1.Where can the middle class actually afford to buy a home?
“FORTUNE — All told, it’s still a pretty darn good time to buy a home. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, while hefty student loan debt and the aftershocks of the financial crisis are forcing would-be-buyers to rent.”
2.Bay Area home prices soar
“Home prices in the San Francisco Bay Area surged in April as a booming tech industry helped the region avoid much of the slowdown seen in California and elsewhere across the country.”
3.Delinquency and Foreclosure Rates Continue to Improve
“WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2014) — The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.11 percent of all loans outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2014, the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2007. The delinquency rate decreased 28 basis points from the previous quarter, and 114 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. “
4.US Homebuilder Confidence Slips in May
“U.S. homebuilders are feeling less confident this month in their near-term sales prospects, reflecting doubts stirred by a sluggish start to the annual spring home-selling season.”
5.Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Dips to 4.2 Pct.
“Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages declined this week for a third straight week. The low rates could give a boost to the spring home-buying season, which has gotten off to a slow start.”
6.5 states with the highest foreclosure rates
“Although the housing market has been slowly recovering, foreclosures are still plaguing some markets. There were 115,830 foreclosure filings in April 2014 or 1 in every 1,137, down 20% from 144,790 for the same period last year, according to data released Thursday by RealtyTrac, a real-estate data firm. But they were still persistently high in some states, including Florida and Maryland.”
7.US homebuilder confidence slips in May
“U.S. homebuilders are feeling less confident this month in their near-term sales prospects, reflecting doubts stirred by a sluggish start to the annual spring home-selling season.”
8.Home builders losing confidence in recovery
“After three months of holding out steady hope, sentiment among U.S. home builders weakened slightly in May. A monthly index from the National Association of Home Builders slipped one point from a downwardly revised April figure. The index now stands at 45. Anything above 50 is considered positive sentiment. “
9.US homebuilder confidence slips in May
“U.S. homebuilders are feeling less confident this month in their near-term sales prospects, reflecting doubts stirred by a sluggish start to the annual spring home-selling season.”
10.Southern California housing market slowly heating up
“Southern California’s housing market improved a bit in April, with sales rising more than usual from March while slipping below the 2013 level by the smallest margin in six months, a market tracker said Tuesday.”
11.U.S. Sees Fewer Foreclosures as Banks Reclaim More Homes
“WASHINGTON — Foreclosure activity across the United States fell 1 percent last month, as banks scheduled fewer auctions even as they reclaimed more homes, a report from RealtyTrac said Thursday.”
12.The Importance of Seller Disclosures
“State and federal laws are strict in requiring sellers to tell what they know about the condition of their homes that isn’t obvious or discernable to potential buyers. Buyers can’t see behind walls or under houses, so they rely on truthful information from the seller about the operations, appliances and systems of the home. “
13.California April Home Sales
“An estimated 37,988 new and resale houses and condos sold statewide in April. That was up 15.4 percent from 32,923 in March, and down 2.7 percent from 39,051 sales in April 2013, according to San Diego-based DataQuick. “