Real Estate News Archives
August 2010
- Texas foreclosures fall, but more homeowners falling behind
The number of Houston homes currently in foreclosure may be falling, but future signs point toward a continued trend of distressed properties.August 31st, 2010 12:12pm - Buyers of Houston homes need to be aware of home transfer fees
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a home. But one thing that home buyers in Texas need to be especially aware of is the issue of reconveyance and transfer fees.August 31st, 2010 11:59am - Texans remain financially stressed
A new report says that Texas residents are dealing with increasing levels of financial distress.August 31st, 2010 11:59am - NAR: Commercial real estate is a "tenant's market"
The latest report by the National Association of Realtors says that while the commercial real estate market is beginning to show signs of stabilizing, it is still tilted towards the tenant.August 31st, 2010 11:38am - HUD chief says tax credit may return
As he announced a pair of new government programs aimed at stemming foreclosures, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan said that the Obama administration remains open to the idea of reviving the first-time homebuyer credit, after its eAugust 30th, 2010 11:56am - New report highlights improving Houston schools
A new study on education systems in cities across the country says Houston has one of the most innovative programs in the nation.August 30th, 2010 11:55am - Many commercial borrowers now abandoning underwater properties
It's not unusual to hear of homeowners who stop paying their mortgages for properties that aren't worth as much as their loans. But now, as the Wall Street Journal reports, many commercial property owners are also strategically defaulting on their propertAugust 27th, 2010 4:41pm - Twelve percent of Houston homeowners have upside down loans
A new study shows that a number of local homeowners are dealing with underwater mortgages.August 27th, 2010 4:31pm - Mortgage rates continue their record-setting drop
Continually dropping rates are making a mortgage even more attractive for those looking at Houston homes for sale.August 27th, 2010 4:31pm - Clean energy could create a major boon for Houston real estate market
New research has shown that the development of wind and solar energy in the state could give a needed boost to the economy.August 27th, 2010 2:24pm - First few days of a listing are crucial
Those trying to sell Houston real estate may want to pay attention. A new study shows that while you can lower your asking price later on, the first few days of a listing generate the most interest.August 26th, 2010 12:04pm - Texas home prices rise, beat national trend
While home prices nationwide are decreasing, the price of Houston homes is growing.August 25th, 2010 5:16pm - Refinancing applications rise, but purchases drop again
While low interest rates are continuing to motivate homeowners to refinance their mortgages, they are still failing to significantly affect the number of loans for home purchases.August 25th, 2010 4:59pm - Industry changes lead to instability in local commercial markets
The traditionally stable market for Houston commericial real estate is now dealing with a great deal of uncertainty due to a number of industry changes, the Wall Street Journal reports.August 25th, 2010 12:04pm - Prices rise as July home sales see expected fall
The National Association of Realtors says that existing home sales dropped more than 27 percent in July following the expiration of the first-time homebuyer credit.August 24th, 2010 4:56pm - Percentage of first-time homebuyers plummets
With the expiration of the federal tax credit, the percentage of first-time homebuyers making home purchases has seen a significant drop in the past month.August 24th, 2010 12:18pm - Study shows oil spill's effect on home sales
A new study shows that the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has had a strong effect on home sales throughout the Gulf Coast, including inland regions.August 23rd, 2010 11:42am - Homeowners may be out of touch with value of Houston properties
A recent survey shows that many homebuyers may not have a firm grip on the local Houston real estate market.August 23rd, 2010 11:42am - Drop in employment could exacerbate home sale issues
After seeing job growth in Houston over each of the last five months, employers cut 17,000 jobs in July, according to statistics from the Texas Workforce Commission - which could lead to a rise in Houston foreclosures as homeowners struggle to pay their mAugust 23rd, 2010 11:39am - Banks loosening commercial lending standards
A new report shows that commercial lending standards are easing for the first time in four years, meaning that companies looking to purchase Houston commercial property may find credit more available.August 20th, 2010 12:45pm - Green features important for Houston homes
New research shows that home buyers are increasingly looking for energy efficiency while sorting through real estate listings.August 20th, 2010 12:44pm - Mortgage rates drop to record lows
Conditions for home buying are continuing to improve, as mortgage rates in the U.S. have continued their record-setting decline - setting an all-time low for the ninth-consecutive week, according to figures released by Freddie Mac.August 20th, 2010 12:44pm - Growing number of Americans don't ever plan on home ownership
More Americans are souring on the idea of home ownership amid the current real estate market.August 19th, 2010 12:23pm - Houston property bargain-hunters may be left waiting
A new study shows that while many home sellers around the country are slashing prices in order to get their homes to sell, those waiting for prices on Houston homes to drop may be better off pulling the trigger.August 19th, 2010 12:23pm - Houston home sales slow, but prices rise
Houston real estate sales dropped across all segments in July, according to the Houston Association of Realtors, a situation many expected after the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credits which brought many prospective buyers into the market.August 18th, 2010 11:49am - Texas Association of Realtors launches new homebuyer education program
The Texas Association of Realtors is launching a new online initiative aimed at improving awareness of the state's various housing-assistance programs.August 18th, 2010 11:46am - Missouri City named one of the country's best places to live
One Houston suburb has earned its way onto a prestigious national list of cities.August 17th, 2010 5:40pm - Home-shoppers need to be aware of 'digital staging'
Staging a home for sale - moving in attractive furniture to make it look nicer - is nothing new in the real estate industry. But as the Washington Post reports, many people are now running into the problem of "digital staging."August 16th, 2010 1:45pm - Texas accounts for many of country's short sales
Short sales have become an increasingly common way for homeowners to avoid foreclosure and get rid of underwater homes. A recent report has found that Texas residences, along with three other states, make up over half of these home sales in the U.S.August 12th, 2010 11:16am - Underwater homeowners get more refinancing options
Refinancing a mortgage for many homeowners is the opportunity to lock in a low fixed interest rate and make smaller monthly home loan payments. But for some people, it now means being given the chance to swim out from underneath their underwater home loanAugust 11th, 2010 9:59am - Home values falling across the country
Although experts say the economy is experiencing modest gains, it may be hard to see them in the real estate market. A recent report found that home values keep on dropping.August 10th, 2010 4:38pm - Home security system solicitors making rounds in The Woodlands
Summer is the busy season for home security door-to-door salespeople because this time of the year is a high-crime time. However, recent reports from a local watch organization indicates that people owning The Woodlands real estate should take some precauAugust 10th, 2010 4:31pm - Home sales slowing down nationally
The spring was a busy season for home buying, but the normally busy summer months have experienced an unexpected slowdown in sales.August 10th, 2010 3:09pm - Insurance risks come with vacant homes
Home selling has been quite the challenge for some people due to the down economy. Even though some homeowners haven't been able to find a buyer, they leave their properties vacant, increasing the home's insurance risk.August 10th, 2010 3:02pm - Another resource for struggling homeowners
Although there are numerous resources available for homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments, it's been difficult for them to separate what's really going to help them from the many fraudulent offers that have popped up recently.August 9th, 2010 3:40pm - Texas home sales keep on rising
Further proof that the Texas economy is looking up is the latest Texas Quarterly Housing Report.August 9th, 2010 10:58am - Neighborhoods benefit from mortgage assistance programs
The last few years have not been financially kind to consumers, making it all the more difficult to secure a mortgage loan. Housing prices have suffered, as have the neighborhoods they are located in.August 6th, 2010 11:20am - Houston economy more on par with nation's
While the Houston real estate market has fared relatively well compared to other parts of the country, recent reports indicate it may be starting to experience similar downfalls.August 5th, 2010 1:41pm - Commercial real estate market needs more credit options
The National Association of Realtors is pleading with government officials to open up more credit options for commercial real estate.August 5th, 2010 8:38am - Too few homeowners know about federal mortgage modification program
Even though it began in February 2009, the number of homeowners taking advantage of the federal government's Making Home Affordable Program has been dismal compared the amount that are struggling to make their monthly payments.August 4th, 2010 10:05am - Housing finance will be reliant upon mortgage insurance
The lending industry has seen better days, but those working in the mortgage insurance sector are confident that they can help bring it back to life.August 3rd, 2010 3:23pm - Making sure a mortgage modification application is reviewed
In an attempt to avoid foreclosures and short sales, many homeowners throughout the country are trying desperately to get a mortgage modification for their home. However, it's been much more difficult than many had anticipated.August 3rd, 2010 11:13am - Check is still most popular form of rent payment
With the advent of online bill paying for everything from credit cards to electricity bills, it may be surprising to some that the majority of people leasing a place still pay their rent every month with a paper check.August 2nd, 2010 10:38am - Houston great city for young adults
Houston has recently been named one of the top 10 cities in the country for young adults to live.August 1st, 2010 6:26pm
My Account
Log in, to view your saved searches and add to your favorite listings.
Forgot your password? Click here!
... So You Can:
- View detailed property information
- Print detailed property flyers
- Save your searches & favorite homes
- Inquire about a private showing
- Map individual property locations
- Share your favorite homes with friends
