real estate

Mortgage rates down as inflation fears ease

admin_huliq — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:09:09 -0500

Mortgage interest rates dropped as fears of inflation eased. Adjustable rate mortgages were helped the most. The Fed’s aggressive posture and track record for action (i.e. Bear Stearns, liquidity injections, rate cuts), and led by stability of the dollar and tamer-than-expected inflation data all helped the cause.

Housing Starts Jump in April

admin_huliq — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:05:23 -0500

Builders picked up the building pace in April as the industry streaked past analyst estimates for new housing starts. Led mainly by the development of multi-family projects builders showed that they exist to do one thing - build. It's a good news as the housing starts rise unexpectedly. Could this be the bottom of the real estate crisis in the United State?

Realtors Return To Capitol Hill

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:06:11 -0500

As Realtors across the country gather today for the National Association of Realtors Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, they come committed to working with Congress and the administration to stimulate housing markets, improve access to affordable property insurance, and enact small business health care legislation.

Winthrop Realty Trust Rights Offering Oversubscribed

ruzik_tuzik — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:33:43 -0500

Winthrop Realty Trust (NYSE: FUR), announced the preliminary results of its rights offering to existing shareholders for the sale of up to 8,845,036 of its common shares of beneficial interest.

More Housing Numbers That Don't Tell Us What We Need to Know

admin_huliq — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:17:33 -0500

Every time I read one of these stories on housing price data, it takes me back to the required reading in my college political science statistics class:

Toll Brothers CEO Urges Buyers to Come Out of Woodwork

admin_huliq — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:24 -0500

Toll Brothers anticipated revenue declines of 30% for the quarter ended April 30th. Robert Toll, the luxury home builder's CEO stated that "The just-completed spring selling season was quite weak in most markets as buyers remain on the sidelines."

The housing crash continues

admin_huliq — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:54:51 -0500

More bad news for the housing market. According to CNNMoney:

The U.S. House of Representatives Passes American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act

jredz — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:24:39 -0500

The new act which was passed on May 8th, 2008 will help those facing foreclosure to refinance into an affordable FHA mortgage and help make homeownership more affordable for first time homebuyers.

More Home Buyers Searching Online, Realtors Need to Adapt

admin_huliq — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:55:23 -0500

The NY Times has a story today about MLS listings being posted on more Websites, like Zillow, and how real estate agents and brokers need to adapt. Hat tip to The Real Estate Bloggers.

Pending Home Sales Hit Record Low, Again

admin_huliq — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:50:24 -0500

Pending home sales hit a record low for the second consecutive month in March. March's reading was down 20.1% year-over-year and 35% from the index's peak in April 2005.

Buying house in 2006 its 50/50 you're underwater

admin_huliq — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:36:34 -0500

Zillow posted some interesting analysis today in which they claim that 50% of all home buyers who purchased a home in 2006 are now in a negative equity situation - underwater. That’s a mind-boggling stat don’t you think?

MBA's Agenda To Stabilizing US Housing Market

jredz — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:34:54 -0500

The MBA wants Congress to take action to help stabalize the US housing market by taking steps that make it more rewarding for 1st time homebuyers and passing more legislation to help current homeowners avoid foreclosure.