RE News Articles
Real Estate Article
Inventory of homes for sale shrinks
Observers still worry about a shadow inventory of homes, but available listings in South Fla. dropped 35% in two years. Read more
Canadians told it’s time to buy a U.S. home
Advisors tell Canadians it’s a perfect time to invest in Fla. real estate, thanks to a strong loonie and stagnant prices. Read more.
For South Florida market, a hopeful sign
Fueled by foreign buyers and distressed sales, pending home sales rose as much as 40% compared to one year earlier. Read more.
Five reasons to buy a home now
The tax credit expired, but it’s still a great time to buy a home thanks to low mortgage rates and motivated sellers. Read more.
Fla. still on path to economic recovery
The Gulf oil spill hasn’t ruined the fragile recovery and modest growth (2.9%) will continue this year, says UCF report. Read more.
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54%
Lowest 30-year fixed loan rate since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971; it’s 5th time in 6 weeks for a record low. Read more
Mortgage rates tie record low
Mortgage rates were unchanged this week at 4.57%, matching last week’s record low. Read more.
International interest in U.S. homes on rise
NAR: Strength of dollar, value and desirability of U.S. real estate are factors; Fla. and Calif. are top 2 destinations. Read more.
Pending home sales surge continues
The index rose for the 3rd month in a row; 6% April jump reflects market strength and impact of the homebuyer tax credit. Read more
Canadians, Brazilians – even some Chinese – are purchasing, sometimes in bulk. The lure: rock-bottom prices. Read more
Post-tax credit buyers may save money
Buyers who missed the deadline lost $8K but could now save as much as $44K thanks to lower mortgage rates. Read more.
Legislation could baillout 5M homeowners
Financial reform act includes help for unemployed homeowners. A compromise bill could go to the president by July. Read more.
For months, analysts have said home sales can’t improve until employers start hiring, and it appears that has begun. Read more.
Fla. existing home sales rise in April
State sales up 27% compared to April ’09; condo sales up 55%. Fla. median prices up over March; national sales up 7.6%. Read more.
In South Florida, international buyers scoop up bargain property, particularly condos – a reason why home sales are rising. Read more.
Fla. existing home, condo sales up in1Q 2010
Statewide sales up 24% compared to 1Q ’09; condos up 67%. UCF economist: Data paints picture of continuing recovery. Read more
Condos with Water Views still desirable
Location, location, location: In South Florida, water-view condos did not drop in value as much as their land-view neighbors. Read more.
Buffett predicts downturn will end in 2011
“Within a year of so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us,” he wrote in his annual letter to shareholders. Read more
Fla to start adding residents again
It’s a small bounce, but population should rebound this year from its first loss in more than half a century, says UF estimate. Read more.
Home Prices post smallest drop in 3 years
S&P home price index finds surprising areas of strength and is up nearly 4% from its bottom in May 2009. Read more.
Shadow inventory unlikely to hurt marketAlmost 5M properties could face foreclosure soon, but high investor demand should limit any further impact on prices. Read more
It’s not if interest rates will rise but when
When the government stops buying mortgage-backed securities, rates will rise, but how far? It’s hard to predict. Read more.
Foreign investors like U.S. real estate
Latest AFIRE study: Foreign investors remain committed to the U.S. as their preferred real estate investment opportunity. Read more.
Quarterly survey finds uncertainty about the ongoing influence of unemployment, foreclosures and the financial markets. Read more
Report ranks Fla. schools 8th nationwide
The state ranked 5th in academic standards and school accountability, and earned a B-minus overall. Read more.
Foreign investors like U.S. real estate
Latest AFIRE study: Foreign investors remain committed to the U.S. as their preferred real estate investment opportunity. Read more.
*Obama signs bill: Buyer tax credit extened
It’s now law: Buyers get 5 more months to sign a contract, 7 more months to close; Fla. downpayment aid program extended; some move-up buyers get $6,500. Read more.
*UF study: Jobs hold back real estate
Uncertainty is the enemy of any economic recovery, and Fla.’s high unemployment rate could slow a real estate rebound. Read more.
*Pending home sales rise again
Sept. reflects eight straight months of increases; the year-over-year increase is the highest on record, says NAR Read more
*Fla.’s existing home, condo sales up in Sept.
Existing sales rose 34%, marking 13 months of increases as all MSAs improve. National home sales surge 9.4%. Read more* Nar: Pending homes sale on a record roll
Sales have, for the first time, risen for six months in a row. In July, the pending sales index was up 3.2% over June numbers. Read more.
*Pending Home sales: Upward trend continues
Up 3.6% since May, the index rose for a fifth consecutive month, the first time in six years for such a streak, according to NAR. Read more.
*Survey: People moving for happier reasons
Nearly 77% of families now move seeking a better life rather than as a result of a foreclosure or other problem. Read more.
*Fla.: Existing home. condo sales up in Aug.
Homes up 28% for 12th month in a row; condos up 45%. NAR notes sales ease, but still above year-ago levels. Read more.
*Florida is tops for business-friendly taxes
The state is in the top 10, but a leading lawmaker says the state must do a better job attracting new companies. Read more.
*Fla’s consumer confidence rises, fears ease
Survey director: Fla. consumers say that the worst is over and “surprised us with a higher-than-expected index.” Read more.
*Standard & Poor: Housing market stabilizes
Home prices rose for a third month, and “the numbers are very encouraging,” says the chairman of the S&P Index. Read more.
*Dallas Fed chief: “the worst is over”
The recession’s over, the economy isn’t in freefall and the housing market already hit bottom, says Richard W. Fisher. Read more..
*Existing home, condo sales up in 2Q 2009Fla.’s 2Q home sales also were 37.2% higher than the 1Q level; condo sales were up 45.3% over the 1Q figure, says FAR. Read more.
*UF: ‘Cautious optimism’ for Fla. real estate
Study calls job market key to real estate resurgence and finds positive economic trends, such as higher confidence by investors. Read more.
*Freddie Mac Reports Profit
In another sign of stabilization, Freddie Mac, which received $51 billion in taxpayer aid, reported its first profit in two years. Read more.
*Home prices close to correct
A UCF professor says homes have appreciated almost normally over time once you ignore the recent bubble and bust. Read more.
*Foreclosure bargains are disappearing
Some houses go under contract less than 90 minutes after they’re put on the market, says the founder of Foreclosure.com. Read more.
*Seller Frustrated as short sales collapse
Only 23% of short sales close, and 90% of real estate agents blame the lenders. Read more
*Luxury home sales rise again in South Fla.
Confidence seems to be returning, as well as a rising tide of money from outside the country. Read more.
*Welcome to the bottom: market begins rebound
By every measure except foreclosures, the housing market has stabilized and is now starting to recover. Read more.
*Foreclosures stabilize in key states
Foreclosure rates in states hit hardest by the bust – Fla., Calif. and Ariz. – stabilized in June, according to an AP analysis. Read more
*Index adds to spate of upbeat Housing news
Fresh signs emerged Tuesday that the market is stabilizing: S&P study shows price increase for the first time since 2006 Read more.
*Existing home sales show signs of recovery
U.S. housing market appears on the mend after worst collapse in 70 years, with increased sales in 40 of 55 major markets Read more
*Florida existing home, condo sales Up
June’s sales surpassed May’s. For 2nd month in a row, the existing home median price was higher than previous month’s. Read more.
*Bidding wars break out on low priced homes
Investors and first-time buyers are now competing for homes and condos listed at $200,000 or less
Read more
*Florida is a business-friendly state
“Not only is Florida a great place to call home, it’s a great place to do business,” says 2009 FAR President Cynthia Shelton Read more.
*June new home sales homes rise 11%
New U.S. home sales rose by 11% last month – the largest amount in more than eight years. Read more. Read more.
*Forbes names 10 best retirement spots. Two of the top 10 are in Florida: Palm Beach County at No. 4, and Brevard County at No. 6.
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n6-052709.cfm
