1.7 Markets Where Median List Prices Are Soaring
“Some housing markets are seeing jumps of 20 percent or more in median list prices. Realtor.com® recently highlighted some of the hottest markets to buy, based on the largest year-over-year median list price gains from February 2013-14. These are the cities that top the list”
2.O.C., L.A. and Inland Empire homes are overpriced, Trulia says
“Southern California is home to some of the most overpriced housing markets in the country. And that’s taking the wind out of the recovery.”
3.ECONOMY: Wages still stagnating, and low in Inland area
“It’s gotten a lot easier to find a job in Inland Southern California in the last six months, but workers are probably not getting significantly wealthier in the process, according to a federal report released last week.”
4.What to do if your home-equity line is about to end, Worried about your monthly bill shooting higher? You have options.
“If you’re worried that you won’t be able to make the higher payments, then don’t sit idly by. Talk to your bank and see if there’s anything they can do to change the terms of your home-equity line. “
5.3 reasons real estate agents are worth their 6% cut
“Even in this age of the Internet, real estate agents are still a “very integral” part of buying and selling homes, Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday. “
6.Gold slides back to $1,300 as US data lifts dollar
“Gold fell nearly 1 percent to a five-week low on Wednesday as the dollar firmed, equity markets strengthened and the U.S. economy showed signs of recovery, while support from physical buying also was lacking. “
7.US stocks decline after durable goods; technology shares hit
“U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday, with benchmark indexes struggling to extend gains into a second day, after data showed orders for longer-lasting products gained more than expected even as corporate spending on equipment declined.”
8.What happened to the traditional home buyer? California has the highest percentage of young adults living at home with parents. Existing home sales collapse.
“Existing home sales continue to operate in an anemic range. The latest existing home sales figures show that sales volume is back to where it was in July of 2012.”
9.U.S. Sales of New Homes Up in January
” U.S. sales of new homes rebounded in January to the fastest pace in more than five years, offering hopes that housing could be regaining momentum after a slowdown last year caused by rising interest rates.”
10.Why The Mortgage Marketplace Is Never Normal
“The Urban Institute has come out with a new study which suggests that as many as 1.2 million people per year are not getting mortgages because of tight lending standards. It’s an interesting and provocative report, one which is getting much attention, but is it true? Are tight lending standards responsible for 1.2 million missing loans?”
11.10 Ways to Not Get Screwed By Your Contractor
“You’ve saved your pennies, you’ve pinned all the things you love to Pinterest and now it’s finally time to fix up your kitchen or redo your bathroom or build that deck. Now comes the easy part: finding an excellent contractor and getting started. Right?”
12.5 Things You Can Do to Control Your Market
“Like all financial markets, the real estate market has a history of going up and down, and up and down. It’s always been that way, and it’s always going to be that way, isn’t it?”
13.U.S. Single-Family Home Investors Form Trade Group
“The largest landlords of single-family homes, including Blackstone Group LP (BX), have formed an industry trade group at a time their impact on housing and finance faces scrutiny. “
14.Can You Still Buy a Home With No Down Payment?
“Are you considering buying a home this year? Most would have you believe that you need at least a 3.5% down payment to get a mortgage. But there are actually a few ways you can get a home with 100% financing.”
TonyAlvarez.com