News / Features
With the end of the shuttle area comes an increase in layoffs. Thousands are expected to loose their jobs as NASA’s space shuttle program comes to a close, and the layoffs are creating a cloud of uncertainty over an
Earlier this year, Federal Housing Association (FHA) seemed to be in a steep hole when it came to the REO inventory. However, a recent report shows that FHA has sold a record number of REO in June, breaking the
The Market Composite Index shows that the measure of mortgage loan application volume has increased 7.1 percent this week, while similar numbers have moved up and down. According to Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly applications survey for the week ending
More homebuyers are understanding the importance of green building features and studies show that green-certified homes are worth more than non-certified homes in the housing market. One analysis from the Earth Advantage Institute found that on average green-certified buildings
Plans for Winfield Gate, a community of luxury homes, are back in motion for an assemblage of property fronting San Felipe, just East of Kirby Drive. The plans had been put on hold during the economic
After weeks of debate over the debt ceiling, Sunday night the compromise deal was agreed upon and the emergency legislation passed in the Senate this morning, 74 to
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act have paved the way for an increase in the required down payment for mortgages, however, many analysts and industry professionals are criticizing this
According to New Geography, approximately 64 percent of Millennials–those born between 1982-2003–are focused on the importance of owning a home, with 20 percent saying it is one of the most important priorities in life, followed by being a good
On Saturday August 13, HGTV is inviting Houston fans to become a part of the production and voting process for their new TV series, “Showhouse Showdown.” Fans can attend the open house competition, which will be held 11-1 p.m.
According to Agent Genius, seller satisfaction rose 4.9 percent with brokerages since 2010, but buyer satisfaction dropped slightly, as tracked by J.D. Power and Associates’ fourth annual Home Buyer/Seller
Whitestone REIT is the newest addition to the Russell 3000 Index and Russell 2000
Investors from Israel purchased $1.15 billion worth of U.S. properties, with Houston being the most bought market, according to a recent survey conducted by Bregman Baraz Real Estate. The survey was conducted regarding U.S. real estate investments from foreign
RealtyTrac’s Midyear 2011 Metropolitan Foreclosure Market Report studied 211 metropolitan areas, finding that foreclosure activity through June dropped on a year-over-year basis in 84 percent, or 178, of the areas. In addition, the report found that the top ten
This June, NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index rose 2.4 percent to 90.9 – an increase over last month as well as a 19.8 percent increase over June 2010, according to Calculated Risk. However, Fannie Mae is skeptical as to
The National Association of Realtors, along with everyone else, would like to save the housing market. According to the Chicago Tribune, these are their ideas for fixing the industry: creating safe mortgage financing for qualified borrowers, revising underwriting standards,
Home equity decreased across all racial groups in 2009: whites’ average home equity fell to $95,000; in 2005, a white’s home equity was $115,364 on average; blacks’ home equity fell to $59,000 in 2009, creating an equity loss of
