Leading indicators for the housing sector have shown that despite the moderate economic growth predicted, housing may experience a strong season in the spring, according to Fannie Mae. In March, existing home sales rose to their highest level in nearly two years, but for Q1 existing home sales were off slightly from the previous quarter's total. Despite a slowdown in March, new single-family home sales ended the first quarter at their strongest pace in seven years.
Read More »Real Estate Investors Expanding Property Searches, Broadening Strategies
Visio found that 63 percent more investors are considering purchasing properties over $200,000, while sub-$40,000 deal interest has decreased, compared with last year’s report. Investors are also seeking to enhance their investment return strategy by fixing and flipping homes and building their rental portfolios.
Read More »Survey: Consumers Generally Positive But Still Cautious Toward Housing
Consumer sentiment toward the economy took a slight step backward in April, with the percentage of respondents who said the economy is on the right track fell by one percentage point down to 42 percent. Meanwhile, the share who said the economy is on the wrong track increased by one percentage point up to 49 percent.
Read More »Spring Gains Mean Good News For Housing Moving Forward
Despite the gains for the housing market this spring, the Census Bureau reported that homeownership nationwide had fallen to 63.7 percent in Q1, its lowest level since the 1990s, with ongoing declines happening primarily among households under age 45.
Read More »Housing Market Continues Gradual Move Toward Recovery
Housing and economic activity has returned to or exceeded normal levels in 68 of about 360 metropolitan areas in the country (about 19 percent) as of the end of Q1 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) released Wednesday. The 68 markets represent a year-over-year increase of seven markets, according to NAHB.
Read More »Economists Retain Positive Outlook Despite ‘Paltry’ GDP Growth in First Q1 Estimate
In spite of the recent reports of slow economic growth in Q1, Fannie Mae has maintained its forecast for GDP growth of 2.8 percent this year and its position that the economy will "drag housing upward." Fannie Mae chief economist and SVP Doug Duncan pointed out that the actuals as far as housing – existing home sales, new home sales, and prices – were either at or very close to their predicted levels during Q1, and mortgage purchase applications have been way up for the last couple of months.
Read More »Index for Pending Home Sales Hits Two-Year High
The index also broke down pending home sales by region. While the South and West saw an increase of 4 percent and 1.7 percent for March, respectively, the Northeast and Midwest saw drops, decreasing by 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent.
Read More »Homeownership Down Below ’90s Levels; Vacancy Rate Little Changed
The homeownership rates declined by at least 0.6 percentage points year-over-year in all age categories (under 35; 35 to 44; 45 to 54; 55 to 64; and 65 and older), with the largest decline coming in the 35 to 44 age group (2.3 percentage points, from 60.7 down to 58.4 percent.
Read More »Housing Market Has Made ‘Good Enough’ Progress to Buy Now, Analyst Says
Speaking from the Milken Institute Conference in Los Angeles, Blackstone Mortgage Trust CEO Steve Schwarzman told CNBC on Monday that the housing market has been "coming back for quite some time" even though inventory is low and prices have not increased as much.
Read More »Analyst Says Buying a Home Now Is a Solid Investment
Due to current low interest rates and anticipated appreciation rates for the next few years, homeownership is "one of the last legitimate wealth creation opportunities," according to Tim Rood, chairman of Washington, D.C.-based business advisory firm The Collingwood Group in an interview with Westwood One radio host Dirk Van last week.
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