Monthly Archives: November 2011

Case-Shiller Index : 17 Of 20 U.S. Housing Markets Slipped In September

Standard & Poor’s released its September 2011 Case-Shiller Index this week. The index tracks home price changes in select cities between months, quarters, and years. The Case-Shiller Index for September showed drastic devaluations nationwide. Continue reading

Posted in Housing Analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Home Supplies Fall To An 18-Month Low

If you plan to buy of new construction in 2012, don’t expect today’s low prices. Like everything in housing of late, the market for newly-built homes appears to be improving. Continue reading

Posted in Housing Analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : November 28, 2011

Expect mortgage rates to be volatile this week. Your quoted mortgage rates could vary by as much as a quarter-percent from day-to-day. Continue reading

Posted in Mortgage Rates | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Conforming Loan Limits Unchanged For 2012

In 2012, for the 7th straight year, the national, single-family conforming mortgage loan limit will remain at $417,000. Continue reading

Posted in Mortgage Guidelines | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More Sales, Less Inventory : Home Prices Headed Higher?

The housing market continues to signal that a broad rebound is underway. In October, despite sparse home inventory, the number of properties sold increased 1.4% nationwide. Continue reading

Posted in Housing Analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Maximum FHA Loan Limits Restored To $729,750

As signed into law last Friday, maximum FHA loan limits are — once again — as high as $729,750. Continue reading

Posted in Mortgage Guidelines | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week : November 21, 2011

Mortgage markets went unchanged last week as Wall Street traded on new debt stress within the Eurozone, and stronger-than-expected economic data here at home. Continue reading

Posted in Mortgage Rates | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Housing Starts Rising; New Construction Turns The Corner?

Another day, another signal that the market for newly-built homes is improving. Single-Family Housing Starts rose to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 430,000 units in October – a 4 percent increase from September and the highest reading in 3 months. Continue reading

Posted in Housing Analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Homebuilders Getting Optimistic; Higher Home Prices Ahead?

Just two months after falling to a multi-month low, the Housing Market Index surged again in November, climbing another three points to 21 Continue reading

Posted in Housing Analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Government Releases Additional HARP Guidance For Underwater Homeowners

Tuesday, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled lender instructions for the government’s revamped HARP program. Continue reading

Posted in Mortgage Guidelines | Tagged , , | Leave a comment