Category: Statistics

Foreclosures Maintain Record Rate

Foreclosure filings fell less than one percent in August from the record high foreclosure rate in July, according to the monthly RealtyTrac foreclosure report. Some 358,471 properties had filings, keeping activity 18% above a year ago. One in every 357 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing during the month. After hitting a high for the… Continue reading Foreclosures Maintain Record Rate

Pop Goes the Housing Market

By John Hines Economist Bankers won’t tell you, but bankers are almost always motivated home sellers. They don’t become bankers to be landlords. The U.S. mortgage market is worth $10-billion in profits each year, and the people who peddle money like a pharmacist dispenses pills can make a lot more money making loans. The direction… Continue reading Pop Goes the Housing Market

Housing Affordability Hits New Highs

  The two oldest indexes on housing affordability have reached new highs, indicating low interest rates, lower home prices and the first time home buyers tax credit are improving sales. Lower housing prices have produced a rush of cash strapped investors to purchase homes and are knocking out many first time buyers, who are trying… Continue reading Housing Affordability Hits New Highs

Comparing Today’s Financial Crisis to Great Depression

By Chris Tyler Comparisons between the current financial crisis and the Great Depression are becoming less common these days as the economy seemingly makes strides towards recovery. However, with growing unemployment, rising business failures, climbing bankruptcies and a growing epidemic of foreclosures progress is difficult to gauge. Most economists say the nation has moved into… Continue reading Comparing Today’s Financial Crisis to Great Depression

U.S. Real Estate Market Rebound

Recovery Forecast Not Until 2011 The U.S. real estate market will take at least three years to recover from its massive slump and it won’t fully rebound from the mortgage mess until at least some time in 2011, Housing Predictor forecasts. Housing Predictor analysts forecast the overall U.S. economy will suffer from a recession as… Continue reading U.S. Real Estate Market Rebound

Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

By Christine Hardenberger Gleaming granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, slate tiled bathrooms, and jetted garden tubs. Upgrading your home to sell used to mean sinking big money into high-end kitchen and bathroom renovations. Upgraded kitchens and bathrooms sold homes. Now, renovating your kitchen or bathroom could cost you far more than you’ll ever make back… Continue reading Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

Homeowners Insurance Costs Soar

Propelled by massive pay-outs as a direct result of hurricane damage, Florida has the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the nation, according to a new industry study. The rise in policy costs account for more than a 10% increase in annual premiums. Other states are also experiencing large rate hikes. “Most homeowners over-pay for insurance… Continue reading Homeowners Insurance Costs Soar

Home Owners Trust Real Estate Agents

An over-whelming majority of U.S. home owners trust real estate agents to handle their property transactions and will use agents’ services again, a new Housing Predictor survey has found. The telephone survey of 511 homeowners scattered throughout the nation was conducted during the first two weeks of December at a time when the U.S. housing… Continue reading Home Owners Trust Real Estate Agents

Overwhelming Majority Favor Homeownership

By Mike Colpitts An overwhelming majority favor homeownership over renting despite the housing downturn, according to a new study. The results were found as part of a Fannie Mae survey that asked a variety of questions revolving homeownership and the economy. An astonishing 85% of respondants said they favor homeownership over renting based on the… Continue reading Overwhelming Majority Favor Homeownership