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Housing Starts Now Nearly 30 Percent Above Last Year
The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show construction of new homes gaining ground in August. According to the report, housing starts rose 2.3 percent above July's estimate of 733,000 and are 29.1 percent...
Average Mortgage Rates Fall To New Survey Low
The Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Application Survey covers more than 75 percent of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications. Last week, the report found average mortgage rates at the lowest level they've been since the survey began in 1990....
Existing Home Sales Surge In August
Sales of previously owned homes spiked 7.8 percent in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales, which include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.82...
Builder Confidence Rises To Highest Level Since 2006
The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index measures builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes. The monthly survey asks builders for their perceptions of the current market, traffic of prospective buyers, and expectations...
Homeownership More Affordable Than Rent In Nation’s Largest Metros
After comparing the cost of renting to the price of homeownership, Trulia's Summer 2012 Rent vs. Buy Report determined that buying a home is more affordable than renting in America's 100 largest metropolitan areas. Closing costs, maintenance, insurance, and property...
Housing Affordability Rises Despite Price Increases
Recent home price reports show housing values are rising across the country. But, though price increases are good news for the economy and homeownership, they will typically have a negative affect on affordability conditions. According to the National Association of...
Confidence In Economy Shows Signs Of Improvement
Last week, economic confidence experienced its greatest one-week improvement since Gallup began daily tracking in January 2008. Gallup's index posted an 11-point spike in confidence, nearing a high for the year and ending an extended period where the index reflected...
Mortgage Loan Application Volume Surges
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Application Survey, demand for mortgage loans surged last week from the week before. The Market Composite Index, which measures both refinance and purchase activity, was up 11.1 percent due to a 12 percent...
September Improving Markets Index Adds 19 Metros
The National Association of Home Builders Improving Markets Index lists metropolitan areas that have shown six consecutive months of improvement in housing permits, employment, and home prices. In September, the index reached a total of 99, up 19 over August's total...
Americans Positive About Housing Despite Economic Uncertainty
The results of Fannie Mae's August 2012 National Housing Survey show Americans are uncertain about the direction of the economy but are optimistic about the housing market. According to the latest survey, which polled 1,001 Americans to assesses their attitudes toward...