By Mike Colpitts Ushered in by near record low mortgage rates, evidence of a pick up in home buying is beginning to develop as the annual spring home buying season turns into high gear, with an increase in home purchase applications for mortgages, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The announcement is good news for… Continue reading Home Buying Picks Up
Category: Buying
Mortgage Rates Drip Lower
By Ryan Jackson Borrowing rates for consumers shopping to refinance homes or buy another property just saw a small drop lower to reach 3.98% on a fixed 30-year loan, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage rates on most other leading categories also fell modestly. The fixed 15-year mortgage averaged 3.21%, a decline of just two basis… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Drip Lower
Mortgage Rates Forecast Higher
By Ryan Jackson The improving U.S. economy is forecast to push mortgage rates higher, driving the cost of home loans much higher before the end of 2012, according to a consensus of economists. The analysis was part of the Urban Land Institute’s survey released for 2012 through 2014. Economists expect inflation as measured by the… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Forecast Higher
Cash Buyers Pushing Home Prices Lower
By Mike Colpitts Cash buyers are putting undue downward pressure on home prices, and sending the values on homes much lower than would otherwise be developing, according to a survey by Campbell Inside Mortgage Finance. The firms Housing Pulse Tracking Survey is taken monthly. The December survey also showed that many of the purchasers are… Continue reading Cash Buyers Pushing Home Prices Lower
Selling LA Renewed for Second Season
By Kevin Chiu Selling LA, a TV show featuring luxury estates throughout the richest areas of Los Angeles has been renewed for a second season on Home and Garden Television. Real estate broker Valerie Fitzgerald, the star of the dazzling show will be joined by other members of her team as the weekly show shines… Continue reading Selling LA Renewed for Second Season
Owner Financing Breaks Into Fashion
By Mike Colpitts Owner financing is making a comeback in the housing market as homeowners look for ways to sell their homes in the sluggish economy. Selling a home with an owner carrying the mortgage was hardly heard of during the housing boom, but it’s returned out of necessity as more owners explore alternative ways… Continue reading Owner Financing Breaks Into Fashion
Homeowners Opt to Buy Appraisals
By Mike Colpitts Homeowners are buying independent appraisals as they prepare to place their homes on the market for sale in growing numbers, attempting to determine the real value of their homes. The move is growing momentum as transactions on existing home sales fail at increasing rates. One out of three sales contracted during the… Continue reading Homeowners Opt to Buy Appraisals
Buying a Home Again After Foreclosure
By Scott J. Clifford Real Estate Attorney Losing a house to foreclosure can create a feeling of home buying despondency, rooted in a belief that banks will easily say no to someone who has failed to successfully pay their mortgage payments. Yet if this were truly the case, the housing market would be even worse… Continue reading Buying a Home Again After Foreclosure
Miami May Set Real Estate Sales Record
By Kevin Chiu As one of the most battered real estate markets in the U.S. few would think Miami was in any position to be setting records. But the sale of homes, townhouses and condominiums is on pace to set a new record for the year in the Florida market, according to the Miami Realtors… Continue reading Miami May Set Real Estate Sales Record
Home Sales Slide, But Above Year Ago Levels
By Mike Colpitts Homes sales slipped in September following a gain the previous month, but remained ahead of a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. The slide in sales represented only a small 3% decrease. Existing home sales, which include the sale of single family homes, townhouses and condominiums, reached an adjusted… Continue reading Home Sales Slide, But Above Year Ago Levels