<a href="http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/" title="RealEstateEconomyWatch.com">RealEstateEconomyWatch.com

Homeownership Stronger in Higher Priced States

Support for homeownership is greater in states whose median home value is higher than the national average, according to a new national survey of homeowners.

By: editor; Thu, Jan 26, 2012

First-time Buyers Ended 2011 on New Low

First-time home buyers are an ever-shrinking segment of the real estate market. In December, The percentage of first-time buyers tied the lowest level ever recorded in the National Assocition of Realtors’ Realtors Confidence Index this year at 31 percent of the market.

By: Steve Cook; Wed, Jan 25, 2012

Obama HARP Expansion Builds on New Refi Momentum

In his State of the Union speech last night, President Obama announced he will push for legislation that will significantly expand the newly revised HARP program that allows underwater homeowners who are to refinance at today’s historically low rates.

By: editor; Tue, Jan 24, 2012

Luxury Listings Lag Cheaper Properties as Inventories Rise

Sales are typically slow in winter, but this January is proving especially sluggish for luxury homes even though sales for all existing homes have increased through the last three months of 2011.

By: editor; Mon, Jan 23, 2012

Mortgage Approvals Handicap Buyers

In another sign that buyers are having an increasingly difficult time getting mortgage financing, nearly one out of three home sales in December went to buyers paid all cash.

By: Steve Cook; Mon, Jan 23, 2012

Angry Buyers Shoot Agents out of Cannons

British buyers who are angry at their estate agents, property lawyers or mortgage brokers now can take out their frustrations on Web site by firing them out of a giant cannon at buildings for sale, with the chance to get their mortgage or rent paid for six months.

By: Steve Cook; Thu, Jan 19, 2012

Is the Problem Too Many Homes?

Is an oversupply of housing units the real reason that America is suffering from low prices? Is the glut is so serious that it will plague local housing markets and depress home values for a number of years to come?

By: Steve Cook; Wed, Jan 18, 2012

Thirty-somethings Got Socked on Homeownership

Americans in their thirties have seen their homeownership rates decline more over the past decade than either younger or older owners.

By: editor; Tue, Jan 17, 2012

RE/MAX Reports December Surprise

December home sales unexpectedly rose 5.7 percent over November, ending the year with the 6th consecutive month to show a year-over-year sales increase. Sales were 1.1 percent higher than a year ago, RE/MAX reported.

By: Steve Cook; Mon, Jan 16, 2012

Outlook 2012: Ingo Winzer Sees Tale of Two Cities

This year will be a tale of two cities. Local employment created by economic growth will drive housing market recoveries, and those markets that create more jobs will see property values and rents improve faster than others that don’t.

Market Commentary

By: David Lereah; Wed, Nov 9, 2011

4 Comments

A Client-Based Sales Approach for Agents

It’s more important than ever that real estate agents deliver value to consumers who have a negative view of real estate due to the real estate bust and are also empowered with a range of real estate information available on the World Wide Web.

By: David Lereah; Tue, Jun 28, 2011

When Will It Get Better?

The nation’s housing sector is having trouble lifting itself out of the enormous hole it has been in since the real estate bust began several years ago.

By: David Lereah; Mon, Apr 18, 2011

Housing Markets Continue to Struggle

The U.S. housing sector is struggling to gain upward momentum…

By: David Lereah; Sun, Jan 9, 2011

Caution and Hope for the New Year

As we begin the New Year, let’s look back before looking forward. Not since the Great Depression has America experienced such economic and financial deterioration in such a relatively short period of time.

By: David Lereah; Thu, Sep 9, 2010

Housing at the Brink

Now that the homebuyer tax credit is no longer able to prop up home sales, risks facing the housing market are heavily weighted to the downside.

By: David Lereah; Fri, Apr 9, 2010

At Long Last– Good News for Housing

Housing activity has slipped considerably during these past several months but help may be on its way. A primary obstacle to a long term housing recovery has been a lack of hiring. But recent gains in the job market portends favorably for a needed boost in housing demand.

By: David Lereah; Wed, Mar 17, 2010