Single-Family Housing Starts Rise The U.S. Commerce Department recently released statistics that reinforce the impact of the favorable conditions that currently exist for homebuyers. Single-family housing starts rose for a second consecutive month in April, posting a 2.8 percent gain for the month. In addition, issuance of single-family permits, which can be an indicator of [...]

This week brought many signs that the economy and the real estate market may be recovering from recession. Positive trends were reported in real estate, retail and consumer confidence. In addition, a report on Friday showed that the pace of job losses slowed in April, as employers shed fewer jobs than in previous months. This [...]

Housing moves the market – up U.S. pending home sales rose more than forecast, and construction spending rose after five straight declines. By Tim Paradis and Sara Lepro Associated Press NEW YORK – The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up for the year. And for once, it was the housing market that sent stocks [...]

The news this week has been filled with increasing evidence that the housing market, and economy in general, may be stabilizing. On a local level, we are seeing a renewed interest in real estate. For example, the average attendance at Weichert Open Houses recently hit its highest level since March 2007. Both homebuyers and sellers [...]

More great news for homebuyers was released this week. On Tuesday, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that its Housing Affordability Index (HAI) rose 13.6% in January to 166.8, a new record high. In fact, the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income is the most favorable since tracking began in 1970. [...]

  17 February 2009 Details of the credit should appear early next week.  There have been some reports printed and this gives an overview of what has been outlined. FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CREDIT:  First time home buyers are eligible for a refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price of their home [...]

The federal Government has passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act for first time home buyers. This plan gives a helping hand to first time home buyers if they choose to use it. With interest rates low and inventory high the government is hoping that this plan will coax some first time home buyers off [...]