Monthly Archives: May 2014

Home Prices Are Cooling

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Cliff

Home prices are cooling :The majority of metro areas in the first quarter continued to show price growth, but the gains are smaller than previous quarters, the National Association of REALTORS® says in its latest quarterly housing report. Median existing … Continue reading →

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Escalation Clauses Are Used More Often

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Cliff

With inventory low and multiple offers becoming more common, more real estate agents are employing escalation clauses to help their clients win bidding wars. However, what once was considered a secret weapon in an agent’s arsenal has become a more … Continue reading →

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Concern Over Weakening Home Sales and Housing Starts

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Cliff

Home sales and housing starts have weakened in recent months, at a time when many in the industry had expected a seasonal pick-up. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen told Congress last week that the recent housing slowdown “could prove more … Continue reading →

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Some Home Sellers Prefer To Price Homes Above Market Value

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Cliff

More home sellers want to get aggressive with the pricing of their home. Forty percent of sellers say they plan to price their homes above market value, according to the latest Redfin Real-Time Seller Survey of 1,128 active home sellers … Continue reading →

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Nationwide Mortgage Delinquency Rate Drops

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Cliff

The mortgage delinquency rate nationwide stood at 3.61 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2014, down more than 24 percent compared to the same time a year ago, according to the latest mortgage report from TransUnion. That … Continue reading →

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Young Renters Do Want To Own

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Cliff

Most young renters think owning is a more sensible housing choice for financial reasons, according to Fannie Mae’s new National Housing Survey. Seventy-six percent of young renters, defined in this study as between 18 and 39, think owning makes more … Continue reading →

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Realtors Become a Lifeline After Arkansas Tornado

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Cliff

Victims of the devastating April 27 tornado that destroyed parts of central Arkansas and killed 16 people are still reeling from the tragedy. But they’re finding friends in the real estate community to help them through this difficult time, as … Continue reading →

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Home Ownership Rate At Lowest Level Since 1982

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Cliff

Young Americans are putting off home buying at unprecedented levels. The home ownership rate for the Millennial generation age group has fallen to its lowest level since the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking home ownership by age in 1982. The … Continue reading →

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For Low Down Payment Loans: New Options

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Cliff

About 60 percent of first-time home buyers make a low down payment of 6 percent or less for a home, according to the March Realtor Confidence Index. But with rising insurance premiums for loans insured by the FHA, traditionally a … Continue reading →

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Housing Market Pricing Renters Out

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Cliff

One out of three Americans live in a housing market where rent for a three-bedroom home takes more than 30 percent of their monthly median income, according to a new study released by RealtyTrac. In some cities, the percentage is … Continue reading →

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