by Jim Crowder | Nov 3, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
by Jim Crowder | Nov 2, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
by Jim Crowder | Nov 1, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
by Jim Crowder | Oct 31, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
by Jim Crowder | Oct 28, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
by Jim Crowder | Oct 27, 2011 | HOUSING MARKET
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...
