Real Estate News Archives
January 2011
- Appraisals derailing many home sales nationwide
In addition to the tighter lending standards banks are now requiring from those looking to buy Houston homes, multiple reports have highlighted the problems the appraisal process is causing across the country.January 31st, 2011 7:28am - Houston foreclosures increase sharply in 2010
Although the Houston real estate market largely avoided the waves of foreclosures across the country in recent years, a report from RealtyTrac shows that it hasn't been able to escape them completely.January 28th, 2011 11:59am - Pending home sales show continued improvement
The National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index continued to show gains in December, showing that the housing market may finally be gaining momentum.January 28th, 2011 11:55am - New home sales show record gains in December
A sharp increase in new home sales in December gave an unexpected boost to the real estate market, although analysts say some of the improvement may actually be misleading.January 28th, 2011 7:47am - Texas' tax laws leading to population growth
Texas is one of a few states whose advantageous tax laws have resulted in a significant influx of residents looking to escape from higher taxes in other states.January 27th, 2011 9:21am - Houston homes affordable on global scale
A new report says that Houston homes aren't just some of the most affordable in the country, the Houston real estate market is also among the most affordable in the English-speaking world.January 27th, 2011 9:18am - Getting a mortgage may now cost more
While buying Houston homes remains very affordable, a new series of fees instituted by Fannie Mae may increase the cost of getting a mortgage for many people.January 27th, 2011 9:16am - National home prices continue to falter
As foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to dominate the national real estate market, home prices continued to slide during the latter part of 2010.January 26th, 2011 11:01am - Foreclosure sales pick up
The sales of distressed properties picked up significantly in December, as more first-time homebuyers entered the market during the month.January 26th, 2011 10:59am - Houston homes remain more affordable than paying rent
A study by the website Trulia finds that those buying Houston homes are getting a better financial deal than those who are still paying monthly rent.January 25th, 2011 11:44am - Houston jobs numbers increase
As many analysts have pointed to jobs as the catalyst for an improved housing market, a new report from the Texas Workforce Commission finds that the Houston real estate market should continue to outperform the rest of the country.January 25th, 2011 11:43am - Americans still feel homeownership makes financial sense
Despite lingering instability in the national real estate market following the recession, a survey from the National Association of Realtors finds that most Americans still feel that buying a home makes sense.January 24th, 2011 11:57am - Fate of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remains uncertain
After being kept afloat by the federal government for the past two years, officials are preparing to lay out a plan to overhaul mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.January 24th, 2011 11:56am - Fixed-rate loans dominating market
Even though adjustable-rate mortgages generally start with a lower interest rate than fixed-rate loans, a report from Freddie Mac shows that people looking to buy Houston homes are generally staying away from them.January 24th, 2011 7:22am - Affordability continues to drive sales
With interest rates remaining near record lows, homes have reached historic levels of affordability. Those conditions are such that they are the driving force behind many home purchases.January 24th, 2011 7:20am - National home sales show significant gains
The National Association of Realtors says home sales picked up significantly during the month of December, creating optimism among economists about the future of the housing market.January 21st, 2011 11:41am - Building permits rise sharply
While home construction figures are still well below normal levels, data from the Department of Commerce shows that many of the country's home builders are expecting this upcoming spring to be the start of a turnaround in the market for new homes.January 20th, 2011 11:47am - Most Americans feel it's a "good time" to buy a home
With low interest rates continuing to dominate the national real estate scene, a new report finds that most Americans feel that it's a buyer's market.January 19th, 2011 11:47am - Texas releases more funding for homebuyer tax credit program
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has released $45 million in funding for the Texas Mortgage Credit Program, which provides tax credits for many first-time buyers in the state.January 18th, 2011 11:47am - Home prices continue rising
Despite the ongoing trend of slow home sales in the Houston real estate market in the month of December, the Houston Association of Realtors says the continued strength of home prices is an optimistic sign.January 18th, 2011 11:44am - Officials to extend suspension of anti-flipping rule
In an effort to maintain the momentum gained by the housing market, the Los Angeles Times reports the Federal Housing Administration has decided to extend its suspension of government anti-flipping rules to increase FHA lending.January 17th, 2011 12:07pm - Growing demand for housing for older Americans
As the country's baby boomer generation continues to approach retirement, their housing needs will create a growing demand for homes in 55+ communities across the Houston real estate market and the country as a whole.January 17th, 2011 7:09am - Houston real estate market escapes national trends
California-based ZipReality says because of continued high demand in the area, home sellers in Houston aren't cutting their prices as much as those in other parts of the country.January 14th, 2011 8:29am - Number of Houston homes for sale falls
Despite being well above numbers from last year, the number of available homes in the Houston real estate market trailed off in December.January 13th, 2011 8:38am - Houston home prices gain most nationwide
While home price declines have been widespread on a national level, the same trend has not been seen in the Houston real estate market. A new report from CoreLogic says that local home values have risen again.January 12th, 2011 11:42am - Houston homes more affordable than renting
With low mortgage rates and relatively low home prices, a new report says that buying Houston homes may make more financial sense than renting apartments.January 12th, 2011 7:47am - Commercial real estate sector to see slow recovery
While the last year has been relatively rough sledding for the commercial real estate market, gains in underlying economic factors should lead to a gradual improvement in the coming months.January 12th, 2011 7:43am - Lack of demand for home lots
With the housing market still trying to get back on its collective feet, consultants say that there's very little demand for home building lots across most of the country.January 11th, 2011 11:40am - Court ruling voids two Mass. foreclosures
A ruling by Massachusetts' highest court has voided two foreclosures over documentation issues in what could be the next step in the ongoing robo-signing controversy.January 10th, 2011 11:53am - Houston expected to see rising home prices in 2011
While the national real estate market may continue to struggle in 2011, a new report says that the prices of Houston homes should continue to show strong growth throughout the year.January 7th, 2011 11:31am - Texas economy continues to lead the pack
As the national economy works to pick up steam, a new report says that the Texas economy continues to outperform many other states.January 6th, 2011 11:38am - Home insurance rate increases based on region
Though the location always affects the price of Houston properties, it also has an impact on the price of a property's insurance. Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, told MSNBC reporters that the price of homeowners insuranceJanuary 5th, 2011 11:29am - Green construction trend to expand
While much of the housing market languishes, the green building industry is set to flourish in 2011.January 5th, 2011 11:27am - Despite conditions, now may be the time to sell
While most reports say that current conditions may favor buyers instead of sellers, some housing experts say that now may be the best climate sellers may see for some time.January 4th, 2011 11:34am - NAR: Pending home sales continue rise
Home sales nationwide may slowly be picking up, as the National Association of Realtors says its Pending Home Sales Index has risen for the second straight month.January 3rd, 2011 11:08am - Interest rates climb again
Freddie Mac says interest rates increased again last week, resuming their slow ascent after dipping slightly during the previous week.January 3rd, 2011 11:07am
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