National Real Estate Blog

The Census Bureau reported that the US homeownership rate fell from 67.1% to 66.4% the first quarter in an annual comparison. This rate is lowest that has been seen in over a decade. The midwest saw the highest rate, followed by the south, the Northeast and the west. According to reports, Americans [Read More]

Pending home sales jumped again in March by 5.1%, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The Pending Homes Sales Index (PHSI) is a brief glance into the future of real estate based on the amount of contracts that were signed, not closings. Closings normally occur within a month or [Read More]

Several of the hard hit real estate market areas are on the road to recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).Areas such as the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area, which was once one of the worst hit areas, has now become the third most searched market in the first thre [Read More]

Applications for the 12th Annual REALTOR Magazine Good Neighbor Awards are now being accepted by The National Association of Realtors (NAR). The awards serve to recognize realtors for their "dedication to volunteer service". The November issue of REALTOR Magazine will announce 5 winners to be recogn [Read More]

Although the pending home sales declined again in January, they still remain 20.6% above the low in June of last year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).The Pending Home Sales Index is a indicator of the future of the real estate market. The data collected for the Pending Home [Read More]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has implemented new rules that could have an impact on short sale transactions. These rules, also known as the MARS rules (Mortgage Assistance Relief Services), could require disclosures to potential home buyers that are negotiating a short sale or advertise short [Read More]

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), for-sale-by-owners (FSBO) have dropped to the lowest level seen over the last year. FSBO sellers only make up 11% of the market, down 2% since 2009. Real estate transactions are becoming more complex and in some cases too difficult for an unre [Read More]

When the Obama Administration announced its $3.7 trillion budget request, the Treasury yields took a small dip. As mortgage rates are so closely tied in with long term Treasury Bonds the rates dipped as well.Rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage fell this week to 5%, according to mortgage giant, Fr [Read More]

As Treasury bond yields continue to increase so do the average mortgage rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. The rates rose this week to 4.81% from 4.80% last week, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac. The rates have continued to rise after hitting a low of 4.17 in November, which marked the [Read More]

Lenders modified 1.76 million permanent loans for homeowners in 2010 thanks to lender in-house policies as well as the federal government's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).It still remains unclear how many of the in-house modifications received are still current, however 1 out of every 5 [Read More]