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Housing Data Finds Return To Long Term Averages
In a post for Standard & Poor's Housing Views blog, David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices, writes that an analysis of the most recent Case-Shiller price index and data from the Census Bureau shows that the rent:buy ratio has returned to...
Renewed Focus On Housing Hopes To Ignite Recovery
The housing market is a key driver of the broader economy and is typically at the forefront of any economic recovery. A healthy housing market creates jobs and spurs consumer spending, which is why there has been renewed focus on healing housing from the Federal...
October Housing Scorecard Compiles Key Recovery Data
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of the Treasury released their October 2011 Housing Scorecard, which compiles key market data and the results of the administration's recovery efforts though the end of September. Among the...
Census Says Homeownership Rate On The Rise
Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows homeownership rose between the second and third quarter of this year, increasing to 66.3 percent from 65.9 percent the previous quarter. Homeownership peaked in 2004 at nearly 70 percent, though it stayed between 64 and 65...
Mortgage Rates Drop To 4.31 Percent
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 4.31 percent last week from 4.33 percent the week before. The average 30-year rate for jumbo loans increased to 4.69...
Analysis Sees Help For Hardest Hit Markets In New Gov’t Plan
An analysis of the government's revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program expects it to be helpful in the hardest hit housing markets, while doing little to address the shadow inventory or number of distressed borrowers. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic,...
Homebuyers Optimistic About Housing Prices
A poll of prospective homebuyers found 42 percent believe home prices typically appreciate by 7 percent a year. The survey, which assessed prospective buyers' knowledge of the home purchase process, shows continued optimism despite recent volatility in the housing...
Pending Sales 6.4 Percent Above Last Year
According to The National Association of Realtors, pending home sales, which reflect signed contracts and not closings, fell 4.6 percent in September, though they remain higher than a year ago. Compared to September 2010, pending sales are up 6.4 percent. Lawrence...
New Home Sales Rise At Fastest Pace Since March
The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's New Residential Sales report for September shows sales of new single-family homes rose 5.7 percent above August's estimate to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 313,000. The increase was...
Mortgage Demand Increases, Rates Unchanged
According to The Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances was unchanged last week at 4.33 percent. The average 30-year rate on jumbo loans increased...