National News

Fannie Mae Research Points to Improved Housing Market

Fannie Mae bolstered its predictions for the U.S. housing market in its report from the latest Economic & Strategic Research Group. Housing, the report stated, showed considerable promise in the first quarter of 2012, growing at a rate that “substantially”

Is the FHA Fueling a New Housing Bubble?

The Federal Housing Administration has taken a big role in the tight-lending environment of the post-boom housing market, but has it been costly? That’s the argument of the Fiscal Times, which, in a piece analyzing the financing methods of

Foreclosure Activity Lowest in Five Years

Foreclosure filings, which encompass default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, were the lowest in April in five years, according to the latest data from RealtyTrac. The 188,780 filings for April were a 5 percent decline from March and a

Housing Inventory Stats Down 21 Percent From 2011

Inventory levels in the U.S. housing market are down 21 percent from last May, according to the newest statistics from Pro Teck Valuation Services. A real estate valuation firm based in Waltham, Mass., Pro Teck said many of the

Housing Starts Data Post Huge Yearly Increases

Housing starts for privately-owned homes rose by nearly 30 percent year-over-year in April, perhaps the strongest sign yet of a recovery in residential construction. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing

Housing Finance Up for Debate at NAR Symposium

Housing finance was the main feature of a multi-panel discussion at the Realtors Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington yesterday. Officially titled “Housing Policy in 2013: Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions,” the symposium featured a who’s who in

Houston Agent Among NAR’s “30 Under 30”

Today’s real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year’s Realtor Magazine “30 Under 30” honorees haven’t let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways

Builder Confidence At Highest Point Since 2007

Builder confidence hit its highest level in five years in the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) from the NAHB. A measure of confidence in the newly built, single-family home market, the HMI gained five

Realtor Income, Business Increased in 2011

After a few difficult years, the income and business of Realtors grew in 2011, according to the 2012 National Association of Realtors Member Profile. A survey of 58,823 NAR members that yielded 6,245 usable responses, the profile found the median

Is Green Homebuilding Transforming the Residential Market?

Green homes have been growing more popular with each passing year, and a new study by McGraw-Hill Construction has discovered exponential growth in the industry. According to its study, officially called “SmartMarket Report: New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming

Housing Affordability at 40-year High

Housing affordability has been trending upwards in the post-boom housing market, and according to analytics firm Fiserv, it’s now at a 40-year high. Utilizing data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fiserv studied 380 U.S. markets, and it found

NAHB Advocates Housing Financial Overhaul

NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg has become the latest proponent for housing finance reform, arguing in an op-ed for a comprehensive overhaul of the current system. “Our goal is to overhaul the housing finance system to ensure that housing credit

LPS Analytics Reports Higher Home Values in February

Lender Processing Services released its latest Home Price Index (HPI) late last week, reporting that home values increased for just the third time in five years. Covering the month of February, the HIP rose by 0.2 percent from January,

Shadow Inventory Housing Slowly Decreasing in 2012

A new study out by Standard & Poor’s is estimating it will take 46 months to clear out the nation’s supply of shadow inventory, one month less than predictions from 2011. Liquidation rates for the residential mortgage markets appeared

Builder Confidence Soars in 55+ Market

Builder confidence in the 55+ market posted big year-over-year gains in the first quarter, another sign of 2012 optimism in the construction industry. Overall, the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) increased 10 points to

Past Loans Still Impacting FHA Delinquency Rate

Another round of foreclosures and delinquencies has once again put the FHA’s finances under scrutiny, as the agency’s boom-era loans continue to haunt its books. According to the latest data from Lender Processing Services, lenders began foreclosure proceedings on

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