1.After 8 years, the real estate market is finally looking normal again
“The beginning of the last decade saw an unprecedented spike in real estate prices, which culminated in the bursting of the real estate bubble in 2006 and a financial crisis to boot. Then came the crash, and prices fell precipitously, with the Case-Shiller Housing Index losing 33% from its 2006 peak to the 2012 trough”
2.Stocks: S&P500 hits all-time high
“The S&P 500, which gained 1.5% in the first three months of the year, has just passed its all-time high of 1,883.97 by going to 1,884.64 shortly after 10am. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Nasdaq were also higher in early trading Tuesday. “
3.MBA Releases 2013 Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Origination Volume Rankings
“According to a set of commercial/multifamily real estate finance league tables prepared by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Wells Fargo; J.P. Morgan Chase & Company; Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Eastdil Secured; KeyBank; PNC Real Estate; HFF, L.P.; Meridian Capital Group, LLC; CBRE Capital Markets; and Prudential Mortgage Capital Company were the top commercial/multifamily mortgage originators in 2013. “
4.U.S. Stocks Rise on Economy Optimism on Factory Report
“U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rising to an intraday record, as consumer and technology shares rallied and an increase in a manufacturing index boosted optimism the economy withstood severe winter weather. “
5.US Home Prices Rose in Feb. Despite Weaker Sales
“U.S. home prices rose in February from a year earlier at a solid pace, suggesting that a tight supply of available homes is boosting prices despite slowing sales.”
6.Commercial property transaction volume could hit 10-year high by 2016
“Commercial property transaction volume will reach $430 billion by 2016, exceeding the volume of 2006, according to a new U.S. real estate forecast based on a survey of 39 of the industry’s leading economists and analysts.”
7.Ten hidden costs of commercial real estate — part 1
“Although all known circumstances of a property need to be disclosed to a buyer by the seller as stated in a purchase agreement, issues creep up over the years of ownership. Laws change, improvements are made to the property, tenant’s needs change and some issues may not had been fully researched at the time of the purchase.”
8.10 hidden costs of commercial real estate — part 2
“In my previous article I discussed the first three hidden costs of commercial real estate: city business license fee, sewer fees and environmental cleanup fees. In this second article of a three-part series I’m highlighting other costs: capital expenditures, commissions and readying the space, vacancies, prepayment penalties and building code upgrades.”
9.Home Prices Rise in February Despite Weaker Sales
“WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices rose in February from a year earlier at a solid pace, suggesting that a tight supply of available homes is boosting prices despite slowing sales.”
10.Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac: Were They Ever Broken?
“The government has collected more than $20 billion in the past year from lenders who sold allegedly-subpar mortgages and related securities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with more settlements likely to come.”
11.When It Comes To Real Estate, Whose Target Are You?
“Targets” are specific groups of consumers with key common characteristics which lead to common, and often predictable, spending potential and buying habits. “Targeting” is the main push in marketing, advertising, and promotion. Businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals are intent on spending their dollars to gain the attention of consumers who are the best match for specific products and services, and real estate is no different.”
12.Home Prices Will Keep Rising, but Level-Off Soon
“Home prices continue to increase by double digit percentages on a year-over-year basis CoreLogic said today. The company’s Home Price Index (HPI) for February, an index that includes distressed sales, was up 12.2 percent compared to February 2013.”