Trends

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Don’t Fret – Rising Mortgage Rates are NOT the End the World

Though some headlines on rising mortgage rates have bared apocalyptic overtones, the housing market has some room to spare on rate increases. Mortgage have ticked up in recent weeks, and already, the doomsday headlines (many of them broadcasting the

NAHB’s Improving Markets Index Expands to 263 Markets in June

The NAHB’s Improving Markets Index has grown by leaps and bounds in the last year, expanding by three-fold. The National Association of Homebuilders’ Improving Markets Index increased to 263 markets in June, with 29 new metropolitan markets, including Chicago,

Fannie Mae Study Finds that Renters Aspire to Homeownership

Fannie Mae finds that though renters are satisfied with their home arrangements, many still hope to achieve homeownership. Owning versus renting is one of the more common debates in real estate, and the latest research from Fannie Mae delved

What Would YOUR Client Compromise On?

Sad as it may be, the perfect home does not exist – what features would your clients be most willing to give up? It would be nice if we lived in a perfect world. Money would grow on trees;

Consumer Confidence on Housing Reaches All-Time High

Consumer sentiment towards the housing market reached an all-time high in the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey in May. May was a banner month for consumers and the housing market, according to Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey for the

The 5 Most Important Trends Right Now in Real Estate

The real estate market is influx, and we’ve got the five most important trends to look for as the market continues to recover. Last week, the National Association of Realtors released its latest Realtor Confidence Index, which reported that

Foreclosure Markets Show Considerable Progress in April

The U.S. foreclosure markets made impressive strides in April, with completed foreclosures and foreclosure inventory both showing progress. 1.1 million – that’s the number of homes in the U.S. that were in some stage of foreclosure in April 2013,

Asking Prices Soar 9.5 Percent in Trulia Price Monitor

Asking prices exceeded rents for the second month in a row in the Trulia Price Monitor, with prices up in 98 of the nation’s 100 largest metro areas. It was another banner month for asking prices in May, with

Realtor Confidence Soars in April to New Highs

Realtor Confidence has not only soared in 2013, but as of April, more than doubled from 2012. Home prices and home sales have been on the rise in 2013, and the latest analysis from the National Association of Realtors

The Resurrection of the McMansion

Were reports of the McMansion’s death greatly exaggerated? New Census Bureau data would seem to suggest so. The housing downturn negatively impacted just about ever aspect of the housing market, though there was one impact of the downturn in

CoreLogic Home Price Index Surprises with 12.1 Percent Jump in April

The CoreLogic Home Price Index surprised analysts with a stronger-than-expected, 12.1 percent hike in April, with even better numbers expected for May. The CoreLogic Home Price Index exceeded expectations again in April, with home prices leaping 12.1 percent year-over-year

Do Attractive Agents Perform Better Than the Rest?

A new study from Middle Tennessee State University finds that yes, attractive real estate agents DO perform better than their less-attractive counterparts. The classic phrase may go that beauty is only skin deep, but new research finds that “skin

Zombie Foreclosures & Boomerang Buyers: Latest Real Estate Trends?

Does new foreclosure slang fit in with the latest real estate trends? We’ve heard of “short sales,” “shadow sales” and “cure rate.” Now, two other phrases have been used to describe some of today’s real estate trends: “zombie foreclosures”

April Construction Spending Up 4.3 Percent

Construction spending in April rose 4.3 percent from the year before, though residential construction was a bit more tepid by comparison. April was another solid month for construction spending in the U.S. economy, with overall construction spending for the

Has Housing Inventory Finally Bottomed?

Housing inventory has fallen precipitously the last couple years, but has it finally bottom now in 2013? It’s the question on everyone’s mind nowadays – when will housing inventory finally stop falling? Indeed, low housing inventory levels have wreaked

How Quickly are Homes Going Under Contract in Houston?

With demand high and supply low, homes are pending at an alarmingly quick rate nationwide; but what’s the scenario like in Houston? It’s a classic case of supply and demand: demand for homes, on account of record low interest

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