Category: Housing Market News

This summer may be an ideal time to buy a house in Cleveland, and for several reasons. House prices appear to be stabilizing in the area, based on the latest data in the S&P/Case-Shiller pricing index. Mortgage rates are still incredibly low as well. Based on what we are seeing right now, we expect these favorable conditions to continue for the rest of 2012 and into 2013.

Atlanta’s housing market has been getting battered in recent months. At a time when home prices are starting to rise in many parts of the country, they are still significantly depressed in the Atlanta metro area. But that may be starting to change. After many months of plummeting values, we are starting to see a glimmer of stability. A recent report showed 2.3% appreciation — the first positive numbers in a long time.

Sales of new home rose last month. But what does that mean for the housing market and the broader economy? In this lesson, we will talk about where this data comes from, how it relates to similar metrics from the construction world, and what it all means to you as a consumer.

We used to think home equity was the best investment one could make, an unshakeable asset that always went up in value. Now we know better. The housing crash that started in 2008 woke us up to some new realities. Real estate values don’t always go up. Equity is not a sure thing. And it’s possible to lose almost everything you’ve put into your house.

The printable grocery coupon industry has grown by leaps and pounds over the last few years. It is a digital manifestation of the clip-and-save coupons we’ve been using for decades. It’s also big business for many. Last year, more than 300 billion coupons were distributed to shoppers across the United States.

In San Jose, California, there are fewer distressed (foreclosure prone) homeowners than there were a year ago. Sales prices for new and existing homes have declined. Condos currently account for a large portion of sales activity in the area. And rental units are harder to come by. These are just a few of the housing bits and pieces contained in a recent government report on the San Jose housing market.

After a period of depreciation, the Charlotte, North Carolina housing market has finally moved into the black. At least, in terms of year-over-year price changes. The local economy has a lot to do with this. The unemployment rate in the Charlotte metro area has greatly improved over the last year or so. Additionally, home buyers and investors are beginning to sense that price have hit bottom already, and are set to rise.

These days, college graduates are leaving college with more than a diploma. Many of them are walking out with a mountain of debt from student loans, as well. This will prevent many graduates from being able to buy a home down the road. This article explains how having too much debt can hurt one’s chances of getting a mortgage loan.

Since earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (a newly created government agency) has been investigating the overdraft fees charged on bank accounts. Specifically, they wanted to know if the banks are using unfair or deceptive practices when charging such fees on their customers, in order to maximize their revenues.

Do you have wood floors in your home? Do you know where the wood came from? If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t know the source of the material. But if it’s the byproduct of an illegal logging operation, your home could seized by the government. In theory, anyway. The National Association of Home Builders wants Congress to amend the Lacey Act to offer legal protection in such cases.