Congress Considers the Bipartisan ‘New Markets Tax Credit’ Worthy of Permanent Status. There’s very little to create controversy over in the New Markets Tax Credit. What it aims to do is to shore up the economy and housing markets in financially depressed and outlying rural communities. Positive reports are coming out of Alabama, New Mexico, Florida,… Read More
Why Are Existing Home Sales Tanking? *check in tomorrow, for How to Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market. I wouldn’t exactly call it a plummet, but there’s been a definite, noticeable decrease in existing home sales. This is not to say that home buyers are disappearing, not even close, it’s to replay my mantra… Read More
Housing Industry Growth Unclear as the Nation Awaits Policy Decisions. Housing affordability, as in any market, is controlled by supply and demand. Currently, at least in the affordable housing sector, demand is exceeding supply. This news isn’t all bad however. Home Sellers are experiencing the advantage known as ‘Seller’s Market’ for the first time in… Read More
Did an Unseasonably Warm Winter Cause Spring Home Prices to Escalate? We experienced an unseasonably warm winter, at the same time housing prices pushed higher, according to Clear Capital’s recently released Home Data Index (HDI) report, showing national quarterly home price growth at 0.9 percent. The Spring market boom started early this year and stronger… Read More
WooHoo! Homes Values are Rising at a ‘Normal’ Pace Homeowners were thrilled in 2005 and early 2006 when prices skyrocketed and sales were faster than the speed of light. By mid 2006 it was evident that the rapid increase in home prices and the pace of home sales was wickedly unnatural and would most definitely… Read More
Urban Land Institute Report: The Suburbs Are the New City. Metropolitan areas were, for a long stretch, the ‘place to be’ for convenience, accessibility, and amenities. But suburban communities are growing at a remarkable rate. Does this indicate a shift in priorities? It could be that public transportation is spreading further from the city, and… Read More
20 Percent Down is Nice, but NOT Mandatory Due to misunderstood government regulations instituted in the past two or three years that were meant to stabilize the housing market, many folks are under the impression that they must have 20% down to buy a home. This is categorically untrue. Not only do 3.5% down FHA… Read More
Interactive Infographic: How Much House will $300,000 get you, and Where? Of course, as in the case of any price range, how much house you can buy for $300,000 will depend on location and condition. There are suburbs of each of the featured cities that are far more affordable, and within the cities, popular districts… Read More
Price Check: Housing Affordability Still Positive All of the cities on the ‘least affordable list below’ are located in California. This is not news, California as a whole has always lead the pack in rising home prices. The report and complete Index Listings are available here. In Arizona, Siera Vista and Tucson rank fairly high… Read More
The Housing Market Remains Promising in Light of Uncertain Global Economy Historically in a time presidential transition, our American economy has been perceived by ourselves and others as a bit ambiguous. This is not without merit. No one can truly predict what any future President will do. The state of the U.S. economy touches nearly… Read More
