-home sales report from the National Association of Realtors’ made two points perfectly clear: one, that existing-home sales are showing promising trends for 2013; and two, that housing inventory has fallen just about as low as it possibly

Fitch Analysis: Housing will be Economic Boon in 2013

The housing market will contribute positively to the U.S. economy in 2013, with single-family housing starts climbing 18 percent, new home sales rising 22 percent, and finally, existing-home sales increasing 7 percent, according to an optimistic report by Fitch

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