1.New home sales jumped in April; first increase since January
“New home sales rose more than expected in April, indicating the housing market may be heating up.”
2.Home resales rise 1.3% in April as housing market heats up
“Sales of previously owned homes rose nationwide in April as the housing market picked up some steam amid the spring selling season.”
3.Gain in Existing U.S. Home Sales Lifts Spring Prospects
“Previously owned U.S. home purchases increased in April as a bigger supply of properties lured buyers and raised prospects for a stronger spring buying season. “
4.US New-Home Sales Rose 6.4 Percent in April
“Sales of U.S. new homes recovered in April after slumping in the previous two months. But Americans are still buying new homes at a slower pace than they did a year ago.”
5.Apartments, condos get a bigger piece of the construction pie
“Hardly a week goes by in this market without an apartment complex selling for seven, eight, even nine figures.”
6.HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU ANNOUNCE NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES IN APRIL
“WASHINGTON – Sales of new single-family houses in April 2014 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 433,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 6.4 percent (±15.9%)* above the revised March rate of 407,000 and is 4.2 percent (±14.2%)* below the April 2013 estimate of 452,000.”
7.Talking real estate with Chris Vigil: A buyer representation agreement is good for both parties
“Things are heating up, literally. That goes for the real estate market as well. Summer is fast approaching and so to begins the season of buying and selling real estate. Many buyers will enter the market at this time because school is winding down.”
8.4 Things That Homebuyers Should Never Reveal
“You don’t need to be a world-class negotiator to nab a great deal on your dream home. More often, it’s a matter of knowing what not to say. One errant comment or paperwork misstep can compromise your negotiating position. Playing it close to the vest around home sellers and listing agents is critical.”
9.There are no quick fixes for inventory shortages, but market is moving in the right direction
“There’s been a lot of speculation about why for-sale inventory levels remain so stubbornly low.”
10.Sales of new homes climb, offering more hope for turnaround
“Sales of new single-family houses increased in April while total inventory rose to its highest level in nearly three and a half years, offering more hope that the housing market has shaken off a recent slump, the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development reported today.”
11.Technology is great, but never forget that real estate is about people and relationships
“Why is it that so many companies that come along with seemingly groundbreaking business models, and ideas that are supposed to change the face of the brokerage business, eventually end up becoming traditional real estate brokerage firms?”
12.Affordable Homes Underwater: What Can Be Done?
“Nationwide, approximately 30 percent or one in three homes, with a a mortgage and priced within the bottom third of home values is underwater, (mortgage debt higher than current home value) based on a report from the first quarter of this year. This is compared to about 18 percent of homes in the middle third and nearly 11 percent of homes in the top third, according to Zillow.com.”