Housing Market Report

(EARNINGS) Beazer Focusing on Fewer, Strong Markets

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Despite a 31 percent decline in homebuilding revenue, Atlanta-based Beazer Homes turns a small profit in its latest quarterly earnings -- something many of its competitors have not been able to do in the past year.

(CHINESE DRYWALL) Drywall Class Action Suit Gets Green Light

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:27:00 EST

A class action lawsuit is underway against a Chinese drywall-producing company and is quickly moving toward a trial in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The action could open the floodgates for a bevy of similar lawsuits.

(HOME VALUES) Home Prices Appear to be Stabilizing -- Finally

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST

Significant signs of stabilization in home prices are noted in the third-quarter, though overall median home prices fall again for the period.

(MULTIFAMILY) Study Identifies Emerging Opportunity Markets for Developers

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:54:00 EST

Developers and investors who focus on top employment markets have the best chance to become industry success stories in the early years of the next decade, find the authors of a recent study.

(LAND) Pulte Land Transactions Stunted, But Orders Up

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST

As net sales orders rebound for Pulte Homes for the latest earnings quarter and its inventories shrink, the company will need to purchase more land in its top markets. Pulte concedes the bargain prices they expected to see on sell-offs of land never materialized.

(CHINESE DRYWALL) NAHB Urges Companies to Talk to Affected Homeowners about Drywall Problems

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:51:00 EST

A National Association of Home Builders spokesman says companies that used suspect Chinese drywall need to reach out to their customers and 'buy time.'

(LENDING) New Condo Mortgage Rules Delayed

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:34:00 EST

Implementation of new rules regarding Federal Housing Admininstration (FHA) approvals of insurance covering mortgages for condominiums have been delayed to Dec. 7 to give the agency time to reassess the action.

(RENOVATION) Historic Tax Credit Expansion

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:32:00 EST

Bipartisan effort is renewed to provide further incentives for developers to use federal tax credits to renovate historic and older buildings based on energy savings.

(WEBINAR) Learn Today's Best Practices in Direct Mail Marketing

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:39:00 EST

Direct mail is still the workhorse in lead generation for senior living. If you aren't taking advantage of the latest data on what works and what doesn't when it comes to direct mail marketing to older audiences, then you're clearly missing profitable opportunities.

(APPLICATIONS) Mortgage Demand Surges

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:57:00 EST

Weekly mortgage demand surges as interest rates fall below 5 percent for the second time in as many months.

(LUMBER) U.S. Wood Producers Should Get Ready to Smile

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:56:00 EST

A trade association representing domestic lumber producers predicts an industry recovery will begin in 2010.

(TAX CREDIT) Update 2: Tax Credit Extension Passes House, Senate

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

President Barack Obama signs legislation to extend and expand the first-time homebuyer tax credit days after surprisingly lopsided votes in the House and Senate.

(TRENDS) Boomers Want Room to Personalize

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:41:00 EST

Having living space in active adult homes that can readily be used for a variety of purposes is becoming increasingly important to boomer buyers, as they seek smaller residences than they did during housing's boom years.

(INTEREST RATES) Rate Dips Below 5% Again

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

After three weeks on an upswing Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey finds the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaging 4.98 percent.

(APPRAISALS) Move To Halt Appraisal Code

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:57:00 EST

Lenders and mortgage brokers get a slight breather when the House Financial Services Committee approves an amendment to the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) which would eliminate the Home Valuation Code of Conduct.

(HOUSING OUTLOOK PANEL) Outlook Panel: No Magic Bullet for Declining 'McMansion' Demand

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:55:00 EST

The continued decline in demand for large, so-called "McMansion"-style homes that were all the rage in the early- and mid-2000s won't cease any time soon, say members of HMR's exclusive Housing Outlook Panel for November.

(TAINTED DRYWALL) Builders Not Surprised by Lack of Answers in Drywall Report

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:38:00 EST

The National Association of Home Builders is disappointed, but not surprised at a lack of conclusive findings in a federal report on Chinese drywall, NAHB' VP of Government Affairs Jenna Hamilton tells HMR.

(MULTI-USERS) Sharing Your Subscription Service

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:33:00 EST

CD Publications, owner and publisher of Housing Market Report, makes it easy -- and very affordable -- for you to share your subscription with others in your organization without violating federal copyright laws.

(SALES) Pending Homes Sales Rise Again

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Despite disappointing September numbers for new and existing-home sales, an index tracking pending home sales continues to show positive results.

(FED RATE) Fed Forgoes Rate Increase

hmr@cdpublications.com (HMR Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:34:00 EST

The Federal Reserve again cites improvements in the economy, but appears uncomfortable with increasing interest rates in the face of a slow economic and housing recovery.