Blog
Fixed Mortgage Rates Show Slight Increase
According to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, 35-year fixed mortgages increased from 3.35% to 3.42% this week. The housing market is gaining more strength as it marches further into 2013 with low mortgage rates, more home sales, and construction starts and completions on...
Jobless Claims Decrease By 4,000 Filings
According to the United States Labor Department, the number of reported jobless claims filed by workers averaged around 323,000 claims last week, the lowest level seen since 2008. Unemployment claims have steadily dropped over the last few weeks, and the four-week...
Mortgage Delinquencies Fall 21%
More Americans are able to pay their mortgages as home values are on the rise and job creation grows. According to TransUnion, a credit reporting agency, individuals falling two months behind or more on their mortgages have dropped approximately 21% from this time...
Housing Market Aids Truck And SUV Sales
Official auto sales forecasts look positive. SUV and truck sales are increasing as fuel prices begin to drop and housing sales continue to contribute to the U.S. economy. According to experts, many companies, large and small, as well as contractors and subcontractors...
Problem Loans Drop To Less Than 1%
According to the latest report from Lender Processing Services, problematic loans in the United States have fallen to less than 1%, the lowest percentage seen since mid-2007. New problem-loans in March 2013, hit around 0.84%, dropping to pre-crisis levels. The report...
Many First-Time Homebuyers Experience Stress
A recent study called the Psychology of House Hunting shows that 80% of first time homebuyers tend to know if a house is right for them when they take their first steps into the home. On average, first time homebuyers view 10 homes before making the decision to buy....
Housing Market Confidence Continues To Rise
Confidence in the housing market has reached levels not seen in years. 37% of homeowners are confident that their home value will continue to grow over the next year while 58% of homeowners believe their homes are currently worth more than when they purchased them,...
Mortgage Activity Increases
Home mortgage applications in the United States increased last week. The Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, an index including home purchase demand and refinancing, climbed 1.8% while the MBA'S seasonally...
Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Report Expects Prices To Rise
The Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller 20-city index showed the largest price gain in approximately seven years increasing by 9.3% from this time last year. The report states that home prices are expected to continue to increase due to lower foreclosure rates, higher...
Pending Home Sales Higher Than Last Year’s Levels
Pending home sales soared above last year's levels in March, making it the 23rd consecutive month that has exceeded levels seen one year ago from the date, according to the National Association of Realtors. The National Association of Realtors pending home sales...