Dec 24
‘Naughtiest, Nicest Housing Market’ List Researchers have been checking their lists, trying to find out which housing markets have been naughty or nice this year. RealtyTrac analyzed 334 U.S. cities with populations of at least 100,000 to compile lists of the nicest — those markets with some of the lowest crime rates and foreclosures, highest …
Dec 23
Home Sales Lost Momentum in November Existing-home sales fell last month as housing supply showed signs of tightening, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest housing report. Sales activity was choppy throughout the country, with all regions posting declines compared to a month earlier, NAR noted. “Fewer people bought homes last month despite interest …
Dec 22
Home Buying Gets Cheaper This Week The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage this week dipped to its lowest level in more than a year, bringing borrowing costs down for home buyers and refinancers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the most popular loan among home buyers, averaged 3.80 percent this week, meaning that it has remained below 4 …
Dec 18
The Laptop-Powered Home? Research conducted by an IBM team may help keep discarded computer batteries out of landfills and give them a second life lighting homes. A study based in India found that by taking apart used batteries, verifying and using working cells, and adding circuitry to allow charging and prevent overheating, they could …
Dec 17
8 Things People Say Their Homes Don’t Have The majority of Americans say they are living in less-than-ideal housing and neighborhoods. The Demand Institute recently polled more than 10,000 households — both renters and home owners — across income levels to find their top unfulfilled housing needs and desires. “The biggest overarching thing is …
Dec 16
Americans Are 40% Poorer Today The net worth of American families has plunged 40 percent since 2007, right before the financial crisis struck, dipping to an average of $81,400 per household, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. That’s down from $135,700 in 2007. Pew measures net worth as the difference between …
Dec 15
Stage Set to Revive First-Time Buyer Market The move by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac this week to offer 3 percent down payment loans may reignite the first-time home buyer market. Prior to this week’s announcement, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued loans with a minimum of a 5 percent down payment—however, the standard …
Dec 12
Owners, Appraisers Getting on the Same Page The discrepancy between appraisers’ and home owners’ opinions of home values is narrowing. In November, appraisers valued homes 1.56 percent higher than home owners, according to Quicken Loans’ Home Price Perception Index. “Mortgage financing often hinges on whether the appraised value coincides with the home values agreed upon …
Dec 10
Renters Want to Own But Can’t Though renters say they dream of owning a home one day, most of them will need to keep renting for at least the next three years, according to a new survey of more than 2,000 adults conducted by Freddie Mac. The majority of renters say they are still struggling …
Dec 09
Getting a Mortgage Isn’t Impossible Many potential home buyers are so leery about qualifying for a mortgage that they say they’re not going to even try. Nearly 60 percent of potential home buyers say they want to purchase a home but they aren’t pursuing it because they believe their mortgage application would be rejected, according …
Dec 08
70% Unaware of Down-Payment Assistance Seventy percent of adults in the U.S. say they’re unfamiliar with down-payment assistance programs for middle-income home buyers in their community, according to a NeighborWorks America survey of 1,000 people. But plenty of help is available. NeighborWorks organizations provided 6,000 buyers with more than $100 million in down-payment assistance last …
Dec 05
2015: Year of the First-Time Home Buyer First-time home buyers are expected to re-emerge in the new year after mostly staying out of the market in the aftermath of the housing crisis. That’s one of realtor.com®’s five top housing predictions for 2015. “The residual financial effects of recession-driven job losses and subsequent unemployment have …
