By Ryan Jackson Driven by falling U.S. Treasuries, mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in U.S. history for the third week in a row as worries over the economy trouble financial markets. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped to average 3.49%, according to Freddie Mac. Rates have been on a one-way move downward since… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Fall to New Record
Category: Statistics
Rents Rise to Menace Market
Home and apartment rents are rising in the majority of the U.S. and are expected to sustain higher increases over coming months to menace the housing market, according to a survey of residential property managers. The new TransUnion survey found that both large and small property managers are faring better than they were a year… Continue reading Rents Rise to Menace Market
Underwater Homeowners Gain Home Equity
By Mike Colpitts Underwater homeowners, already upside down in the current economy more than ever before are seeing their fortunes turn around, with new data showing a gain in home equity. The upturn in homeowner equity comes as a result of growing home price inflation in some cities and slower equity losses in others. Some… Continue reading Underwater Homeowners Gain Home Equity
Tight Housing Inventory Slows Recovery
By Mike Colpitts A tight inventory of homes restricted by new bank foreclosure procedures and underwater homeowners unable to sell homes slows the U.S. housing market from making a swift recovery. The limited supply of existing homes listed for sale is producing multiple offers in some cities, and sluggish sales in others. Housing inventory has… Continue reading Tight Housing Inventory Slows Recovery
Household Energy Costs Jump 3% Yearly
By Mike Colpitts Household energy costs are jumping almost 3% a year in the U.S. to average $2,024 annually, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The amount it costs to heat and cool a home has been rising steadily since at least 2005, a new study by the department’s information administration shows. Energy expenses are… Continue reading Household Energy Costs Jump 3% Yearly
Summer Home Sales Decline
By Ryan Jackson Despite record low mortgage rates and the lowest home prices in years, existing home sales disappointingly fell for the second straight month in June as consumers remain skittish about the U.S. economy to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.37 million units. The usually busy summer selling season has gotten off to a… Continue reading Summer Home Sales Decline
Banks Play Catch Up On Foreclosures
By Mike Colpitts Banks are playing catch up formally repossessing homes in judicial foreclosure states as they unwind a back-log of foreclosures from the robo-signing scandal. The foreclosure inventory remains at near all-time highs with 4.12% of all U.S. homes with mortgages in the foreclosure pipeline, according to Lender Processing Services. However, new problem loan… Continue reading Banks Play Catch Up On Foreclosures
Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low
By Mike Colpitts Lower Treasury bond yields and uncertainty over the world economy drove mortgage rates to another record all-time low this week as the 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit an average of 3.62%. The historic drop in rates was also experienced in the shorter term 15-year fixed loan. The drop in rates is unprecedented… Continue reading Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low
All Cash Sales Slowly Slip
By Mike Colpitts All cash sales of homes, which accounted for one in three transactions just a year ago are slowly slipping as home shoppers searching for bargain priced properties run low on cash. The slip in cash sales sent closed transactions in May to account for just 28% of home sales, according to the… Continue reading All Cash Sales Slowly Slip
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at Record Lows
By Mike Colpitts Mortgage rates held steady to maintain record low levels, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage staying at an average of 3.66% for the second week in a row, according to Freddie Mac. The shorter term 15-year fixed loan slipped a single basis point to 2.94%. Many consumers refinancing homes are opting for… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at Record Lows