Real Estate News Archives
March 2011
- Houston Real Estate Firm Expands Social Media Channel
Houston real estate firm expands 2WEETER.com to serve the metro areas of 15 states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and the Texas real estate markets.March 31st, 2011 4:59pm - Lawmakers say mortgage interest deduction to stay
With the federal income tax deadline fast approaching, many people's minds are on their 1040s. Thursday, a pair of lawmakers said that homeowners' mortgage interest tax deduction won't be eliminated in any budget proposal, which should be a relief for thoMarch 31st, 2011 12:27pm - Report: Low inventories could cause shortage of new homes
While the sales and prices of new homes have continued to struggle, Fortune says that may soon change, as a relative shortage of homes will lead to quickly rising prices for those looking to purchase newly built Houston properties.March 31st, 2011 12:24pm - Housing market hurting job seekers
With low home prices in many parts of the country hindering many families who might try to sell, USA Today reports a domino effect is being seen throughout the jobs market.March 31st, 2011 9:23am - Shadow inventory drops slightly
The national backlog of distressed properties that have not yet reached the market - dubbed the shadow inventory - dropped slightly in January, as the pace of foreclosure sales has continued to be strong.March 31st, 2011 9:21am - Mortgage applications drop as rates rise
The Mortgage Bankers Association says mortgage applications dropped off significantly last week as mortgage rates begin rising once again.March 31st, 2011 9:19am - Proposed mortgage rules may have limited immediate effect
While new mortgage rules may make it much more difficult for consumers to qualify for a mortgage a few years down the line, analysts say its immediate effects for those looking at Houston homes will likely be limited.March 30th, 2011 10:35am - Property appraisals drop for many local residents
Many Houston residents could see their property tax bills drop this year, as nearly 20 percent of local homeowners saw their properties appraise for less than last year.March 30th, 2011 10:33am - Pending home sales increase nationwide
While a number of reports have shown the real estate market has continued to struggle, the National Association of Realtors says its Pending Home Sales Index increased in February, which may preview rising sales numbers from March and April.March 29th, 2011 10:51am - "Vultures" boosting housing market
With the widespread foreclosures found in many areas, Bloomberg reports a number of investors - dubbed vultures by some - have swooped in to purchase large numbers of foreclosed properties, rehab them and then put them back on the market for buyers or renMarch 29th, 2011 10:48am - Lenders, builders offering job insurance to buyers
Some of the nation's largest homebuilders and banks are now offering potential buyers job-loss insurance that would make their mortgage payments if they suddenly found themselves laid off, the Washington Post reports.March 29th, 2011 10:43am - Economic stress dips nationwide, edges up in Harris County
While economists say the economic recession technically ended last summer, the Associated Press says its Economic Stress Index still shows things aren't yet going smoothly.March 28th, 2011 10:55am - State Senate passes bill to stop active military foreclosures by HOAs
The state Senate has now approved a bill that would prevent homeowners associations from foreclosing on active members of the military.March 25th, 2011 12:23pm - New home sales continue to fall nationwide
A report from the Commerce Department Wednesday showed new home sales across the country had slowed to a record low pace, as mortgage issues continued to hold back borrowers looking to take advantage of low mortgage rates.March 24th, 2011 11:11am - National home prices continue to fade
The Federal Housing Finance Agency says home prices across the country continued to slide in January, as the national real estate market struggled to pick up speed.March 24th, 2011 11:05am - Prices near Bay City may struggle following Japanese nuclear crisis
Housing analysts say the prices of residential properties in and around Bay City may struggle over the next several months, as the recent Japanese tsunami and nuclear crisis may cause hesitation among some potential buyers.March 23rd, 2011 11:54am - Commercial real estate sector recovering
While the national economy has been slow to pick up steam in some areas, the PwC Real Estate Barometer shows there is optimism in the commercial real estate sector.March 23rd, 2011 11:51am - Investors dominate home sales in February
Home sales across the country continued to be driven by investors, who made up nearly a quarter of property sales during the month of February, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey.March 23rd, 2011 11:50am - Americans remain positive about homeownership
Despite the recent struggles of the housing market nationwide, a national poll by Allstate and National Journal finds that the vast majority of homeowners feel buying a home is a good decision.March 23rd, 2011 7:14am - National home sales drop in February
After three straight increases, the National Association of Realtors says existing home sales dropped in February.March 22nd, 2011 9:58am - Survey finds younger families looking to buy
A recent survey finds that younger families are more likely to be willing to buy a home over the next few months, while real estate agents have found that baby boomers are willing to sit on the market.March 21st, 2011 10:30am - Interest rates plunge following Japanese earthquake and tsunami
In the aftermath of the crisis in Japan, interest rates have fallen significantly across a wide range of markets, driving mortgage rates lower across the country.March 18th, 2011 11:52am - Nationwide housing starts drop in February
Data from the Commerce Department this week showed a sense of hesitancy in the home construction market, as both building permits and housing starts fell off sharply.March 18th, 2011 7:41am - Rent prices may be set to rise
With many people looking to rent homes and apartments across the country, analysts told CNNMoney rent prices could rise 10 percent in some areas.March 17th, 2011 9:10am - Houston recovering well from recession
While the ongoing national recovery from the recession has been uneven across much of the country, a report from the Brookings Institution says that the recovery in the Houston real estate market is among the strongest nationwide.March 17th, 2011 9:09am - Home prices continue to gain as sales slip
The Houston Association of Realtors says while home sales slipped back below their levels from last year following a strong January, home prices have continued to improve.March 16th, 2011 8:31am - Banks becoming more open to fixing up foreclosures
The Chicago Tribune says, in the past, most banks have been unwilling to spend money to spruce up their foreclosed properties. But with so many distressed properties available, some may be changing their tune.March 15th, 2011 9:52am - National home prices fall in January, Houston bucks trend
A report from CoreLogic shows that national home prices continued to lose ground in January, although the Houston real estate market continued to outperform much of the country.March 15th, 2011 9:48am - Realtors urge action on flood insurance reform
While the latest extension to the National Flood Insurance Program isn't set to expire until the end of September, the National Association of Realtors is urging lawmakers to work on a long-term plan for the program.March 14th, 2011 11:47am - Home prices fall, but give reason for optimism
While home prices nationwide have continued to fall, a report from Clear Capital says that there are also signs of a turnaround in the real estate market.March 14th, 2011 9:35am - Interest rates hold below 5 percent
Steady jobs gains helped keep interest rates below 5 percent last week, providing strong opportunities for those looking to buy Houston homes.March 11th, 2011 11:30am - Realtors say homeownership vital to economy
While the economy has begun to turn around in many respects, the National Association of Realtors says promoting homeownership will help stabilize the jobs market.March 11th, 2011 11:28am - Foreclosures slide across U.S.
While the controversy over foreclosures continues across much of the country, data from RealtyTrac showed a significant decline in activity last month.March 11th, 2011 8:35am - Many people don't understand credit scores
While having a strong credit score can be the difference between getting a mortgage or being turned down, a recent survey finds that many people don't understand many of the basics about how those scores are created.March 10th, 2011 11:40am - Future trends point to greener, smaller homes
A survey completed by the National Association of Home Builders shows that many of them feel that smaller, more energy-efficient homes will play a much larger role in the market in the coming years.March 10th, 2011 11:39am - Negative equity grows nationwide
Home price declines in many parts of the country at the end of last year left more borrowers with "upside-down" or "underwater" mortgages.March 9th, 2011 10:36am - Survey finds problems linger with short sales
With a large number of distressed Houston properties on the market, a number of potential buyers may be looking at local short sales. However, a recent survey says those looking at short sales should be prepared to be patient.March 9th, 2011 10:35am - Changes to HISD magnet program postponed
With a significant budget deficit to deal with, the Houston Independent School District says it is tabling all discussion about changes to the district's magnet program until later this fall, after the budget for the next school year has been adopted.March 9th, 2011 4:08am - Historic preservation rules causing controversy again
While the city's tougher historic preservation rules were passed into law six months ago, the owners of many Houston homes are still upset about the rules, which they say have stripped them of their rights.March 9th, 2011 3:18am - High-end homes selling quicker
While home sales across much of the country have continued to take place at a somewhat subdued pace - including the Houston real estate market - a report from DataQuick Information Systems finds that those looking at high-priced homes have been much more March 8th, 2011 8:04am - Tough mortgage requirement would stall housing recovery
As regulators discuss significant changes to the mortgage market, a recent report says making high down payment requirements part of the deal will lock out many people looking to buy Houston homes.March 8th, 2011 8:03am - New home prices in Houston fall, supply rises
A new report says many sellers of Houston homes are cutting prices and increasing their number of listings, looking to seize on a heightened level of buying activity as spring continues to approach.March 7th, 2011 8:01am - Some buyers becoming too picky
With the prevalence of foreclosures, low home prices and affordable mortgage rates, it may be one of the strongest buyers' markets in a number of years. However, real estate agents told the Washington Post that some first-time buyers' demands are becomingMarch 4th, 2011 11:23am - Home listing word choice makes a big impact
A recent Canadian study finds that the actual words real estate agents and home sellers use to advertise their properties has a significant impact on how quickly the home will sell, and what price it fetches.March 4th, 2011 8:40am - Texas housing market shows improvement
A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says that the Texas real estate market showed notable improvements in January, as home sales increased.March 4th, 2011 8:38am - Effects of government's mortgage overhaul to start early
While lawmakers in Washington are working to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over the next five or seven years, real estate experts say the impact from those decisions will be felt well before those changes become final.March 4th, 2011 8:37am - Houston ranks second nationwide for corporate relocation
Texas was the top state in the country last year for corporate relocation and expansion, winning the Site Selection Governor's Cup.March 3rd, 2011 11:43am - Mortgage rates fall sharply
After rising to start the year, mortgage rates have declined once again, giving those looking at Houston homes more flexibility when looking to buy properties.March 3rd, 2011 11:41am - New loan rules to promote 20 percent down payment
A number of media reports have said that new mortgage regulations, which are expected to be officially proposed soon by government regulators, may result in additional fees for borrowers who don't put 20 percent down.March 2nd, 2011 10:40am - Texas ranked among top job creation states
Affirming its place as one of the top-performing states in the country in the aftermath of the recession, a recent Gallup poll finds that Texas has one of the top job markets in the country.March 1st, 2011 11:00am
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