1.Is U.S. Housing Unaffordable? It Depends on How You Chart It
“Rising home prices and interest rates made housing less affordable last year than at any time in the last five years, according to data released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors.”
2.Wall Street shrugs as global markets sink
“The Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were all lower in early trading. But the losses were modest compared with the declines in Europe and Asia, where many indexes were down more than 1%. “
3.Stocks head lower for a third day straight
“Concerns about slower economic growth in China and lingering tensions in Ukraine helped set the U.S. stock market on course for its third loss in a row Wednesday. “
4.Press Release – Debt Outstanding
“Washington, DC (March 12, 2014) – The level of commercial/multifamily mortgage debt outstanding increased by $41.2 billion, or 1.7 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2013, as all four major investor groups increased their holdings, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). On a year-over-year basis, the amount of mortgage debt outstanding at the end of 2013 was $90.5 billion higher than at the end of 2012, an increase of 3.7 percent.”
5.Barclays: Foreclosures rise across all sectors
“The March Mortgage Credit Tracker from Barclays notes that current mortgages are becoming delinquent at a ever-slowing rate. It’s a great trend that shows more homeowners are staying current on their mortgage.”
6.Fed Inflation Goal Is Elusive as U.S. Rents Stabilize: Economy
“Federal Reserve efforts to nurture a more robust rate of inflation this year are likely to fall short. The reason: the biggest gains in rents are probably over. “
7.Triangle MLS: Home sales, prices slow in February due to weather
“The pace of home sales in the Triangle tapered off in February, and real estate agents are blaming the harsh winter weather for keeping buyers inside.”
8.After Fannie and Freddie—Who’s next?
“It appears as if Washington, D.C., is near an agreement to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Investors in these assets surely are not thrilled with this news, but for others, this is a positive sign. Financials, and in particular banks, now have a new market to pursue and new profit opportunities. “
9.In 2009, these people avoided foreclosure. Will they lose their homes now anyway?
“Starting in 2009, the Obama administration helped hundreds of thousands of Americans avoid foreclosure by reducing their monthly mortgage payments for five years.”
10.‘Girl’s Guide to Real Estate’ aims to be ‘ultimate resource for women’
“In her 10 years as a San Diego-based real estate agent, Joda Mize, 36, saw one thing over and over again.Women were, overwhelmingly, the most engaged real estate clients she had. They asked more questions; they responded more quickly to phone calls and emails; and they were more deeply engaged.”
11.The Little Things: Small Fixes That Can Help You Sell
“When you sell your home, you obviously want it to show well. Staging your home with spacious-looking rooms that are free of clutter is a must for showings. And adding in small touches like flowers and house plants can really warm the place up and make it look appealing. But what sort of minor repairs should every homeowner consider when getting a house market ready?”
12.How to Choose a Commercial Real Estate Website
“Business Professionals are searching for and creating opportunities online, and Commercial Real Estate Professionals are no exception. The Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Industry is going through a paradigm change as the Internet delivers new approaches to extending market reach.”
13.Southern California February Home Sales Lowest Since 2008
“La Jolla, CA—Southland home sales dropped to the lowest level for a February in six years as many would-be buyers struggled with inventory constraints, credit hurdles and reduced affordability. The median price paid for a home edged up slightly from January and remained nearly 20 percent higher than a year earlier, a real estate information service reported. “
14.Fannie, Freddie common shares extend plunge
“WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Common shares of Fannie Mae FNMA -11.41% and Freddie Mac FMCC -16.34% dropped in early trading Wednesday, extending Tuesday’s plunge”
15.Real estate expert says buying frenzy underway in Valley
” Valley home values and prices have either leveled off or dropped slightly in the past two months. Mortgage and real estate expert Dean Wegner said a rise in interest rates and fear about Obamacare led to the declines. But now, it appears that things may be back on the way up. “