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Housing Market

Top 10 metro areas where housing prices have increased in the U.S.

Although housing prices are not increasing by much in many parts of the country, any uptick in home values is a welcome change to home owners in those areas. Housing prices increased by 2 to 6 percent in the top metro areas during the last 12 months.

Spotlight Housing Market News

Top 10 metro areas where housing prices have declined in the U.S.
These metro areas that have seen the worst average house price change from the 4th quarter of 2009 to 2010
Interest in buying foreclosure properties down - survey
The survey conducted in November shows that 43% of U.S. adults are interested in purchasing a foreclosed home in the future.
Six states account for more than half of foreclosure activity
These six states totaled 61% of all foreclosure activity, according to a foreclosure tracking report.
Real estate and construction industry conditions in early 2011

Overall the residential real estate market was sluggish throughout the United States, according to the Federal Reserve in its latest Beige Book survey for the January to February 2011 time frame.

NEWS FROM OTHER SITES

Housing Market

Massachusetts home sales down for third straight month

Record-low mortgage rates and stabilized home prices have yet to get Massachusetts home buyers interested in purchasing homes in this housing market.

Varying trend in foreclosure activity among top 10 metro areas

In the top 10 metro areas for foreclosures, some saw significant increase in foreclosure filings for the month of February, while others saw significant decrease in foreclosure activity for the month, according to a foreclosure tracking report.

Up front loan modification fees banned in California

The state legislature banned the taking of advanced fees for loan modification services in California. These so called "cash up front" modification contracts have been used to dupe many consumers out of thousands of dollars. The Governor signed the provisions into law.

10 things to know about the extended first time home buyer tax credit

If you are in the market for a new home, you may still be able to claim the first time home buyer tax credit which Congress recently extended.

First time home buyer tax credit extended to April 2010

The U.S. Congress took steps to help first time home buyers by extending the tax credit for buying a home which simultaneously gave a boost to the ailing real estate industry.

Mortgage refinance activity up due to lower interest rates

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 71.5% of total mortgage applications, up from 66.1% the previous week. The refinance share of mortgage activity is the highest it has been since May 2009, when the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was around 4.7%, close to historical lows, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey for November 6.

HAP tax exemption and first time home buyer tax credit for veterans

Veterans are set to benefit from a couple of provisions currently under consideration in the Congress. One such provision is the extension of the first time home buyer tax credit by one year and another is the HAP tax exemption or exemption of taxes for certain housing assistance payments (HAP).

Permits for building single family homes in August 2009

Texas had the highest number of authorized single family building permits in August 2009. The figure of 6,451 building permits is more than 2.5 times higher than the second ranked state - Florida with 2,484 building permits for the month.

Housing Market

House hearing on first time home buyer tax credit
Many in the housing industry are urging Congress to extend the first time home buyer tax credit for an additional year and to make it available to all
Home builders worry about finance and expiring tax credit
Lack of credit may hamper any near term housing recovery.
Most economists believe recession is over
More than 80 percent of economists believe the recession is over and an expansion has begun.
Nevada foreclosures: 1 in every 27 housing units
Nevada foreclosure rate is more than 5 times the national average
Foreclosure alert for renters
A new service is available to alert renters if the property they are renting is going into foreclosure.