Construction Spending Rises for 5th Straight Month. The worst year for home building on record was 2011, but the year ended with a surge in construction spending, as the new-home sector heads into 2012 on a brighter note. For the fifth straight month, builders spent more on homes and projects, the Commerce Department reported …
Tag: News
Feb 02
Home Ownership Rate Drops to 1997-Levels
Home Ownership Rate Drops to 1997-Levels. The home ownership rate took another dip in the fourth quarter of 2011, falling for the seventh year in a row as fewer Americans own their homes. The home ownership rate now stands at 66 percent, a level that hasn’t been reached since 1997, the U.S. Census Bureau reported …
Feb 01
With The Superbowl this week, here are some Football Stars Homes.
NFL Stars Score With Super-Size Homes The NFL regular season is in the books. The AFC and NFC title games are done. Now it’s up to the New England Patriots and New York Giants to whip the country into a lather when these two Northeast teams head for the ultimate NFL showdown. Super Bowl XLVI …
Feb 01
Who Needs Super Bowl Tix When You’ve Got a Man Cave?
Who Needs Super Bowl Tix When You’ve Got a Man Cave? It may sound like a football fan’s dream to attend a Super Bowl game live and in person. But really? Indianapolis? In February? Unless you are a rabid fan of the New York Giants or the New England Patriots — the conference champs who …
Jan 31
Obama Extends Foreclosure Prevention Program Aid
Obama Extends Foreclosure Prevention Program Aid, The Obama administration will be expanding eligibility requirements for its foreclosure prevention program, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), to help more struggling home owners participate. The program will expand its eligibility requirements for those who may qualify for a loan modification, including how the debt ratio of mortgage …
Jan 31
Why Have Banks Really Tightened Lending Standards?
Why Have Banks Really Tightened Lending Standards? Home ownership affordability is at a record high due to low home prices and all-time low mortgage rates. But housing experts have blamed banks’ tightened lending standards for keeping more buyers on the sidelines because they are unable to qualify for financing. Lending standards increased sharply after the …
Jan 27
First-Time Buyers More Willing to Compromise
First-Time Buyers More Willing to Compromise. When it comes to space and upgrades, first-time home buyers are more willing to compromise than repeat buyers, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2011 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.” While they have big wish lists too, first-time buyers seem to be most driven by finding a …
Jan 26
Fed Vows to Keep Rates Low Until 2014
Fed Vows to Keep Rates Low Until 2014 The Federal Reserve announced that short-term interest rates will likely stay near zero for nearly three more years, a move that is expected to spillover to long-term mortgage rates for home buyers and home owners. In August, the Fed had made a rare move to say it …
Jan 25
FHA May Ease Seller Concession Cap
FHA May Ease Seller Concession Cap Many in the real estate industry were concerned that a change announced last year to the maximum seller contributions allowed for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans could cause more deals to fall apart. The FHA announced last year that it would cut seller contributions from 6 percent to 3 percent …
Jan 24
Marple ( Broomall PA ) Welcomes Home Marine Anthony Procaccio
Members of the community in ( Broomall PA ) gave local marine Anthony Procaccio a proper “hero’s welcome” with an escorted motorcade from the Philadelphia airport to his home in ( Broomall PA ) on Jan. 20. ( Broomall PA )–After eight months of deployment in Afghanistan, local Marine Cpl. Anthony Procaccio, 23, returned back home, at …
Jan 23
EV Charging Station Opens to Public in Media, PA
EV Charging Station Opens to Public in Media, PA. MEDIA, PA (January 18, 2012) – Media’s first electric vehicle charging station opened to the public today at 11 S. Jackson Street, in the parking lot in back of the Media Firehouse. Media Borough is a friendly suburb of Philadelphia with a tree lined main street …
Jan 20
Winter Home Maintenance
Winterize Home Maintenance It may be cold outside, but it’s no time hibernate when it comes to home maintenance. Have you ever wondered how some friends or neighbors live in older homes that are still in good working order? This isn’t just a lucky coincidence. Houses require careful attention, especially in the Winter, in order …
