Real Estate News Archives
April 2011
- Pending home sales jump in March
The National Association of Realtors says its Pending Home Sales Index rose in March, marking the sixth increase over the past nine months as the housing market continues to recover.April 29th, 2011 10:45am - Mortgage rates slip again
In its weekly mortgage market survey, Freddie Mac says mortgage rates dropped again over the past week, with some rates hitting new lows for this year.April 29th, 2011 10:39am - Houston homes becoming more affordable
With mortgage rates remaining low, and rents rising across the country, a report from Trulia finds that homeownership in Houston, and in many other cities across the country, has become more affordable.April 29th, 2011 6:10am - National homeownership level falls
In the wake of the recession and foreclosure crisis, data released by the Commerce Department Wednesday showed homeownership in the U.S. had fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade.April 28th, 2011 10:48am - Houston dubbed a "city of the future" for foreign investment
Likely due to its steady economy and strong growth prospects, a recent report has ranked Houston as one of the top 10 American cities of the future for foreign direct investment.April 28th, 2011 10:46am - Despite affordability, buyers having trouble
Low mortgage rates and home prices have created record housing affordability for those looking to buy. However, many of those potential buyers told the Wall Street Journal the market remains challenging.April 27th, 2011 11:01am - Price-reduced homes remain widespread nationwide
A report from California-based ZipRealty finds homesellers in many parts of the country continue to cut their asking prices, providing affordable options for those looking to buy Houston homes.April 27th, 2011 11:00am - Research finds lower homebuyer activity, increased distress
Distressed properties make up nearly half of the housing availability in the U.S., according to research from Campbell's HousingPulse tracking survey.April 27th, 2011 2:52am - New home sales jump in March
After a very slow pace in February, the government says new home sales rebounded in the month of March, showing significant gains at the start of the spring homebuying season.April 26th, 2011 10:59am - Determining the damage from one missed payment
For those looking to buy a home, one of the most important things is having a strong credit score. However, just one missed mortgage payment can have a significant impact, the New York Times reports.April 26th, 2011 9:42am - Better hurricane preparation should help Houstonians
A grant from the Houston Endowment will allow the Rice University Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evaluation from Disasters Center to continue its research into the area's hurricane patterns, potentially leading to safety improvements for Houston pApril 26th, 2011 8:00am - Report: Home solar panels result in sunny sales prices
With energy prices continuing to rise, many homeowners or potential buyers may be considering the use of home solar panels. A recent study by from the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that solar-powered homes in CaliforApril 25th, 2011 8:47am - National home prices still sliding
While many parts of the economy appear to be picking up steam, a report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency says home prices are still not among them.April 22nd, 2011 9:57am - Survey finds Houstonians are optimistic
A new survey of local residents finds that the overwhelming majority of those living in Houston properties feel they are better off than those in other parts of the country.April 21st, 2011 10:38am - National home sales rise in March
The National Association of Realtors says the sales of existing homes increased in March as more homebuyers began moving last month.April 21st, 2011 10:36am - Mortgage applications surge again as rates slip
The latest weekly survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association reported an increase in mortgage applications as interest rates fell to their lowest level in weeks.April 21st, 2011 6:35am - Many reasons a mortgage application could be rejected
In the wake of the housing market crash, banks have been much tougher about who they give mortgages to, rejecting one out of every four applications. CNNMoney says there are a number of reasons a loan may be turned down.April 21st, 2011 6:33am - Building permits, housing starts bounce back
After record low home construction figures were reported last month, data released by the Commerce Department this week showed a rebound for the industry, supporting renewed consumer demand in the Houston real estate market and the nation at large.April 20th, 2011 10:39am - Houston home prices staying positive
The latest monthly report from the Houston Association of Realtors shows that while home sales have continued to trail levels seen one year ago, prices have shown consistent gains.April 19th, 2011 10:25am - Homebuilder confidence slips
After inching up last month, the National Association of Home Builders says builders across the country continue to be frustrated by a lack of improvement in the housing market and the high numbers of foreclosures.April 19th, 2011 6:47am - Mortgage buyers facing stiff competition
In the current real estate market, MarketWatch reports buyers who need to take out a mortgage are actually at a significant disadvantage compared to people buying a home with cash.April 18th, 2011 10:59am - Houston sellers wait before making price cuts
With low mortgage rates and home prices well below their levels from a few years ago, many analysts have said that buyers have the upper hand in the current housing market. But as a report from Trulia finds, some sellers in many parts of the country are rApril 15th, 2011 10:42am - Economic stress in Houston area drops
The Associated Press' economic stress index dropped in February both across the country and in the local real estate market, which could allow more families the economic flexibility to buy Houston homes.April 15th, 2011 10:40am - Mortgage rates rise for fourth straight week
After falling in the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan, mortgage rates now have steadily risen for four consecutive weeks, according to Freddie Mac, giving added urgency for those looking at Houston homes.April 15th, 2011 10:38am - House bill would give short sale deadline
A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House this week would work to speed up the short sale process and keep many of those properties from going into foreclosure.April 15th, 2011 7:11am - Landlords regaining power over tenants
With foreclosures continuing to be prevalent in many parts of the country and mortgages becoming tougher to get, more people have turned to renting. But as the Associated Press reports, those waves of renters have driven up apartment prices across the couApril 15th, 2011 7:08am - Freddie Mac predicts sales increases in April
While the Houston real estate market has remained relatively subdued so far this year, a report from Fannie Mae says that home sales should start to pick up nationwide this month, as the national economy continues to recover.April 14th, 2011 10:54am - Housing analysts remain unsure about sales climate
The tight restrictions put in place by many of the country's mortgage lenders continue to be a cause for concern for many real estate agents and brokers, who are unsure what they will mean for the spring selling season in the Houston real estate market, MApril 13th, 2011 10:35am - Houston listings, prices increase
As interest in the Houston real estate market heats up along with the spring weather, a report from Altos Research finds that home prices have continued to appreciate even as the number of available Houston properties continues to increase.April 13th, 2011 10:32am - Americans still view homeownership favorably
Despite the effects of the recent housing crisis, a recent survey finds that the vast majority of Americans still think buying a home is a strong investment.April 13th, 2011 5:20am - Some foreclosure buyers could get closing cost assistance
Potential homebuyers looking to purchase Houston foreclosures may be able to get some help paying for their closing costs under a revamped program from Fannie Mae.April 12th, 2011 9:51am - HDI reveals continued price decline in U.S. Western regions
According to Clear Capital's Home Data Index, prices for properties in the Western region of the United States are still in decline, falling 5.2 percent year over year.April 11th, 2011 6:45am - Would-be borrowers experiencing difficulty securing loans, despite low interest rates
According to a recent CNN Money article, despite low interest rates, potential borrowers are still experiencing severe difficulty in securing loans.April 11th, 2011 6:44am - Report: Positive employment figures lead to better mortgage rates
According to Freddie Mac's recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey, mortgage rates increased slightly for the third consecutive week.April 8th, 2011 7:15am - Year-over-year home prices decline for seventh straight month
According to CoreLogic's Home Price Index, the year-over-year value in February for the market showed decline - the seventh straight month for this trend.April 8th, 2011 7:13am - National office sector showing stability
Despite the impact of rising oil prices, which have made a significant impact on the nation's economy, a report from Cassidy Turley finds that the U.S. office market continues to show improvements.April 7th, 2011 11:09am - Rental prices continue to rise nationwide
Demand for rental apartments continued to surge nationwide, reducing vacancy rates and driving up prices across the country.April 7th, 2011 8:22am - State Senate passes HOA restrictions
The state Senate has now passed a bill that would place a number of restrictions on homeowners associations in the state.April 6th, 2011 10:56am - Federal budget talks could affect mortgages
The potential shutdown of the federal government could have a number of impacts across the country. However, one side effect of a shutdown could make it tougher for those looking at Houston properties.April 6th, 2011 7:23am - Texas continues to show strong jobs growth
Helping to boost the Houston real estate market and others across the state, Texas has continued to experience some of the strongest job growth nationwide.April 6th, 2011 7:19am - Many homeowners having mortgage trouble
A recent poll finds that while many homeowners are still having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments, the number people having difficulties has fallen.April 5th, 2011 11:03am - Houston remains a healthy housing market
The Houston real estate market has been one of the steadiest in the country over the past several months, a fact noted by Builder magazine.April 5th, 2011 8:18am - FHA taking criticism for extra interest payments
The Federal Housing Administration is taking criticism from some lawmakers for charging some homeowners for interest costs after they sell or refinance their homes.April 4th, 2011 9:39am - Young workers focusing on urban centers
A new study finds that over the past several years, younger workers and recent college graduates have increasingly looked to live in large urban centers instead of more outlying areas.April 4th, 2011 9:37am - Interest rates rise for second straight week
As the economy continues to pick up steam, Freddie Mac says interest rates jumped again over the last week, increasing mortgage costs for those looking to buy a home.April 1st, 2011 10:15am - Texas largely unscathed by housing market's troubles
While the national real estate market continues to show signs of weakness, Texas has weathered the recent storms relatively well, according to an economic update from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.April 1st, 2011 10:11am
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