Preliminary reports indicate that more existing homeowners than expected took advantage of the homebuyer tax credit to help buy a new home this year. Read More »

After admitting twice that the July home sales numbers released last week were “clearly worse than we expected,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan did not rule out the prospect that the Administration will revive the homebuyer tax credit that expired April 30. Read More »

He also announced the Administration will not support returning Fannie and Freddie to the role they played before they entered conservatorship in 2008, “where they fought to take market share from private competitors while enjoying the privilege of government support.” Read More »

Despite reports that sellers were dropping prices following the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit April 30, a new national report found that prices rose an average of 7.9 percent in the second quarter over the first, though price increases on listings slowed in June. Read More »

While foreclosures fell in nine out of the nation’s ten highest foreclosure markets during the past six months, they are increasing almost everywhere else in the nation as the changing causes of mortgage defaults bring foreclosures home to hundreds of communities. Read More »

Prices on homes ready to be occupied fell an average of 6.8 percent between May and June, but prices for damaged foreclosed properties increased by 5.9 percent during the same period. Read More »

The financial regulatory reform bill signed into law the week could result in more accurate home valuations, higher appraisal costs, faster closings, more completed transactions and maybe even higher prices, according to critics of a controversial quasi-governmental regulation that the legislation eliminated.

Take the Real Estate Rorschach Test and find out if you’re ready for the recovery! Read More »