Latest News from the National Association of REALTORS®

4th Quarter Metro Area Home Prices Boost Affordability

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:06:04 -0500

Housing affordability conditions improved in most metropolitan areas from softer existing-home prices and record-low mortgage interest rates in Q4.

Pending Home Sales Decline in December, Remain Above a Year Ago

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:10:29 -0600

After reaching a 19-month high, pending home sales eased in December but stayed above year-ago levels.

Homeownership Matters to Nation

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:44:23 -0600

President's speech supports homeowners and struggling housing market.

December Existing-Home Sales Show Uptrend

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:16:44 -0500

Existing-home sales continued on an uptrend in December, rising for three consecutive months and remaining above a year ago.

Pending Home Sales Rise Again in November, Highest in a Year-and-a-Half

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:27:17 -0500

Data shows pending home sales continued to gain in November and reached the highest level in 19 months.

Existing-Home Sales Continue to Climb in November

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:24:01 -0600

Existing-home sales rose again in November and remain above a year ago. Also released today were periodic benchmark revisions with downward adjustments to sales and inventory data since 2007, led by a decline in for-sale-by-owners.

Exterior Replacement Projects Rated Best Investment

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:06:06 -0600

According to the 2011-12 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, exterior improvements are among the most valuable home investment projects.

NAR Applauds Mortgage Industry Reform Bill

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:10:45 -0600

The legislation provides for sensible reform of the secondary mortgage market and protects the interest of taxpayers.

NAR Urges Comprehensive Mortgage Finance Reform

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:21:42 -0600

(Dec. 7) Reforming the secondary mortgage market is essential for consumers and the nation, NAR said in testimony today.

Workforce Housing Forum Addresses Crisis

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 11:43:05 -0600

NAR, in partnership with the National Housing Conference, hosted a forum in Portland, Ore., to develop solutions to the workforce housing shortage.

NAR President Testifies Before Congress

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 11:42:48 -0600

Moe Veissi testified before the House Financial Services Committee on the health and importance of FHA.

REALTORS® Praise FHA for Serving the Needs of Millions of Hard-Working Families

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 14:38:40 -0600

The Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance program plays an important and vital role in the nation’s housing financing system and has shown tremendous leadership and strength during the economic crisis, the National Association of Realtors® said in testimony today.

Pending Home Sales Jump in October

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:20 -0600

Pending home sales rose strongly in October and remain above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Growth in Commercial Markets Expected in 2012

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:31:17 -0500

Real estate in the commercial markets have been relatively flat this year, but improving fundamentals mean a more positive trend is expected in 2012.

October Existing-Home Sales Rise, Unsold Inventory Continues to Decline

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:39:17 -0600

Existing-home sales improved in October while the number of homes on the market continued to decline.

NAR Installs 2012 Officers

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:38:01 -0600

Maurice "Moe" Veissi was installed today as 2012 NAR president at the association's Board of Directors meeting during the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

Two Honorees Receive Distinguished Service Award

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:37:18 -0600

REALTORS® PeggyAnn McConnochie from Juneau, Alaska, and Adorna Carroll from Berlin, Conn., have received the NAR 2011 Distinguished Service Award.

REALTORS® Help Buyers Overcome Tight Mortgage Credit Conditions

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:42:17 -0600

Getting a loan is possible for those who know how to overcome the unprecedented obstacles, according to a presentation at the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

Housing Must Be a National Priority

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:40:59 -0600

Speakers at the Legislative and Political Forum at the 2011 Realtors® Conference & Expo sent a clear message: the struggling housing market needs to be a priority on the nation's public policy agenda.

U.S. Will Remain a Nation of Homeowners

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:13:57 -0500

The U.S. will not become a nation of renters; there are just too many benefits, both financial and otherwise, to own versus rent. That's according to the combined findings of several recent studies over a 31-year period across 23 metropolitan areas.

Every Market is a Second-Home Market

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:11:03 -0500

A diverse set of buyers and property types comprise the second-home sector and opportunities for second-home buyers exist in nearly every market, even in nontraditional, non-resort markets.

Realtors® Take Aim at Appraisals in Anaheim

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:37:06 -0500

In today's market, home appraisals that fail to provide accurate valuation are causing many sales to be cancelled or postponed. Today Realtors® and other real estate experts gathered to address this pressing issue.

Commercial Real Estate Market to See Improvement in Year Ahead

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:38:28 -0500

Depressed conditions in the financial and small business sectors continue to negatively affect the commercial real estate industry and the nation's economic recovery, according to economists at the Economic Issues & Commercial RE Business Trends Forum.

NAR's Global Initiatives Cross Borders

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:08:15 -0500

During the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, attendees can learn about NAR's global business tools and resources.

NAR's Global Initiatives Cross Borders

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:07:53 -0500

During the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, attendees can learn about NAR's global business tools and resources.

Realtors® Ready to 'Seize the Day'

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:22:20 -0500

Realtors® stand ready to protect and defend opportunities for homeownership, and many of them have gathered here at the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo to prepare for the challenges ahead.

National Bus Tour Underscores Importance of Home Ownership Matters

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:47:13 -0500

After travelling through 33 states and visiting more than 50 cities across the country, the National Association of Realtors® Home Ownership Matters Bus arrives in Anaheim, Calif., today for the Realtors® Conference & Expo.

REALTORS® Frame the Future of Homeownership

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 11:17:40 -0500

Hundreds of Realtors® volunteered their time and labor to frame homes that will later be used by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.

Chrysler Group LLC Puts Realtors® on the Road to Savings

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:52:16 -0500

During the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Anaheim today, NAR named Chrysler Group LLC as the "Official Automobile Manufacturer" of NAR and the latest addition to the REALTOR Benefits® Program.

3rd Quarter Metro Prices Soften; State Sales Rise Broadly

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:28:34 -0600

Although existing-home prices were down, sales rose in every state from a year ago.

Realtor.com Goes Global With Launch of International Site

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 13:45:03 -0500

Grab Your Passport because REALTOR.com® International is here, delivering 4.4 million for-sale property listings to buyers across the globe.

Realtor® Good Neighbor Award Winners Step Forward to Help People in Need

Wed, 2 Nov 2011 13:44:22 -0500

For the past 12 years the Good Neighbor Awards program has recognized Realtors® who are devoted to strengthening communities through volunteer work and helping those in need. Learn about this year's winners.

Pending Home Sales Down, Higher Than September 2010

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:13:33 -0500

In September pending home sales declined, although activity remains above a year ago.

Existing-Home Sales Down, Higher Than a Year Ago

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:32:53 -0500

On the heels of a strong gain in August, existing-home sales were off in September.

Government Plays Valuable Role in Homeownership

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:23:20 -0400

NAR President-Elect Moe Veissi outlined the association's recommendations for housing finance reform.

Preserving Home Ownership Tax Benefits Vital to Housing Market, Say Realtors®

Thu, 6 Oct 2011 10:21:42 -0400

As the leading advocate for housing and homeownership issues, NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy.

Housing Must Remain Nation's Top Priority, Say REALTORS®

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:53:52 -0500

We need to keep housing first on the nation's public policy agenda, because housing and homeownership issues affect all Americans, and a housing recovery is necessary for the nation's economic well-being, according to a message delivered today by NAR President Ron Phipps during the New Solutions for America's Housing Crisis forum.

Flood Insurance Stopgap Extension Passes

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:56:21 -0500

A longer-term extension is needed to ensure access to affordable flood insurance for homeowners.

Pending Home Sales Decline, Remain Above Year Ago

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:31:05 -0500

In August, pending home sales slipped with a mixed regional performance but are higher than a year ago

REALTORS® Strive to Preserve, Expand Housing Opportunities

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:55:39 -0500

To address a nationwide shortage of workforce housing, NAR, in partnership with the National Housing Conference, is hosting a forum in Washington, D.C.

REALTORS® Advocate Public Policies That Support Home Ownership

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:53:28 -0500

U.S. public policies have long supported home ownership because it contributes to stable communities, supports our nation's economy, and helps families build wealth. Removing this support would erode the ability of many Americans to establish and build their futures through home ownership.

Existing-Home Sales Rise, Up Strongly From Year Ago

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:36:52 -0500

Pending home sales declined in July but remain well above year-ago levels, according to NAR research. All regions show monthly declines except for the West, which continues to show the highest level of sales contract activity.

REALTORS® Call for Increased Lending, Pre-Foreclosure Efforts to Reduce High Inventories

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:53:04 -0500

Increased lending to creditworthy home buyers and more loan modifications and short sales are necessary to reduce the rising inventory of foreclosed homes and help stabilize and revitalize the housing industry and economy, according to NAR.

Increased Lending, Short Sales Necessary to Reduce High REO Inventories, Say REALTORS®

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:52:12 -0500

Improving access to affordable mortgage financing for qualified home buyers and investors and committing additional resources to loan modifications and short sales will help reduce current and future inventories of real estate owned (REO) properties held by government agencies, according to NAR.

Pending Home Sales Down In July but Up From 1 Year Ago

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:09:38 -0400

(Aug. 29) Pending home sales declined in July but remain well above year-ago levels, according to NAR research. All regions show monthly declines except for the West, which continues to show the highest level of sales contract activity.

Hurricane Irene Underscores Importance of Flood Insurance Program

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:05:49 -0500

If Congress doesn't act soon, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will expire on September 30, 2011.

Slowdown Impacts Commercial Markets

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:24:51 -0500

Weak economic growth and job creation affect growth projections, however modest improvements are expected over the coming year.

REALTORS® Call on White House to Host Housing Summit

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:43:51 -0500

NAR urges the White House to host a summit of policy makers, industry leaders, and government stake holders focused on revitalizing the nation's housing.

Existing-Home Sales Down, Up Strongly From a Year Ago

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:04:17 -0500

In July, monthly gains in the Northeast and Midwest were offset by declines in the West and South.

REALTORS® Rally for Joplin Recovery

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 11:35:07 -0500

As the National Association of Realtors® Home Ownership Matters bus crosses Missouri this week, a stop in Joplin, Mo., today will underscore Realtors®’ commitment to rebuilding the local community.

Realtors® to Regulators: Narrow QRM Definition Not Necessary to Assure Safe, Sound Mortgage Lending

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 16:27:18 -0500

A proposed rule by federal regulators to impose a minimum 20 percent down payment, stringent debt-to-income ratio requirements and rigid credit standards will deny millions of Americans access to safe, low-cost mortgages, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Realtors Urge Action on Debt Ceiling

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:42:15 -0500

“The National Association of Realtors®, on behalf of its 1.1 million members, their clients and customers, and the nation’s 75 million homeowners, urges Congress to resolve the mounting debt ceiling crisis before the August 2 deadline.

Homeownership Tax Benefits Must Be Preserved, Say Realtors®

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:41:14 -0500

Any changes to the mortgage interest deduction now or in the future could threaten recent progress toward stabilizing the housing market, critically erode home prices and values, destroy middle-class wealth accumulation and hurt economic growth.

Pending Home Sales Rise in June

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:40:32 -0400

Pending home sales increased, following a wide swing down in April and then up in May.

Pending Home Sales Rise in June

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:27:39 -0500

The Pending Home Sales Index rose 2.4 percent to 90.9 in June. All regions show double-digit gains from a year ago.

Bus Tour Brings Home Ownership Matters to Memphis

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:51:43 -0500

If regulators get their way, many qualified home buyers in Memphis, Tenn., may be shut out of the market very soon. That’s one of the reasons the National Association of Realtors® will be in town this weekend as part of its Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour.

Tornado Recovery Underscores How Much Home Ownership Matters

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:41:52 -0500

As NAR's Home Ownership Matters bus crosses Alabama this week, Realtors® are providing assistance to victims of the April 27 tornadoes with funds raised from Realtor® donations across the country.

Existing-Home Sales Slip, Prices Stabilize

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:28:52 -0400

Sales eased in June as contract cancellations spiked unexpectedly, although prices were up slightly.

Stabilizing the Housing Market is Key to the Economic Recovery, Say Realtors

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:15:20 -0500

Stability in the housing market will lead to a quicker and greater economic recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

REALTORS® Support Bill H.R. 2413

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:33:36 -0500

The bill offers a comprehensive strategy for reforming the secondary mortgage market and gives the federal government a continued role.

Owning a Home is Priority for Renters

Thu, 7 Jul 2011 09:04:06 -0400

New survey shows that more than three quarters of renters would be less likely to buy if they were required to have a 20 percent down payment.

Seven Out of 10 Renters Say Owning a Home is a Top Priority

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 14:50:49 -0500

Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to home ownership as a long-term goal.

Celebrating America's History of Home Ownership

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 14:45:35 -0400

The ability to buy, sell and own property has defined our nation throughout its history, and as the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 235 birthday, Americans continue to reaffirm their support of and aspirations toward home ownership.

Pending Home Sales Turn Around in May

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:18:56 -0400

Pending home sales rose strongly in May with all regions experiencing gains from a year ago, pointing to higher housing activity in the second half of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Realtors® Urge Regulators to Reconsider Narrow QRM Definition

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:48:49 -0400

The National Association of Realtors® is urging regulators to go back to the drawing board on the proposed Qualified Residential Mortgage rule at a news conference on Capitol Hill today.

Existing-Home Sales Decline in May with Market Constraints, Temporary Conditions

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:06:53 -0400

Existing-home sales were down in May as temporary factors and financing problems weighed on the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Realtor® Nationwide Open House Weekend Opens Doors to Home Ownership

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:38:25 -0500

Nearly half of all home buyers visit open houses during their home search. This weekend, those numbers may swell as buyers across the country take advantage of the Realtor® Nationwide Open House, June 4-5.

Realtor® Volunteering Works Program Announces 2011 Winners

Thu, 2 Jun 2011 14:24:12 -0500

REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Society has announced the recipients of the third annual Volunteering Works program, which matches Realtors® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors and awards them grant money.

NAR President Responds to TODAY Show

Wed, 1 Jun 2011 09:17:07 -0500

Show segment misled viewers rather than giving them accurate information about buying and selling a home.

NAR Provides Housing Opportunity Grants

Wed, 1 Jun 2011 09:16:22 -0500

Seventeen local and state Realtor® associations have been awarded over $60,000 for their communities.

Realtors® Continue to Push Congress for Comprehensive GSE Strategy

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:54:26 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® supports a secondary mortgage market model with some level of government participation that would protect taxpayers and ensure that creditworthy consumers have access to affordable mortgage capital in all markets at all times.

Pending Home Sales Drop

Fri, 27 May 2011 09:41:03 -0500

Pending home sales fell in April with regional variations following increases in February and March.

Realtors® Advocate Higher Loan Limits and Low Down Payment for FHA

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:55:38 -0500

The Federal Housing Administration plays a critical role in the nation’s housing financing system, providing safe, affordable mortgage financing to consumers in all markets during all economic conditions, the National Association of Realtors® said in testimony today.

Commercial Markets Stabilizing, Demand Growing

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:54:02 -0500

The improving economy and job creation mean growing demand for commercial real estate.

"30 Under 30" Realtors® Announced

Mon, 23 May 2011 15:33:55 -0500

The 2011 honorees have a determination to teach others, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ambition to try something new and take risks

Foreign Buyers Value U.S. Home Ownership

Wed, 18 May 2011 14:57:02 -0500

International purchases of homes in the U.S. surged by $16 billion this year, one of the highest increases in recent years, according to NAR's 2011 Profile of International Home Buying Activity.

Existing Home Sales Ease in April

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:20:19 -0400

(May 19) Existing-home sales slipped in April, although the market has managed six gains in the past nine months.

Member Survey Shows Commitment to Profession

Tue, 17 May 2011 15:00:00 -0500

REALTORS® have been focusing more on training to help clients in a housing market with unique challenges.

New Realtor® Certification Helps Members Grow Business

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:45:58 -0400

The National Association of Realtors® new BPO Resource certification helps Realtors® grow their business.

Minority Homeownership Award Winners Help Others Realize, Sustain American Dream

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:43:47 -0400

Housing and Economic Forecasts Points to Rising Activity

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:31:15 -0400

Home sales are expected to stay on an uptrend through 2012, although the performance will be uneven with mortgage constraints weighing on the market, according to experts at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C.

NAR Expands Home Ownership Through Diversity Initiative Grants

Fri, 13 May 2011 14:09:43 -0500

New Realtor® Certification Helps Members Grow Business

Fri, 13 May 2011 14:08:51 -0500

Home Forecast Points to Rising Activity

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:33:03 -0500

Existing-home sales have been underperforming by historical standards and will rise gradually but unevenly, according to NAR's chief economist.

Realtors® Urge Regulators to Rethink Mortgage Requirements

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:58:05 -0400

A proposed rule to define qualified residential mortgages (QRM) under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act would unnecessarily restrict access to home ownership.

Housing and Economic Forecasts Points to Rising Activity

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:57:06 -0400

NAR Awards Nearly $5 Million in Workforce Housing Grants

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:56:20 -0400

Realtors® strive to preserve and expand housing opportunities in communities across the country, and the National Association of Realtors® supported many of these efforts through the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants.

New FTC Rule Impacts Realtors®' Short Sale Business

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:55:39 -0400

The Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule from the FTC that aims to protect home owners from mortgage relief scams may impact real estate professionals who represent clients involved in short sale transactions.

Realtors® Go Green with New and Improved Designation

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:54:51 -0400

NAR is modifying its popular Green Designation program to focus on residential real estate practice.

Realtors® Advocate Mortgage Liquidity for Creditworthy Home Buyers

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:54:09 -0400

The pendulum on mortgage credit has swung too far in the other direction after the recent housing downturn and is putting an unnecessary burden on creditworthy consumers, impeding the economic and housing market recoveries.

Existing-Home Sales Rise in Most States in First Quarter; Metro Area Prices Mixed

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:53:20 -0400

Existing-home sales continued to recover in the first quarter with gains recorded in 49 states and the District of Columbia, while 22 percent of the available metropolitan areas saw prices rise from a year ago, according to NAR.

REALTORS® Urged to "Seize the Day"

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:40:21 -0500

Now is the time for REALTORS® to come to the aid of their industry, on behalf of the nation's home owners, aspiring home owners, real estate investors, and the nation's economy.

What's the Future for the Secondary Mortgage Market?

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:39:11 -0500

Reforms to America’s housing finance market must ensure a reliable source of affordable mortgage lending for creditworthy consumers, says NAR and other industry experts at a roundtable at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo

Housing Finance Market Reform Must Ensure Mortgage Affordability, Availability

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:41:32 -0400

Reforms to America's housing finance market must ensure a reliable source of affordable mortgage lending for creditworthy consumers. That's according to Realtors® and other industry insiders who examined the federal government's future role in the secondary mortgage market at the "Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: Obama Options and Beyond" session during the National Association of Realtors® 2011 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, here through May 14.

State Existing Home Sales Rise; Metro Prices Mixed

Tue, 10 May 2011 14:06:40 -0500

Existing home sales continued to recover in the first quarter, while 22 percent of metropolitan areas saw prices rise.

REALTORS® Working for Tomorrow's Home Owners Today

Mon, 9 May 2011 16:20:58 -0400

REALTORS® from across the country are meeting with legislators, public policy makers and industry leaders this week to address pressing concerns and issues that affect home owners, aspiring home owners and real estate investors everywhere as the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo begins.

Pending Home Sales Rise

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:07:29 -0500

March saw another increase in pending home sales, with contract activity rising unevenly in six of the past nine months.

Existing Home Sales Rise

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:14:42 -0400

(April 20) Sales of existing-home sales rose in March, continuing an uneven recovery that began after sales bottomed last July.

QRM Proposal Harms Borrowers

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:29:21 -0500

An in-depth analysis from NAR and others of the proposed qualified residential mortgage exemption shows it to be an unnecessary and very expensive wrench into the American dream.

Realtors® Commend Students for School of the Future Designs

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:20:55 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® welcomed middle school students from across the country this week to participate in the annual School of Future Design Competition.

New Bill Introduced to Speed Short Sales

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:00:54 -0400

(April 13) A new bill may soon bring relief to home owners who hope to avoid foreclosure.

Realtors® Applaud Bill to Speed Lender Response to Short Sales

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:35:34 -0500

A new bill to improve the process for approving short sales may soon bring relief to distressed home owners who are unable to keep their homes and hope to avoid foreclosure.

NAR Study Finds Americans Favor Walkable Communities

Tue, 5 Apr 2011 09:10:50 -0500

According to the Community Preference Survey, 56% of respondents prefer smart growth neighborhoods.

REALTORS® Urge Congress to Approach GSE Reform Slowly

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:57:17 -0400

(March 31) NAR today urged Congress to move cautiously when reforming government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Vacation, Investment-Home Shares Hold Even

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:01:30 -0400

(March 30) The market share of vacation- and investment-home sales held steady in 2010, although the sales volume declined with the overall market, according to the 2011 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey.
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Purchase survey >

Pending Home Sales Rise

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:28:48 -0400

(March 28) Pending home sales increased in February but with notable regional variations.

Existing-Home Sales Decline After Gains

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:03:40 -0400

(March 21) Existing-home sales fell in February following three straight monthly increases.

Tax Time Less Taxing for Home Owners

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:15:31 -0500

With income taxes due soon, home owners may see the value of home ownership a bit more as they take advantage of tax benefits.

REALTORS® Push for Flood Insurance Extension

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:56:59 -0400

(March 11) Congress needs to strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program to boost the real estate market recovery.

Realtors® Advocate Reform, Long-term Extension of National Flood Insurance Program

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:10:05 -0600

Congress needs to strengthen and reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for the long term to prevent undermining the fragile real estate market recovery, the National Association of Realtors® said in testimony today before Congress.

Home Ownership Helps Job Growth, Economy

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:48:37 -0600

President Ron Phipps told Congress that sustainable home ownership must be the goal when considering future federal housing policies.

Chicago Welcomes Home Ownership Matters Bus

Mon, 7 Mar 2011 11:00:13 -0600

NAR's month-long Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour kicks off this weekend at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show on Saturday, March 5.

NAR Bus Tour Opens National Home Ownership Dialogue

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 14:56:50 -0600

Throughout this month, consumers across the country can engage Realtors®, local officials, and their neighbors on an issue that literally hits close to home – home ownership – as the National Association of Realtors® kicks off a month-long Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour in cities across the nation.

Pending Home Sales Decline in January

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:38:12 -0500

(Feb. 28) Pending home sales eased moderately in January for the second straight month, but remain 20.6 percent above the cyclical low last June.

Commercial Real Estate Vacancy Rates to Decline

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:46:10 -0500

(Feb. 25) A stabilization trend is taking place in commercial real estate sectors, but in most markets rent will remain soft except for multifamily rentals.

Existing-Home Sales Rise Again in January

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:18:19 -0500

(Feb. 23) Existing-home sales increased 2.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.36 million in January and are 5.3 percent above the level in January 2010.

Home Price Stabilization Seen in Most Metro Areas

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:31:21 -0600

Home sales rebounded in 49 states during the fourth quarter with 78 markets experiencing price gains from a year ago.

Realtors® Praise FHFA

Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:27:13 -0600

"We commend FHFA for the proposed rule to ban private transfer fees, which often decrease affordability and negatively impact equity," said NAR President Ron Phipps.

Pending Home Sales Continue Uptrend

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:17:22 -0600

Pending home sales improved further in December, marking the fifth gain in the past six months.

New ABR App for iPhone Helps Realtors Connect with Buyers

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:07:10 -0600

Realtors® who work with buyers now have a new resource available through the ABR® App for the iPhone.

Existing-home Sales Rise Sharply

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:30:59 -0500

(Jan. 20) Sales increased for the fifth time in the past six months. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said sales are on an uptrend.

Owners, Renters Agree: Owning a Home is a Smart Decision

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:32:47 -0500

A substantial majority of both home owners and current renters agree that owning a home is a smart decision over the long term, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive.

Real Estate Today Celebrates 100th Show

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 08:42:40 -0600

Real Estate Today, the national talk radio show produced by the National Association of Realtors®, celebrates its 100th show this weekend.

Pending Sales Indicate Gradual Recovery

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:40:15 -0600

Pending home sales rose 3.5 percent to 92.2 based on contracts signed in November.

Second Century Ventures Invests in Ifbyphone

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:11:06 -0600

NAR's strategic investment fund, Second Century Ventures, has invested in Ifbyphone to develop solutions that enhance voice interactions for its more than 1.1 million Realtor® members.

Existing-Home Sales Resume Uptrend

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:42:16 -0500

(Dec. 22) Existing-home sales got back on an upward path in November, resuming a growth trend since bottoming in July.

Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:59:06 -0500

(Dec. 15) As part of the 2010-11 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS® rated exterior replacement projects among the most cost-effective.

Strong Rebound in Pending Home Sales

Thu, 2 Dec 2010 10:54:14 -0500

Pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June.

Realtors® Say Mortgage Interest Deduction Vital to Home Ownership, Economy

Wed, 1 Dec 2010 11:58:58 -0600

Changes to the mortgage interest deduction could erode home prices and values by up to 15%, says NAR President Ron Phipps.

REALTORS® Give Thanks to American Troops and their Families this Holiday Season

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:49:56 -0600

As the holiday season approaches, the National Association of REALTORS® is giving thanks to American troops.

IdentitySecure Gives Realtors® Peace of Mind

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:19:13 -0600

Identity theft is becoming one of the fastest growing crimes in America, and the National Association of Realtors® is committed to helping members keep their identities safe. Toward that end, the IdentitySecure Program for Realtors® is now available through NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program in partnership with Affinion Benefits Group, LLC.

Housing Market Recovery Depends on Jobs, Access to Credit, Says NAR

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:45:46 -0600

Although the recent trend of rising long-term borrowing rates may mean higher mortgages for consumers in the coming months, the greater obstacles to housing market recovery are job creation and availability of credit.

NAR Praises FHA's Increased Stability

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:13:32 -0600

The latest independent audit of the Federal Housing Administration shows the agency's financial condition has improved from last year.

NAR Extends Campaign to Help Veterans

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:39:12 -0600

NAR is extending its widely successful Facebook Causes campaign, "Operation Home Relief." The campaign was launched just last month to help military families obtain foreclosure assistance.

NAR Installs 2011 Officers

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:47:32 -0600

Ron Phipps was installed today as 2011 NAR president at the association's Board of Directors meeting during the REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

Realtors® Cautiously Optimistic about Future of Housing Market

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 15:42:45 -0500

Real estate experts were cautiously optimistic about the current and future state of the industry at today's State of the Real Estate Industry forum during the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

Market Challenges, New Technologies Converge to Change Realtor®-Consumer Relationship

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 15:22:23 -0500

A dynamic mix of economic conditions and new technologies are transforming the way Realtors® work with buyers, sellers and investors in today's real estate market.

Steady Improvement Predicted for Commercial Market

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 15:18:43 -0500

While still experiencing challenges, the commercial real estate market could see signs of steady improvement in the near future, specifically concerning lending.

NAR Home Buyer and Seller Survey Shows Value of Long-Term Home Ownership

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 15:18:04 -0500

Home buyers today have affirmed a long-term view of home ownership, the typical seller is experiencing positive returns and the vast majority of home owners see their property as a good investment, according to the latest consumer survey of home buyers and sellers.

Pending Home Sales Slip but Modest Recovery Expected in 2011

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:58:19 -0500

Pending home sales retreated after two monthly gains, signaling an uneven recovery entering 2011.

Home Ownership Matters Take Priority at Conference

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 09:58:22 -0500

The impact of home ownership on individuals, communities, and the nation’s economy will be front-and-center at NARdiGras 2010.

Evolved e-PRO® Program Helps Realtors® Stay on Top of Technology Trends

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 14:28:18 -0500

Evolved e-PRO® Program Helps Realtors® Stay on Top of Technology Trends

Realtors Help New Orleans Family Realize Dream of Homeownership

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 10:10:01 -0500

Owning a home is part of the American dream, and that dream came true today for the Hayes family of New Orleans, thanks to the National Association of Realtors® and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Realtor Good Neighbor Award Winners Devoted to Strengthening Communities

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:11:49 -0500

The individuals named as this year's REALTOR Magazine Good Neighbor Award winners are leading examples of Realtors commitment to communities, whether in their own backyard or halfway around the world.

Existing Home Sales Show Strong Gain

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:35:27 -0500

Existing-home sales rose again in September, affirming that a sales recovery has begun.

Realtors® Support FHFA Proposal to End Private Transfer Fees

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:43:47 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® strongly supports the proposed guidance from the Federal Housing Finance Agency to prevent government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks from investing in mortgages encumbered by private transfer fee covenants.

Nearly Eight in 10 Americans Still Believe Buying a Home Makes Good Financial Sense

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:37:05 -0500

Nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision, despite ongoing challenges with the economy and housing market. That's according to the 2010 National Housing Pulse Survey, an annual report released today by NAR.

NAR, NHC Help Tackle West Coast's Workforce Housing Issues

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:39:37 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® and the National Housing Conference have partnered to host a forum in Honolulu today to address workforce housing with the goal of creating more affordable housing opportunities.

NAR Says Families Will Suffer if Foreclosure Freeze Continues

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:10:52 -0500

Thousands of first-time and move-up buyers who hoped to make a foreclosed property their new home now face uncertainty, anxiety and possibly remorse as they worry that closing on their desired property could be in jeopardy.

NAR's HouseLogic Launches Campaign to Help Military Families Sustain Homeownership

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:38:51 -0500

The National Association of Realtors®' HouseLogic will donate $1 to USA Cares every time someone "likes" the Operation Home Relief Cause page on Facebook and will match individual donations made to the cause, up to $20,000.

Realtor® and Industry Veteran Joins REALTORS® Federal Credit Union

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 10:11:05 -0500

Benny McMahan, a Realtor® and former president-CEO of the Texas Association of Realtors®, recently joined the REALTORS® Federal Credit Union as the director of industry relations.

Pending Home Sales Show Another Gain

Mon, 4 Oct 2010 13:05:00 -0500

Pending home sales have increased for the second consecutive month, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR Still Advocating Flood Insurance Reforms and a Longer Term, as 1-Year Extension Becomes Law

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:03:21 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® said today it was pleased that Congress passed and the president signed into law a one-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program before it expires tomorrow, but still believes a longer extension and program reforms are needed to provide fairness and continuity to the NFIP.

Attainable, Sustainable Homeownership

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:03:24 -0500

NAR provides recommendations to restructure the secondary mortgage market at Regional Conference on Housing Finance Reform.

Realtors® Advocate Attainable, Sustainable Homeownership at Housing Finance Reform Conference

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:20:30 -0500

Attainable and sustainable homeownership should be the goal for restructuring the secondary mortgage market, said National Association of Realtors® President Vicki Cox Golder today at a Regional Conference on Housing Finance Reform.

NAR Urges Comprehensive Flood Insurance Reform as Senate Passes Short-Term Bill

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:02:55 -0500

Congress needs to act quickly to reauthorize and strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program for the long term.

Existing-Home Sales Up

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:41:11 -0500

Existing-home sales increased 7.6 percent to 4.13 million in August.

NAR Hails Bill to Hasten Lender Response to Short Sale Requests

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:42:52 -0500

Homeowners who are underwater with their mortgage may find that relief is on the way from a bill strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors® that would impose a deadline on lenders to respond to short-sale requests.

Pending Home Sales Rise

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:50:07 -0500

Following a sharp drop after the tax credit expiration, pending home sales rise modestly.

Katrina Anniversary Underscores Importance of Protecting Your Home and Family

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:21:24 -0500

It's been five years since Hurricane Katrina came roaring into the Gulf Coast, dramatically changing New Orleans and the lives of those who called it home.

Commercial Real Estate Remains Soft but Favors Business Expansion

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:55:44 -0400

Commercial real estate sectors, hurt by weak job growth, are offering incentives in many areas that are conducive to business expansion, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

July Existing-Home Sales Fall as Expected but Prices Rise

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:20:33 -0400

Existing-home sales were sharply lower in July following expiration of the home buyer tax credit but home prices continued to gain, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Realtor® Award Finalists Find Ways to Give

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:53:51 -0500

Realtors® play an important leadership role in building our communities, sharing their time and talents to help others in need. Ten such individuals were recognized today by the National Association of Realtors® as finalists for REALTOR® Magazine's 2010 Good Neighbor Awards.

NAR Hails Proposal to Restrict GSE Mortgages with Private Transfer Fees

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:13:14 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® today commended the Federal Housing Finance Agency for taking steps to restrict government-sponsored enterprises - Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks - from investing in mortgages with private transfer fee covenants.

Workforce Housing Forum Aims to Help Working Families Achieve Homeownership

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:20:58 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® and the National Housing Conference partnered to host a regional forum in Austin, Texas, today to discuss workforce housing issues and help create more affordable housing opportunities for public and private sector workers in the south central region.

Homeownership and Stable Communities Go Hand-in-Hand

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:20:32 -0500

Homeowners are more active in their communities, benefit from improved education opportunities, and report higher levels of self-esteem and happiness when compared to renters, according to new research from NAR.

Q2 Metro Prices Stable

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:56:16 -0500

The trend in firming home prices solidified with more areas showing increases from a year ago.

Pending Home Sales Ease

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 09:53:21 -0500

(Aug. 3) Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said lower home sales are expected in the short term.

Tom Glatt to Leave REALTORS® Federal Credit Union, Jane Pannier Announced as New Acting President and Chief Executive Officer

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:40:25 -0500

Tom Glatt, President and CEO of REALTORS® Federal Credit Union, has announced that he will be stepping down effective August 1st. Tom was named President and CEO of REALTORS® FCU on December 2008.

NAR Says Congress Needs to Act Soon to Ease Credit in Challenged Commercial Real Estate Markets

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:14:56 -0500

Testifying before a House panel today, Jim Helsel, treasurer of the National Association of Realtors® and commercial real estate specialist, told members that a strong commercial real estate sector is vital to millions of U.S. jobs and helps keep the national economy afloat.

Rural Housing Program Restored

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:17:50 -0500

The program would guarantee home loans for rural buyers.

Thousands of Rural Home Buyers Aided by Passage of Housing Funding Measure

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:37:19 -0400

The restoration of the single-family rural housing program that would guarantee home loans for rural buyers was passed by the Senate today and is on its way to President Obama.

Existing-Home Sales Slow, Above Year Ago

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:43:25 -0500

Existing-home sales slowed in June, but remained at relatively elevated levels.

Letter to Editor: FSBO Story in Wausau Distorts NAR Study

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:35:40 -0500

The Wausau Daily Herald did its readers a great disservice by running the StatePoint Media article, "Get more money when selling your home," July 10.

House Passes Flood Insurance Reform Bill That Extends Program to 2015

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:07:33 -0500

The House today approved a flood insurance reform bill that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program to September 30, 2015, a provision strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR, NHC Help Bring Homeownership to the Heartland

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:56:37 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® and the National Housing Conference have partnered to host a regional workforce housing forum today in Minneapolis. Bring Workers Home will focus on workforce housing challenges in the Midwest and highlight some of the region’s most successful housing programs.

International Interest in U.S. Homeownership Increases, Realtors® Report

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 14:37:06 -0500

International home buyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors®' 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extended

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:22:23 -0500

Congress also reauthorized the National Flood Insurance Program; both bills headed to President.

Pending Home Sales Drop as Expected

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 10:31:20 -0500

Following a surge driven by the home buyer tax credit, pending home sales fell with the expiration of the qualified buyers purchase contract deadline.

Buyers Lose Unless Congress Acts

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:44:34 -0400

(Jun. 28) Up to 180,000 home buyers will lose their home buyer tax credit if Congress fails to pass an extension to it by June 30.

NAR Hails Passage of Flood Bill Extension by House

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:46:45 -0500

The bill would make flood insurance coverage retroactive and would include all approved applications since that date. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Realtor® Volunteering Works Program Names Winners, Helps Budding Charities

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:12:15 -0500

REALTOR® Magazine and the Good Neighbor Society have announced the winning applicants of the second Volunteering Works, an annual program that matches Realtors® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors and awards them grant money.

May Shows a Continued Strong Pace for Existing-Home Sales

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:38:03 -0500

Existing-home sales remained high in May on buyer response to the tax credit, characterized by stabilizing home prices and historically low mortgage interest rates.

Springfield, Mass., Receives 'Ambassador' Designation for Promoting and Sustaining Area Homeownership

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:48:05 -0500

The city of Springfield, Mass., has been named a 2010 Ambassador City by the National Association of Realtors® and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for Buy Springfield Now, a program to promote and sustain affordable homeownership.

Realtor® Content Resource Helps Realtors® Extend Their Value Beyond the Buy

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:01:19 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® is making it easier for members to access expertly written, ready-to-use consumer articles through the new Realtor® Content Resource. This is a no-cost, members-only benefit available through HouseLogic.com, NAR’s homeownership site for consumers.

NAR, NHC Join Forces to Bring Workers Home

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:38:46 -0500

To help create more affordable housing opportunities for public and private sector workers in the Southeast, the National Association of Realtors® has partnered with the National Housing Conference to host a regional forum in Atlanta today to address the issue of workforce housing.

NAR Urges Senate to Pass Homebuyer Extension

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:50:24 -0500

NAR commends three senators for introducing a measure to extend the present home-buyer tax credit closing deadline to Sept. 30.

NAR Grants Expand Local Affordable Housing Initiatives

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:46:53 -0500

NAR has awarded $50,000 to 15 local and state Realtor® associations through the Housing Opportunity Fund grants program, to help expand affordable housing opportunities.

Pending Home Sales Surge Continuing

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 09:36:00 -0500

Pending home sales have risen for three consecutive months, reflecting the broad impact of the home buyer tax credit and favorable housing affordability conditions.

"30 Under 30" Realtors® Reflect on Success, Look Toward the Future

Tue, 1 Jun 2010 13:14:11 -0500

REALTOR® Magazine unveiled the 2010 "30 Under 30" honorees, and marked the 10th anniversary of the program.

Existing-Home Sales Improve in April

Mon, 24 May 2010 13:08:57 -0500

Existing-home sales rose on tax credit, improving consumer confidence, affordability.

NAR Offers Congress Ideas to Strengthen a Successful VA Home Loan Program

Thu, 20 May 2010 16:20:16 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® offered some suggestions to Congress today toward making a good Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Program even better.

Realtors® Reshaping Real Estate Technologies

Fri, 14 May 2010 14:55:53 -0500

More than nine out of 10 home buyers use the Internet as a search tool, and Realtors® at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here this week are engaged in ways to improve and enhance consumers' online real estate experience.

NAR Awards More Than $39,000 in Grants to Support Local and State Diversity Initiatives

Fri, 14 May 2010 13:37:12 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® has awarded $39,450 to 15 local and state Realtor® associations through its Diversity Initiative Grant Program.

Realtors® Help Working Families Purchase and Keep Their Homes

Fri, 14 May 2010 10:10:22 -0500

The country's tight economy and challenging mortgage market are making it even more difficult for low- to moderate-income working families to purchase and keep their homes. Addressing those challenges was the focus of the "Workforce Housing Solutions" forum at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here this week.

Two Economists Project Improving Housing Market but Timing Uncertain

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:18:42 -0400

Two top housing economists forecast some encouraging but tempered predictions for the housing market over the next few years during an economic session at the National Association of Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Expo today.

Realtors® Help Counsel Distressed Sellers Through Short Sale Process

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:18:17 -0400

Realtors® at today's "Short Sale Seller Advisory: Professional Development Forum" at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo today learned how to better educate and advise sellers to overcome the hurdles of a short sale.

Realtors® Talk Real Estate on Capitol Hill

Wed, 12 May 2010 16:36:07 -0500

Affordable and safe financing, GSE reform on the agenda during their visits with members of Congress.

Realtors® Prepare the Way for the Next Generation of Real Estate Leaders

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:01:00 -0400

In their efforts to reshape the real estate industry, Realtors® understand the importance of cultivating tomorrow's leaders.

Recovery Requires Reshaping the Real Estate Industry, Say Realtors®

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:52:09 -0400

Banks that can accurately determine changing value, in real time, of real estate properties that back loans in their portfolios will have a competitive edge in the future.

"Real Time" Portfolio Awareness is Key to Banks' Success

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:51:31 -0400

Banks that can accurately determine changing value, in real time, of real estate properties that back loans in their portfolios will have a competitive edge in the future, predicted Realtor® John McCrocklin, president of John McCrocklin Real Estate and Associates, Austin, Texas.

Housing Market is Stabilizing and on its Way to a Recovery, says FHA Commissioner

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:50:30 -0400

FHA has played a fundamental role in helping stabilize the nation’s housing market; however, FHA reform is critical for keeping the housing and economic recovery on the right track.

Improving Liquidity, Reducing Inventory Critical

Tue, 11 May 2010 15:11:11 -0500

Restoring balance in the U.S. mortgage finance system is essential to stabilizing the real estate market.

Home Prices Rising in More Metro Areas, First Quarter Sales Up From a Year Ago

Tue, 11 May 2010 09:30:07 -0500

A growing number of metropolitan areas are experiencing price gains from a year ago.

REALTOR® Legislative Meetings Kick Off

Mon, 10 May 2010 15:55:18 -0500

Real Estate Summit, May 11-13, to focus on stabilizing the mortgage finance system.

New MLS Standards Will Help Realtors® Better Serve Home Sellers and Buyers

Fri, 7 May 2010 11:24:39 -0500

Real estate data sharing on multiple listing services is about to get easier, with the Real Estate Standards Organization's approval of real estate property standard names.

Pending Home Sales on an Upswing

Tue, 4 May 2010 09:55:55 -0500

Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR Urges Extension of Rural Housing Program

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:26:03 -0500

NAR asks the Senate to approve House bill to extend loan commitment authority to help families purchase homes in rural areas, which is set to expire Friday, April 30.

Existing-Home Sales Rise on Home Buyer Tax Credit and Favorable Market Conditions

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:28:42 -0500

Buyers responding to the homebuyer tax credit and favorable affordability conditions boosted existing-home sales in March, marking the beginning of an expected spring surge, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR to Press Congress for Immediate Action on Flood Insurance Renewal

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 16:13:41 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® said today that it will continue to press Congress for speedy action to renew authority for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program that expired March 28. Congress is on its spring recess and will return April 12.

Pending Home Sales Show Healthy Gain, Hint at Spring Surge

Mon, 5 Apr 2010 10:07:23 -0500

Pending home sales rose in February, potentially signaling a second surge of home sales in response to the home buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Vacation-Home Sales Up in 2009 but Investment Sales Down

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 11:23:32 -0400

Vacation-home sales recovered in 2009 while investment sales fell sharply, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Realtors® Remain Leading Advocates for Fair Housing Laws

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 11:22:56 -0400

As outspoken supporters for fair housing issues and homeownership, Realtors® will join the nation in recognizing “Fair Housing Month” this April.

NAR Testifies About GSE Structures

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:25:39 -0500

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be restructured as government-chartered, non-shareholder owned authorities.

New Data: February Existing-Home Sales

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:25:13 -0500

Existing-home sales declined slightly in February, with modest gains in the Northeast and Midwest offset by softer sales in the South and West.

NAR Calls for Affordable Disaster Insurance Policy

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:11:48 -0500

(Mar. 10) Charles McMillan, immediate past president of NAR, told Congress that it must improve affordability of property insurance for natural disasters.

Pending Home Sales Down

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 10:13:18 -0600

Pending home sales fell 7.6 percent and additional declines are expected from abnormal weather conditions.

New Data: January Existing-Home Sales

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:51:10 -0600

Existing-home sales fell in January but are above year-ago levels, and prices are holding steady.

REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Awards Seek Entries, Winners Receive $10,000

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:02:30 -0600

Realtors® is now accepting applications for the 11th annual REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards.

New Data: Commercial Market Forecast

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:58:25 -0600

While the recent recession negatively impacted commercial real estate, there is hope for improvement.

Fourth Quarter Existing-Home Sales Surge in Most States, Prices Up in More Areas

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:35:56 -0600

Strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®.

Pending Home Sales Stabilize, Remain Above Year-Ago Levels

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 15:41:05 -0500

Pending home sales have leveled from a market swing driven by response to the home buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

REALTORS® Donate $550K to Haiti Relief and REALTOR® Good Neighbor Winner

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:18:24 -0500

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation of the National Association of Realtors® is contributing $550,000 to the relief of victims of the Haiti earthquake, and is calling upon its 1.2 million members to help.

NAR and Lowe's Donate Relief Aid to Haiti and Good Neighbor Winner

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:46:26 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® and Lowe’s, a partner in NAR’s REALTOR Benefit® Program, are coming together to contribute relief to Haiti and the victims of the country’s recent earthquake. Together NAR and Lowe’s are leading the charge as Realtors® spread the awareness of good neighbors to those in desperate need.

NAR Names New Executive Director to the Real Estate Standards Organization

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:12:26 -0500

National Association of Realtors® member Travis Wright, a 30-year real estate and technology industry veteran, has been appointed to executive director of the Real Estate Standards Organization.

Realtor® Grant and Mentoring Program Seeks Nominations

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 15:11:53 -0500

REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Society is seeking entries for Volunteering Works, a program that matches Realtors® who would like to expand their community service outreach with a mentor and grant money. Mentors are part of the Good Neighbor Society, past recipients of the magazine’s annual Good Neighbor Award for volunteerism.

Pending Home Sales Down

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 14:48:44 -0500

Pending home sales fell after a surge of activity in preceding months to beat the original deadline for the first-time home buyer tax credit but remains comfortably above a year ago.

Another Big Gain in Existing-Home Sales as Buyers Respond to Tax Credit

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:14:19 -0500

Existing-home sales rose again in November as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original November 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Exterior Remodeling Proves Best Bang for Your Buck, Realtors® Report

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:19:57 -0500

Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report show that small-scale exterior projects are most profitable at resale.

Employer-Assisted Housing Benefits Work

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:29:07 -0500

These forms of benefits have proven effective at helping working individuals purchase and keep their homes.

Nine Consecutive Gains for Pending Home Sales

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:45:32 -0500

Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR Grants $50,000 to Fund Local Realtor® Affordable Housing Activities

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:07:06 -0500

To help promote and expand local affordable housing opportunities in communities across the country, the National Association of Realtors® has awarded $50,950 to 16 local and state Realtor® associations through the Housing Opportunity Fund grants program.

Existing-Home Sales Record Another Big Gain, Inventories Continue to Shrink

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:06:38 -0500

Driven by the first-time buyer tax credit, existing-home sales showed another big gain in October with a strong uptrend established over the past seven months, while inventories continue to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Employer-Assisted Housing Forum Helps Bring Homeownership Within Reach

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:06:19 -0500

While reduced home prices and lower mortgage rates have helped increase affordability, homeownership is still out of reach for a large portion of working individuals. To help make homeownership more affordable for working families, the National Association of Realtors® partnered with the National Housing Conference to host a regional forum in Philadelphia today to raise awareness of employer-assisted housing benefits.

NAR Announces Partnership with DocuSign to Deliver Electronic Signature Services to Members

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:04:14 -0500

An ability to sign bids and closing documents online will allow Realtors® to respond to buyers and sellers in a more timely manner, as the National Association of Realtors® today announced a business alliance with DocuSign, the leading provider of on-demand electronic signature solutions.

Commercial Real Estate Forecast Uncertain

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:03:43 -0500

The recent deep economic downturn has had a pronounced impact on commercial real estate sectors, but credit availability is the big unknown that will determine how soon commercial markets recover, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR Installs 2010 Officers

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:03:14 -0500

Vicki Cox Golder, a Realtor® from Tucson, Ariz., was installed today as 2010 president of the National Association of Realtors® at the association’s Board of Directors meeting during the REALTORS® Conference & Expo here. Approximately 20,000 Realtors® and guests from the U.S. and abroad attended the annual meeting this year.

NAR Recognizes Realtor® David M. Peretti of Winchester, Mass., for Distinguished Service

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:02:51 -0500

David M. Peretti, a Realtor® from Winchester, Mass., has received the National Association of Realtors® 2009 Distinguished Service Award. Out of 1.2 million Realtors®, no more than two are recognized with this award each year, which is announced during NAR’s annual REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

NAR Recognizes Realtor® Jerry R. Teeson of Coon Rapids, Minn., for Distinguished Service

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:59:21 -0500

Jerry R. Teeson, a Realtor® from Coon Rapids, Minn., has received the National Association of Realtors® 2009 Distinguished Service Award. Out of 1.2 million Realtors®, no more than two are recognized with this award each year, which is announced during NAR’s annual REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

Renters Often Unlikely Victims of Foreclosure

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:58:53 -0500

When the foreclosure crisis first hit the U.S., many individuals and families living in rental housing were evicted without notice after the property they called home entered foreclosure. Often those tenants, who had been paying their rent on time, had no idea the property was in delinquency or facing foreclosure until they received notice to evict.

Realtors® Help Buyers Attain Short Sales Success

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:58:18 -0500

Not all buyers are suited for a short sale. This was one of the messages delivered at “Short Sales from the Buyer’s Perspective” during the 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo today.

Did You Know: Commercial Member Business Specialties

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:09:51 -0400

Did you know that land sales were identified by 16 percent of commercial members as their primary business specialty?

Daily Forecast Update: Consumer Confidence, Residential Sales, and Durable Goods

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:09:19 -0400

We are making progress in emerging from the recession, but the recovery is still somewhat weak.

Economists' Commentary: Existing Home Sales in August

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:24:20 -0400

We are ever so close to reaching that self-propelling housing market recovery.

Did You Know: Commercial Member Income

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:23:42 -0400

Did you know that in 2008 the median gross annual income of commercial members was $99,900?

Did You Know: Commercial Member Experience

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:33:47 -0400

Did you know that among commercial members, the median years experience in real estate is 24?

Daily Forecast Update: Stock Market, Gold and Oil Prices

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:33:18 -0400

The rising stock market assures less cautious consumers, but the bigger boost to consumer spending will come from rising housing wealth.

Did You Know: Commercial Member Demographics

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:26:58 -0400

Did you know that according to the 2009 Commercial Member Profile, the average commercial member is 56 years old?

Daily Forecast Update: Interest Rates, Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:26:16 -0400

A sustainable economic recovery and changes in forecast will depend upon the extension of the first-time home buyer’s tax credit.

Daily Forecast Update: Consumer Credit

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:13:09 -0400

With home values recently showing stabilization signs, gains in housing wealth are likely for 2010 and beyond.

Did You Know: Home Equity Cashed Out

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:11:54 -0400

Did you know that home equity fell by $5.9 trillion in 2008, down 43% from the 2005 level?

Daily Forecast Update: Housing Starts & Unemployment Claims

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:58:24 -0400

Some restraint in new home construction is needed to allow time for existing housing inventory to be absorbed.

Did You Know: Recession "Very Likely Over"

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:58:23 -0400

Did you know that Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke has said that the recession is "very likely over?"

Daily Forecast Update: Mortgage Purchase Applications, Consumer Price Index, Industrial Production, Current Account Balance

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:27:05 -0400

Home sales continue to chug along at a healthy rate despite this week’s anomalous decline in mortgage applications.

Did You Know: Non-Prime Lending

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:16:47 -0400

Did you know that more than 50% of loans originating in San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego at the height of the housing boom included affordability features?

Did You Know: Household Tenure by Income

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:40:03 -0400

Did you know that in 2007 more than 90% of occupied households earning $120,000 or more were occupied by their owners?

Commentary: Multi-Family Vacancy to Rise

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:39:05 -0400

In light of rising vacancies in the third quarter, rent growth is expected to decline.

Daily Forecast Update: Retail Sales, Producer Price Index

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:37:31 -0400

The rise in retail sales points to an improvement in consumer confidence.

Did You Know: Energy and Environmental Concerns

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:37:32 -0400

Did you know the residential sector is responsible for about 21 percent of total energy consumption?

Economists' Commentary: Climbing Out of Recession

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:36:13 -0400

The world-wide economic recession is essentially over.

Did You Know: Severely Burdened Households

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:34:38 -0400

Did you know that many severely burdened householders are actually employed, retired or disabled?

Daily Forecast Update: Imports & Exports, Wholesale Prices, Consumer Sentiment

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:33:43 -0400

he demand for U.S. wholesalers' goods has increased for the 3rd consecutive month and means wholesalers are clearing excess supply.

Did You Know: Seriously Delinquent Mortgages

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:32:46 -0400

Did you know that seriously delinquent mortgages are so far concentrated among private label securities?

Daily Forecast Update: Unemployment Claims, Trade Deficit

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:31:14 -0400

Unemployment claims are still high but continue to abate in intensity. However, we can expect rising unemployment through the next year or so.

Did You Know: REALTORS® and Designations

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 14:26:59 -0400

Did you know that the median gross personal income REALTORS® with at least one designation was $55,700 based on a 2009 survey?

Daily Forecast Update: Mortgage Applications, Beige Book

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 14:25:43 -0400

Buyers are taking advantage of record low interest rates and home prices, which is making homeownership more affordable now than ever.

Did You Know: REALTORS® and Designations

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 09:57:06 -0400

Did you know REALTORS® who have a designation make significantly higher salaries?

Did You Know: Percent of Homes Financed

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 15:05:52 -0400

Did you know that among all buyers, the percentage of homes financed remained stable at 91 percent from 2006-2008?

Economist's Podcast: September 8, 2009

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 15:04:46 -0400

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun shares his outlook on jobs and why a shift in consumer perspective is driving a stable housing market.

Daily Forecast Update: Jobless Claims

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 13:31:49 -0400

People continue to struggle unemployment rises, curtailing spending on items large and small.

Did You Know: Foreigner Financing of Purchased Property

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 13:23:59 -0400

Did you know that foreigners frequently pay cash in purchasing U.S. properties, rather than obtaining a mortgage?

Daily Forecast Update: Jobless Claims, ISM Index

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:19:48 -0400

Tomorrow's employment situation release will give a fuller picture of conditions, and economists expect the unemployment rate to creep up from its current 9.4 percent.

Did You Know: Where Foreign Buyers Purchased Property

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:19:47 -0400

According to NAR’s recently released 2009 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, while foreign buyers purchased U.S. properties throughout the U.S., the two regions most popular were the South and West.

Economist's Commentary: Industrial Rent Expected to Drop 11.4 Percent in 2009

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:19:46 -0400

The industrial sector underwent further contraction in the second quarter of the year.

Did You Know: Median Price Paid by International Buyers Purchasing

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 13:18:35 -0400

Did you know that the median price paid for homes purchased by foreign buyers was $247,100 in 2008.

Daily Forecast Update: Employment, Mortgage Applications

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 13:17:23 -0400

Although the economy is expected to show positive growth in the third quarter, unemployment is still expected to increase for approximately the next year

Economists' Commentary: Unemployment Claims- Duration and Exhaustion Rate

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 13:16:23 -0400

While the housing market and stock market are showing signs of recovery, unemployment remains high.

Did You Know: Buyer Origin

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 13:15:18 -0400

According to NAR’s recently released The 2009 Profile of international Home Buying Activity, 31 percent of foreign purchasers of U.S. real estate were from Europe.

Daily Forecast Update: Pending Home Sales, Construction, ISM

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 13:13:47 -0400

Home sales should continue their upward pattern as the real estate market moves into the early fall.

Economist's Commentary: Office Vacancies Rise as Demand Declines

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 13:07:40 -0400

The economy closed the second quarter of the year with negative results, but with a hopeful outlook for the latter half of the year.

Did You Know: Echo Boomers

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:21:30 -0400

Did you know that "echo boomers" will help keep demand strong for the next 10 years and beyond, bolstering the markets for rentals and starter homes.

Quick Take: Personal Income & Consumption, Consumer Sentiment

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:29 -0400

Consumers remain fairly weakened by the economic crisis. The unemployment situation continues to make people more cautious when it comes to spending than usual.

Did You Know: Who Worked at Home, by Income

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:19:12 -0400

Did you know that nearly one in three of the highest earners works at home on an average day compared to fewer than one in ten among the lowest earning groups?

Quick Take: Unemployment Insurance Claims, GDP

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:18:12 -0400

People receiving unemployment insurance declined this past week.

Did You Know: Who Worked at Home?

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:16:06 -0400

Did you know that those who are self-employed were more than 3 times as likely as wage and salary workers to work at home on an average workday.

Quick Take: New Home Sales, Mortgage Applications

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:16:05 -0400

The releasing of the pent-up demand should help continue to carry the momentum forward.

Did You Know: Home Buyers by Marital Status

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:34:33 -0400

Did you know that married couples who purchased homes typically had a household income of $86,500?

Did You Know: Real House Prices

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:33:05 -0400

Home prices in many markets have retreated to pre-boom levels. In the Midwest, where house price appreciation was only modest during the boom, the setbacks have been especially large.

Quick Take: Six Month Bill Auction

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:29:33 -0400

Today's auction for 6 month T-Bills produced an investment rate of .259%, compared to a rate of .279% on July 27 and .340% on June 22.

Did You Know: Foreclosures in Once-Booming Markets

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:29:32 -0400

Foreclosure rates in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Florida surged from less than 0.9 percent at the start of 2007 to 5.9 percent by the end of 2008.

Economists' Commentary: July Existing Home Sales

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:29:32 -0400

Existing home sales increased 7.2 percent from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units.

Quick Take: Unemployment Claims, Leading Indicators

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:12:38 -0400

Higher unemployment stalls economic growth as consumers are apprehensive about making large purchases.

Did You Know: Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:42:09 -0400

Did you know that conditions are great for home buyers with a steady job and good financing?

New Economic Data: Commercial Leading Indicator

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:43:22 -0400

Although commercial real estate activity has been affected by the credit crunch, job losses and weak consumer spending, the decline appears to be slowing.

Did You Know: Luxury Home Buyers and The Search Process

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:41:11 -0400

Did you know buyers who purchase luxury homes look for longer and at more homes?

Quick Take: MBA Weekly Index

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:40:15 -0400

Interest rates continue to be at levels that will support a recovery in the existing home sales markets nationwide.

Did You Know: Homeownership by Income

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:38:11 -0400

Did you know that in the second quarter of 2009 homeownership rates, among households with income greater or equal to the median income, dropped more than for those with less than median income?

Economists' Commentary: International Property Markets

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:36:57 -0400

Like the United States, many world markets have seen increases in their property values and experienced a housing bubble and a subsequent bust in the past half a decade.

Quick Take: Housing Starts and Producer Price Index

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:36:07 -0400

Overall, low inflationary pressure should mean continuing low mortgage rates, at least through the year's end.

Did You Know: Homeownership by Race

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:31:58 -0400

Did you know that in the second quarter of 2009 homeownership rates dropped among all races?

Economists' Commentary: Months Supply - What's in a Number?

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:31:58 -0400

Months supply is one of the most insightful statistics used to describe the housing market. It gives a concise assessment of a market’s condition as of that point in time. What is the current supply figure telling us?

Quick Take: Housing Market Index (HMI)

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:31:57 -0400

The increased optimism by home builders is positive news for the economy as it tries to rebound from this deep recession.

Did You Know: Who is Buying Homes More Than $500,000

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:03:32 -0400

Did you know that 19% of people who bought homes that were more than $500,000 were first-time buyers?

Quick Take: Consumer Price Index, Consumer Sentiment, Industrial Production

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:03:31 -0400

Consumers are still facing challenges of large job losses, weak income growth, falling home prices, and rising energy costs.

Economists' Commentary: Greening Homes

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:26:31 -0400

Energy efficiency in the housing market is of growing interest to REALTORS® and consumers.

Did You Know: Method Used To Find Real Estate Agent

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:51:50 -0400

Did you know that 38% of sellers were referred to their real estate agent by a friend, neighbor, or relative?

Economists' Commentary: Market Outlook for August

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:51:50 -0400

The recovery in the housing market will lay the foundation for a sustainable economic recovery.

Economists' Commentary: Census Non-employer and NAR Membership Data

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:48:01 -0400

Being self-employed presents unique challenges to REALTORS®, for instance access to affordable health insurance and potentially volatile earnings.

Quick Take: 10-Year Treasury, Oil Prices, Commercial Real Estate

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:48:01 -0400

Commercial real estate continues to struggle with mortgage debt refinancing. Extending TALF’s availability for CMBS purchases would provide a measure of relief.

Did You Know: Making Compromises When Buying A Home

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:47:59 -0400

Did you know that 19% of recent buyers made some compromises or lowered their expectations about the price of the home they purchased?

Quick Take: Unemployment Claims, Fannie & Freddie Restructuring

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 13:45:38 -0400

Mortgage rates will naturally fluctuate but should remain generally favorable because of an active secondary mortgage market.

Existing Home Sales: Market Remains Bifurcated

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 13:36:49 -0400

According to the Realtors® Confidence Index, distressed home sales have made up a smaller percentage of total sales in recent months.

Quick Take: Purchase Apps, Employment Report, ISM Index, Short Sales and Factory Orders

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:36:09 -0400

Sizable job cuts suggest that Friday’s unemployment readings may reach up to 9.9 percent.

Did You Know: How FSBO Sellers Will Sell Their Current Home

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:35:16 -0400

Did you know that thirty-eight percent of FSBO sellers who knew their buyer say that they would use a real estate agent to sell their current home?

Quick Take: Pending Home Sales, Income and Savings

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 15:13:17 -0400

Although the upturn in housing looks sustainable, the housing market is still far from being back to normal.

New Economic Data: Uptrend Continues in Pending Home Sales

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 15:12:23 -0400

Pending home sales are up for the fifth consecutive month, the first time in six years for such a streak, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Did You Know: Importance of Environmentally Friendly Home Features

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 15:11:19 -0400

Did you know that forty-three percent of recent buyers considered a home’s heating and cooling costs very important?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Investment Trends: Industrial

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 15:09:40 -0400

Although some businesses are considering production increase, it is likely that the industrial sector will remain relatively weak through 2009.

Quick Take: ISM Manufacturing, Construction Spending

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 15:09:39 -0400

Although the manufacturing sector is still shrinking, there are signs that manufacturing growth may be in store in the months ahead.

Economists' Commentary: Research's Member Spotlight

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:01:12 -0400

NAR Research spotlights a member who has used our data to better serve clients and share knowledge with other Realtors®: this month, Maria Wells.

Did You Know: London Market Boosted by International Buyers

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:00:33 -0400

A weak pound has led to a massive increase in overseas buyers who are buying largely in central London.

Quick Take: Unemployment Insurance Claims, The Beige Book

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:59:45 -0400

The economic decline seems to be slowing, and a few regions show signs of possible stabilization.

Did You Know: Distance of Move to New Residence

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:58:33 -0400

Did you know that the typical homebuyer moved 15 miles from his or her previous residence?

Quick Take: Case-Shiller Index, Consumer Confidence

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:30:19 -0400

As the fall in housing prices slows, buyers who have been waiting for the right time may finally jump back into the market en masse.

Economists' Commentary: Regional Round Up, Part 2

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:29:29 -0400

After nearly a decade-long housing boom, it took almost a year and a half for the pricing power to shift from sellers to buyers.

Economists' Commentary: Regional Round Up, Part 1

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:44:25 -0400

Foreclosures are having a substantial impact in some markets, while unemployment is the primary concern in other locations.

Did You Know: State Fiscal Conditions

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:42:43 -0400

Did you know that according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 47 states face shortfalls in fiscal year 2009 or 2010?

Quick Take: Consumer Sentiment and Jobless Claims

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:41:44 -0400

Consumer sentiment remains weak as people across the country are worried about job and income prospects

Did You Know: Homeowner Vacancy Rate

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:39:55 -0400

In 2008 the U.S. the homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8 percent, up from 1.6 percent in 2000.

Did You Know: Home Ownership Rate by State

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:38:17 -0400

Did you know that the U.S. homeownership rate of 67.8 in 2008 is down from 69 percent in 2004, but up from 67.4 in 2000.

Economists' Commentary: June Existing Home Sales

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:36:48 -0400

After four difficult years of a housing recession, the market is clearly healing.

Did You Know: Gross Household Income of REALTORS®

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:35:53 -0400

The median gross household income for members in 2008 was $91,500.

Quick Take: Weekly Mortgage Applications and FHFA Index

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:35:20 -0400

The mortgage applications (for purchase) index is still a trickle compared to just a year ago.

Did You Know: Tenure at Firm

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:33:35 -0400

Did you know that the typical REALTOR® has been at his/her firm for five years?

Quick Take: The Fed's Independence

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:31:10 -0400

Mortgage rates are no longer at the rock-bottom rates of less than 5 percent. However, mortgages rates are still well under 6 percent - which can still be considered as being near 50 year lows.

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Investment Trends--Retail Sector Struggles with Growing Distressed Sales

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:48:08 -0400

Consumer spending continues to decline, as rising unemployment and a prolonged recession force consumers to cut back. Against this backdrop, demand for retail space has been contracting.

Did You Know: Sales Price and Urgency

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:50:24 -0400

Did you know that the typical home seller sold their home for 96 percent of the listed selling price?

Quick Take: Housing Starts and Bank Profits

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:27:26 -0400

While the number of jobs counted in jobless claims is lower, it does not tell the full story. Those who have stopped receiving benefits are no longer counted.

Economists' Commentary: Finance 101--Compounding, Interest, and the Housing Market, Part 2

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:12:59 -0400

Home buyers who finance their purchase with a mortgage have options on how to pay the interest and principle borrowed that impacts how much they pay monthly, whether that payment changes, and how long it will take to pay off the mortgage.

Did You Know: Buying a Home is a Good Financial Decision

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:13:00 -0400

Did you know Americans in their prime home buying years (ages 25 to 44) are more confident than any other age group that buying a home is a good decision?

Economists' Commentary: Finance 101--Compounding, Interest, and the Housing Market, PT 1

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:11:44 -0400

The effects of compounding interest can lead a consumer to undersave and underborrow.

Did You Know: Compensation Structure for REALTORS®

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:07:56 -0400

Did you know that the dominant method by which REALTORS® are compensated is by percentage split commission?

Quick Take: CPI, Mortgage Applications, Industrial Production

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:03:44 -0400

The decline in the purchase index for mortgage applications is negative news; however, the lower rates and increase in refinances should be good overall for the housing market.

Quick Take: 10-Year Treasury Yields and Mortgage Rates

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:03:45 -0400

Market timing for the cheapest mortgage rate will be tricky.

Did You Know: Buying a Home Through an Agent

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:03:44 -0400

Eighty-one percent of recent home buyers purchased a home through a real estate agent or broker in 2008.

Economists' Commentary: Changing Local Markets

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:56:13 -0400

NAR Research has released new Market Price Reports, which cover sales, price and affordability information for more than 150 markets.

Quick Take: International Trade, Imports and Exports, Consumer Sentiment

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:56:12 -0400

In contrast to the positive trade news, consumer confidence is continuing to deteriorate with the sentiment index falling more than 6 points to 64.6 for middle of July.

Did You Know: Level of Service Desired

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:56:12 -0400

More than four out of five sellers chose an agent who provided a broad range of services and managed most aspects of the sale.

Quick Take: Unemployment Claims

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:58:24 -0400

The increase in continuing claims suggests that the labor market is very slack and that businesses are reluctant to hire new employees.

Did You Know: Realtors® Language Fluency and Country of Birth

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:57:27 -0400

Did you know that nine percent of REALTORS® were born outside the United States?

Economists' Commentary: The Next Middle Class

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:56:24 -0400

Imagine the prospect of 30 to 50 million more people with disposable income and spending potential.

Did You Know: City Expansion

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:05:08 -0400

Did you know that the growth rates of the biggest U.S. cities have increased as unemployment and the real-estate slump have slowed migration to the suburbs?

Economists' Commentary: First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Resources

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:05:07 -0400

NAR offers a wealth of information to help everyone make sense of the tax credit.

Did You Know: Repeat Business and Referrals

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:58:16 -0400

Did you know that the average REALTOR ® earned 18 percent of his/her business from past clients and customers?

Economists' Commentary: Multi-Family Demand Increases in Second Quarter

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:58:16 -0400

The delinquency and foreclosure rates for residential loans continue to register increases.

Did You Know: Size of Home Purchased

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:45:16 -0400

The recent American Institute of Architects AIA Home Design Trends Survey shows a shift in buying trends towards small homes.

Quick Take: ISM Index, 10-Year Treasury

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:45:15 -0400

The lower 10-year treasury should mean that mortgage rates will remain in the mid-five percent range in the near term, which is historically fairly low.

Economists' Commentary: On Appraisals--The Impact of HVCC

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:45:14 -0400

A preliminary analysis indicates that the implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) appears to be having adverse impacts on the housing markets.

Quick Take: The Job Market

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:00:31 -0400

The job market remains weak, but declines are occurring at a slower pace than in previous months.

Did You Know: Interest Rates and Mortgage Pay Off

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:59:41 -0400

Did you know that lower mortgage rates enable a borrower to pay off a greater share of the loan much faster?

Economists' Commentary: Going Back to Plain Vanilla Financing

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:53:47 -0400

A recent Wall Street Journal article suggests that the new consumer protection agency will bring a return to plain vanilla financial products.

Quick Take: PHS, Employment, Manufacturing, Construction Spending and Mortgage Applications

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:50:27 -0400

NAR’s pending home sales index increased for the fourth consecutive month, a hint that sales may have already reached bottom.

Did You Know: Interest Rates and Yearly Payments

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:48:17 -0400

Did you know that today's mortgage rates, which have been between 5 and 5.5 percent, are generationally low.

Did You Know: FSBO and Agent-Assisted Sales Price

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:44:59 -0400

Did you know that all sellers in the Home Buyer and Seller survey reported a median sales price of $204,900?

Economists' Commentary: Second Quarter Retail Demand Declines

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:43:42 -0400

The retail sector is trying to regain its footing due to the low level of consumer spending.

Economists' Commentary: Office Demand Declines as Unemployment Rises

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:37:59 -0400

Accelerated by the financial crisis of 2008, employment in office-using sectors has been declining.

Did You Know: REALTORS® Staying in the Field

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:37:58 -0400

Did you know that 73 percent of REALTORS® reported they were very certain they would stay active in the field?

Quick Take: Personal Income/Consumption, Consumer Sentiment

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:37:57 -0400

This marks the fourth consecutive monthly increase in consumer sentiment.

Today's Quick Take

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:17:02 -0500

Today’s increase in jobless claims was unexpected as the pace in claims has been slowing.

Did You Know: High End Homes by State

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:13:50 -0500

Did you know Connecticut had the highest percentage of homes valued at over a million dollars?

Distressed Property: Below Market Prices in a Bifurcated Market

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:13:09 -0500

The existing home sales market is currently bifurcated between distressed and non-distressed sales.

Quick Take: Purchase Applications, Durable Goods Orders, New Home Sales

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:59:34 -0500

Overall, today’s economic news shows positive signs yet also indicates that the recovery will be slow.

Did You Know: Homebuyers and Social Media

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:58:19 -0500

Did you know half of recent buyers are on social networking sites?

Economists' Commentary: State Fiscal Conditions and Property Taxes: 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:56:35 -0500

States and local governments spend and raise money in a variety of ways. Understanding how your state raises revenue will help you understand how it might be affected by the down turn.

Did You Know: Long Term Investment by Gender

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:49:39 -0400

Do you know how investors' views of long-term investment vary by gender?

New Economic Data: May Existing-Home Sales

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:49:39 -0400

Existing-home sales showed another gain in May, benefiting from favorable affordability conditions and a first-time buyer tax credit.

Quick Take: Credit Crunch Easing?

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:39:25 -0400

The credit market should not be considered back-to-normal until credit returns to all real estate loans.

Did You Know: Long Term Investment Trends

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:39:24 -0400

How do perceptions of stocks, bonds, savings and real-estate vary in terms of long-tern investment?

Did You Know: Different Residential Property Tax Rates

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:38:02 -0400

Property taxes are an important component of state and local government funding.

Quick Take: Appraisal Nightmare

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:34:55 -0400

The bottom line is that consumers today often pay more to order appraisals.

Economists' Commentary: Industrial Vacancy Rate Rises in Second Quarter

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:34:54 -0400

The industrial sector is facing mounting economic pressure, compounding a general decline in demand.

Did You Know: REALTOR® Business Expenses are Declining

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:32:29 -0400

The average total real estate business expenses are declining for all REALTORS®.

Quick Take: Weekly Unemployment Claims and Conference Board's Leading Indicator

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:29:40 -0400

Economic recovery may occur this year according to today’s data.

Economists' Commentary: The Realtors®' Confidence Index: Insight on Market Trends

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:29:39 -0400

The appraisal process has become a major problem, according to many respondents.

Did You Know: Age of First-Time Homebuyers

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:22:24 -0400

Did you know that home affordability is opening the market to younger buyers?

Quick Take: Housing Starts, Producer Prices, Industrial Productivity

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:23:39 -0400

Declines in the producer price index and the capacity utilization rate suggest that deflation, and not inflation, is the immediate threat to the economy.

Did You Know: Member Demographics

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:22:21 -0400

Did you know that as the housing market has changed so have NAR member demographics?

Quick Take: Housing Market Index

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:31:06 -0400

Mortgage rates have risen sharply the past few weeks, going from around 4.8 percent to almost 5.6 percent.

Did You Know: Different Residential Assessment Standard

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:24 -0400

Did you know that property taxes are an important component of state and local government funding?

Economists' Commentary: Is the Stimulus Bill Too Small?

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:29:25 -0400

The application of Okun’s law suggests that the current spending bill is having less of an impact than is desirable.

Did You Know: Home Improvement Projects

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:03:27 -0400

Did you know that the typical buyer spent $4,350 on home improvement projects within the first three months of their home purchase?

Quick Take: Mortgage Rates and Expanding Home Buyer Tax Incentives

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:38:11 -0400

It is vital for the Fed to not to lose sight of the importance of housing recovery.

Economists' Commentary: FHA Mortgages vs. Subprime Mortgages

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:34:48 -0400

Both FHA and subprime mortgages have rising incidences delinquencies, but there is a significant difference in the foreclosures rates between the two.

Quick Take: Retail Sales, Jobless Claims

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:57:51 -0400

Today’s news on better-than-expected jobless claims and growth in retail sales pushed stocks higher this morning.

Did You Know: Home Types Purchased

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:57:24 -0400

Did you know that eighty-two percent of home buyers reported purchasing a detached single-family home?

Economists' Commentary: June Market Forecast

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:22:02 -0400

Lawrence Yun gives insight on what we can expect from the economy in June and for the rest of 2009.

Did You Know: Location of Home Purchase

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:23:20 -0400

Did you know that the majority of buyers purchase homes located in suburban areas?

Quick Take: Trade Deficit, Mortgage Applications

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:24:03 -0400

The U.S. economy is currently in recession, and the export outlook does not appear to provide the stimulus it needs.

Quick Take: Wholesale Trade

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 15:24:56 -0400

Wholesale trade continues on a downward trend.

Did You Know: Most Desired Home Features

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 15:24:20 -0400

Did you know that the most desired home feature is central air conditioning?

Quick Take: Rising Mortgage Rates, Future Federal Reserve Chairman

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 15:01:53 -0400

Mortgage rates are almost certain to be higher this time next year, but the path is never a smooth line.

Did You Know: Commercial Real Estate Market Survey

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:49:20 -0400

Did you know that in April, 43.79 percent of Commercial Realtors® reported financing as their market’s greatest challenge?

Quick Take: Employment Report

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 15:26:42 -0400

The pace of job losses was nearly cut in half in May in comparison to the prior six months of job losses.

Did You Know: REALTORS® and Websites

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 15:26:41 -0400

Did you know that 60% of all REALTORS® reported having a Web site?

Did You Know: Magnet v. Sticky States

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:04:39 -0400

Did you know that Nevada is the top "magnet" state, while Texas is the top "sticky" state?

Did You Know: Demographics of Realtors®: Homeownership

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 11:35:05 -0400

Did you know that most members own their primary residence?

Quick Take: Mortgage Refinance Applications

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 11:15:46 -0400

Higher interest rates and a smaller pool of potential owners to refinance have precipitated a decline in refinancing activity.

Did You Know: Affiliate Memberships

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:48:40 -0400

Did you know that a quarter of REALTORS® have an affiliate membership?

Quick Take: World Stock Market Upturn, Income and Consumption, ISM Index

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 16:49:44 -0400

Slow yet positive economic growth can be expected in the second half of this year. The growth will likely maintain its momentum going into 2010.

New Economic Data: Pending Home Sales Rise

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:49:43 -0400

Bolstered by record low mortgage interest rates and the first-time buyer tax credit, pending home sales rise for the third consecutive month.

Did You Know: Net Regional Migration

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 16:48:39 -0400

The largest net regional migration is between Northeast and South.

Quick Take: Weekly Unemployment Claims, Durable Goods, and New Home Sales

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:23:09 -0400

April’s rebound of durable goods may be an indication that the overall economy is on the way to stabilization

Did You Know: Prior Careers of Realtors®

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:19:16 -0400

Did you know that of REALTORS® who held jobs in fields other than real estate, 19 percent were in business, management or finance?

Economists' Commentary: Distressed Real Estate--Prices Narrow in Bifurcated Market

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:19:16 -0400

In March ’09 distressed property sold at a discount of 20 percent to market, declining in April ’09 to a 9 percent discount relative to market.

Economists' Commentary: Existing-Home Sales in April

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:19:15 -0400

Existing home sales rose 2.9 percent in April. Lawrence Yun discusses the EHS numbers in depth.

New Economic Data: Existing-Home Sales Rise in April

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:24:00 -0400

Existing-home sales rose in April with strong buyer activity in lower price ranges.

Did You Know: Demographics of Realtors®: Age

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:32:14 -0400

Did you know that the median age of REALTORS® is 54-years-old?

Quick Take: Case-Shiller Index, Consumer Confidence

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:31:16 -0400

Consumers seem to be more optimistic about the economy and job prospects, while still postponing big-ticket purchases.

Jumbo Loans: Spotlight on Realtors®' Survey

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:38:47 -0400

The higher mortgage rates are taking a toll on the market for jumbo homes.

Did You Know: Demographics of Realtors®: Gender

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:30:35 -0400

Did you know that sixty percent of Realtors® are female?

Quick Take: UK Ratings, US Debt & Bond Yields

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:32:59 -0400

A high deficit and unsustainable debt growth will harm the economy over the long haul.

Did You Know: Real Estate Investments of Realtors®

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:29:57 -0400

Did you know that 40 percent of Realtors® noted that they owned other residential properties for investment?

Quick Take: Jobless Claims and Mortgage Rates

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:25:23 -0400

Low mortgages rates should induce buyers into the market, but economic questions continue to dog consumer confidence.

Economists' Commentary: Realtors® Confidence Index: Insight on Market Trends

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:25:23 -0400

The RCI provides monthly information gathered from Realtors® concerning the existing home sales outlook measuring current and future housing activity.

Did You Know: Realtors and Web Presence

Wed, 20 May 2009 14:38:41 -0400

Did you know that in 2008 three-fifths of all REALTORS® reported having a Web site?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Leading Indicator

Wed, 20 May 2009 14:15:39 -0400

The preliminary value of NAR’s CLI declined sharply, suggesting rough waters ahead for the commercial real estate business.

New Economic Data: Commercial Leading Indicator

Wed, 20 May 2009 14:17:42 -0400

The general economic downturn, complicated by a severe credit crunch in commercial real estate, is dampening commercial real estate activity.

Quick Take: Housing Starts

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:54:08 -0400

A credit targeted only for new home buyers does not help to absorb the high level of existing-home inventory.

Did You Know: Use of Technology

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:51:36 -0400

Did you know that technologies gaining popularity among Realtors® include smart phones, Instant Messaging, and GPS?

Quick Take: Home Market Index

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:49:28 -0400

We can expect muted growth in new homes as the inventory of existing homes still remains relatively high, and liquidity in this market is scarce.

Quick Take: CPI, PPI, Consumer Sentiment, Jobless Claims, and Industrial Production

Fri, 15 May 2009 15:01:50 -0500

Consumers are more optimistic, especially about the future. This is good news for REALTORS®.

Quick Take: Purchase Applications, Retail Sales, Import/Export

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:02:17 -0500

Although the mortgage rates are at historic lows, purchase applications have not shown significant improvements.

Quick Take: Trade Deficit, Larger Budget Deficit

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:11:13 -0500

In coming months we should expect rising trade deficits to coincide with record budget deficits, commonly referred to as the 'twin deficits'.

Did You Know: Types of Home Improvement

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:22:10 -0400

Did you know that the remodeling priorities were similar among first-time buyers, repeat buyers, and those who purchased previously owned residences?

Quick Take: Mortgage Rates, Oil Prices

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:20:52 -0400

If oil prices rise to $70 or $80 per barrel, then mortgage rates could also rise.

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate Faces Threat from CMBS Delinquencies

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:16:12 -0400

Adding to a difficult situation, commercial real estate is facing another threat--rising Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) delinquencies.

Did You Know: Amount Spent on Home Improvement

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:39:58 -0400

Did you know that the typical buyer spends $4,350 on home improvement projects within the first three months of purchasing a home?

Quick Take: Jobless Claims, Productivity, 10-Year Treasury

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:38:46 -0400

The decrease in the weekly jobless claims could point to a slowing of the decline.

Did You Know: Home Improvement Projects

Wed, 6 May 2009 14:36:03 -0400

Did you know that 59 percent of home buyers took on home improvement projects within three months of purchasing their home?

Quick Take: Weekly Mortgage Applications, ADP Employment Report

Wed, 6 May 2009 14:34:57 -0400

Low mortgage rates and improved confidence should help sales in the second half of 2009.

Economists' Commentary: Bank Stress-Tests

Wed, 6 May 2009 14:30:20 -0400

In February, the government began an evaluation of all domestic bank holding companies commonly referred to as a "stress test."

Did You Know: Business Generated from Web Site

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:29:34 -0400

Did you know that REALTORS® web site spending is correlated with both the number of online inquiries received and the percentage of business generated via the web site?

Quick Take: ISM Index

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:11:33 -0400

NAR predicts positive economic activity growth beginning in the third quarter of this year.

New Economic Data: March Pending Home Sales

Mon, 4 May 2009 11:29:13 -0400

Pending home sales rose with many first-time buyers taking advantage of historically good housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Did You Know: Research is on Facebook?

Fri, 1 May 2009 12:29:36 -0400

Did you know that as of April 2009, Facebook has more than 200 million users? Now Research joins the social media trend.

Quick Take: Commercial Mortgages, Sticky Property Tax, 10-Year Treasury, Manufacturing

Fri, 1 May 2009 12:28:16 -0400

More loans will become available for commercial real estate but residential mortgage rates could be creeping higher.

Did You Know: Commercial Real Estate Market Survey

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:58:05 -0400

Did you know that in February, 2009, the most pressing challenge Commercial members reported facing was financing?

Quick Take: Personal Income and Consumption, Weekly Jobless Claims

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:56:56 -0400

Consumers have adapted to a weak job market by cutting back spending and increasing savings.

Quick Take: GDP, Weekly Mortgage Applications

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:52:40 -0400

Dropping mortgage rates reflect the slow residential housing markets; however, the good news is that interest rates remain low.

Economists' Commentary: Online Social Networking and Realtors®

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:50:54 -0400

As this medium of communication and information sharing grows, more Realtors® are getting involved and finding new uses for these tools.

Quick Take: The Case/Shiller Price Index, Consumer Confidence

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:56:41 -0400

The latest updates on the Case/Shiller Price Index and consumer confidence figures, including information on the California and Nevada markets.

Did You Know: Inflation Over Time

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:55:59 -0400

Did you know that core inflation has been remarkably stable for the last 20-30 years?

Quick Take: Monetary Exit Strategy

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:39:57 -0400

Inflation is nowhere in sight, but could easily pop up in a year or two.

Did You Know: Prior Career of Realtors

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:39:57 -0400

Did you know that, most often, a Realtor's previous career was the business or management fields?

Quick Take: Durable Goods, New Home Sales, Home Price Dispute

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:57:51 -0400

A decline in durable goods orders is not good news for the economy, but a slowing in the rate of decline is a positive sign.

Did You Know: Americans Who Moved in 2008

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:07:35 -0400

Did you know that the number of Americans who moved declined in 2008 to 35.2 million?

Economists' Commentary: March Existing-Home Sales Examined

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:11:07 -0400

Existing home sales fell in March, but the data still points towards stabilization.

New Economic Data: March Existing-Home Sales Decline; First-Time Buyers Rise

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:12:08 -0400

Existing-home sales declined 3.0 percent, but first-time buyers are responding to low mortgage interest rates and tax credits.
View the data>

Did You Know: CPI and Inflation

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:11:55 -0400

Did you know that core inflation has historically remained in the 1 to 3 percent range?

Quick Take: Weekly Mortgage Rates

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:16:14 -0400

Despite the Easter holiday, trend housing demand remains surprisingly tepid given all of the financial incentives to buy in the current market.

Did You Know: Compromise

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:40:34 -0400

Did you know that 19 percent of recent buyers made some compromises or lowered their expectations about the price of the home they purchased?

Quick Take: Short-Sale Lender Approval, Deflation Threat & the Dollar, $100 Million Savings

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:39:39 -0400

Though not perfect, a little relief is on the way in speeding up the short-sales process.

Did You Know: Expected Tenure in Home

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:48:49 -0400

Among recent buyers, the median expected tenure is ten years, although a large number do not know how long they plan to stay in the home they purchased.

Quick Take: Conference Board Leading Indicators

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:40:48 -0400

Economic recovery is not around the corner, according to today’s data. Any meaningful recovery will occur in the fourth quarter at the earliest.

Did You Know: Interactive Median Home Price Map

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:53:46 -0400

Did you know that you can find out the median home price, the percent change from last quarter, and the average commute time for your area, using NAR's interactive maps?

Quick Take: Jobless Claims and Housing Starts

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:53:45 -0400

Did You Know: House Price Indices

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:51:06 -0400

Did you know that there are four major home price indexes that market participants follow? Do you know what they are?

Quick Take: Purchase Applications, the CPI, Industrial Production and the Housing Market Index

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:51:00 -0400

Low prices are good for consumers who can also benefit from Fed’s attempt to unlock credit markets and perk up growth.

Did You Know: Hours Worked Per Week

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:44:25 -0400

Did you know that sixty percent of REALTORS® worked at least 40 hours a week, and 15 percent worked 60 hours or more?

Quick Take: PPI, Retail Sales, and Bank Profits

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:44:24 -0400

Based on recent bank earnings releases, the consumer credit market appears to be improving.

Did You Know: Firm Affiliations for Realtors®

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:52:56 -0400

Did you know that four out of five appraisers are affiliated with an independent non-franchised firm?

Did You Know: Where Home Buyers Found Their Homes

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:50:02 -0400

Did you know that 34 percent of recent buyers found the home they purchased through their real estate agent in 2008?

Economists' Commentary: Wealth Gain for Homeowners

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 14:45:48 -0400

Homeowners store wealth in a variety of places, but chief among the options is their primary residence.

Quick Take: Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates, and International Trade

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 14:45:48 -0400

The economic news out today shows a glimmer of hope that we might now be approaching a bottom of this recession.

Did You Know: First Step in the Home Buying Process

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 14:45:31 -0400

Given the convenience of the internet, it is not surprising that one-third of buyers first searched for properties online.

Did You Know: Most Difficult Task for a FSBO Seller

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 10:29:07 -0400

Did you know that two-thirds of FSBO sellers found some aspect of the home sale to be difficult?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate--Multi-Family Investment

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 10:27:54 -0400

The multi-family sector, while more resilient, is feeling the effects of the economic recession.

Quick Take: Consumer Credit

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 10:26:55 -0400

Consumer credit outstanding in February 2009 is 2.56 trillion, down from 2.58 trillion in July 2008.

Did You Know: Aging Populations

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 10:25:45 -0400

Did you know that the group of metro areas gaining the most baby boomers are not typically associated with aging populations?

Quick Take: Long Term Interest Rates and Re-Defaulting Mortgages

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 10:24:48 -0400

The key to housing stabilization is whether or not there are sufficient buyers of foreclosed homes.

Economists' Commentary: Fuzzy Housing Inventory

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 10:23:10 -0400

There is a lot of fuzziness in what exactly constitutes excess housing inventory. Lawrence Yun clarifies.

Economists' Commentary: Affordability - Big Improvement in Most Markets

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:21:42 -0400

Affordability has been a major concern as home prices in some markets more than doubled earlier in the decade.

Quick Take: Employment Report and the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:18:30 -0400

Despite the negative job market report, the lower mortgage rates can trump the impact of job cuts on home sales.

Did You Know: Immigrant Destinations

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:17:02 -0400

Did you know that metropolitan areas in the South in general are among the fastest growing immigrant destinations?

Quick Take: Weekly Unemployment Insurance and Mark-to-Market

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 10:04:05 -0400

Relaxing "mark-to-market" accounting rules is good news for the mortgage backed securities market.

Did You Know: Shift in Growth Patterns

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 10:03:18 -0400

Did you know that Americans have one of the highest rates of within-country movement in the industrialized world?

Did You Know: Timing the Home Purchase

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 10:02:46 -0400

Did you know that fourteen percent of buyers were prompted to purchase a home when they did based on improved affordability?

Quick Take: Mortgage Applications, ISM Index, Pending Home Sales

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 10:00:17 -0400

Although record-low mortgage rates have not significantly jump-started the home buying activity, they have certainly tripped a surge in refinancing.

Did You Know: Median Age of REALTORS®

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:59:30 -0400

Did you know that over time, the median age has remained relatively constant at 51 or 52?

Quick Take: Case/Shiller Price Index, Consumer Confidence

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:58:58 -0400

The low level of consumer confidence continues to be a drag on the housing market.

Economists' Commentary: The Second Home Market in 2008

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:44:17 -0400

To assess the state of the vacation and investment buyers market in 2008, NAR Research recently released the latest survey of second-home buyers.

Quick Take: Mortgage Rates, Second Home Activity

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:44:16 -0400

The mortgage rates have fallen below 5 percent to their lowest point in roughly 50 years.

Did You Know: Vacation and Investment Property Sales

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:43:07 -0400

Did you know that in 2008, Vacation home sales fell 30.8 percent?

Economists' Commentary: How Home Sales Stimulate the Economy

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:42:15 -0400

The National Association of Realtors® estimates that each home sale at the median generates $63,101 of economic impact (2008)

Did You Know: Commercial Real Estate Outlook

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:40:47 -0400

Did you know that the retail sector is in contraction, fueled by the recession, mounting job losses and a sharp drop in consumer spending?

Quick Take: First-Time Unemployment Insurance Claims and Gross Domestic Product

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:10:49 -0400

For the week ending March 21, the Labor Department has reported that first-time claims for unemployment insurance rose by 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000.

Did You Know: 'Green' Features

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:34:05 -0400

With rising energy costs home buyers are increasingly aware of energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly features of homes.

Quick Take: Mortgage Applications, New Home Sales, Advanced Manufacturers' Report

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:32:24 -0400

Mortgage applications registered a jump during this past week, but it was mostly pushed by refinancing activity.

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate--Multi-Family

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:20:33 -0400

The multi-family sector is displaying softening, but positive fundamentals

Quick Take: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:42:37 -0400

Housing prices as measured by the FHFA house price index rose 1.7 percent from December to January.

Did You Know: What Sellers Want Most

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:39:11 -0400

Did you know that sellers indicated that what they wanted most from their agent was help pricing their home competitively?

Economists' Commentary: On February Existing-Home Sales

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:32:05 -0400

Today's data of rising sales are likely to stand, though it is more susceptible to bigger revisions due to winter months.

Did You Know: Where The High-Income Tax Payers Are

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:37:18 -0400

The share of returns at or over $200,000 ranges from 1.5 percent or less in Mississippi and West Virginia to greater than 5 percent in Washington, DC and Connecticut.

Did You Know: Consumption and Income in the US

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:36:29 -0400

The relationship between income and consumption is more variable than that between wealth and consumption, but has averaged around 90 percent.

Quick Take: Unemployment and the Conference Board Index

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:35:50 -0400

Federal efforts to stabilize the housing market will hopefully offset some of the deleterious effects of rising unemployment and reduced consumer demand.

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate: Retail Investment

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:32:31 -0400

The retail sector is in contraction, fueled by the recession, mounting job losses and a sharp drop in consumer spending.

Quick Take: Mortgage Applications, CPI, and the FOMC Meeting

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:31:28 -0400

Low inflation or even deflation is the risk the Fed sees for the economy and the CPI numbers support that.

Did You Know: How Much Mortgage Interest Tax Filers Deduct

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:30:23 -0400

Did you know that more than $480 billion in mortgage interest was deducted from 2006 tax returns in the US?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate: Retail Fundamentals

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:28:11 -0400

Consumer spending, the main driver of the economy over the past years, is in decline.

Quick Take: Housing Starts, Building Permits and the Producer Price Index

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:26:58 -0400

Today's Quick Take examines the latest housing starts and building permits data as well as the new PPI release.

Did You Know: Personal Consumption vs. Net Worth

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:25:50 -0400

Did you know that changes in net worth generally dwarf consumption related changes?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate: Industrial Investment

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:20:46 -0400

Lack of consumer demand and diminished international trade is driving down industrial investments.

Quick Take: Homebuilder Sentiment and Zero Down Payment Loans

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:46:54 -0400

Lawrence Yun examines homebuilder sentiment and zero down payment loan options.

Did You Know: REALTOR® Referrals

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:45:32 -0400

Did you know that experienced REALTORS® business originates mostly from referrals?

Quick Take: Unemployment Insurance Claims and Retail Sales

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:30:53 -0400

It is not clear whether the retail sales figures mark a cessation in the downward trend of consumer spending, or are only a temporary development.

Did You Know: Home Buyer Financing

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:30:52 -0400

Did you know that ninety-three percent of home buyers reported that they financed their home purchase with a mortgage?

Did You Know: REALTORS® Home Ownership

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:07:02 -0400

Did you know that, compared with a national homeownership rate of approximately 68 percent, 92 percent of REALTORS® own their home?

Quick Take: Mortgage Applications

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:05:19 -0400

Mortgage rates moved down during this past week, with consumers seeking mortgage refinances.

Did You Know: REALTOR® Blogs

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:58:14 -0400

Did you know that nearly one in ten REALTORS® younger than 60 years of age has a blog?

Quick Take: Whole Sale Trade, Market-to-Market Accounting

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:56:18 -0400

Spotlight on wholesale trade and the needed step of relaxing mark-to-market accounting.

Quick Take: Spotlight on Oil Price, Mortgage Interest Deduction Tweak

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 14:37:18 -0500

Spotlight on oil prices and more on why the mortgage interest deduction tweak is a bad idea.

Economists' Commentary: Homes Sales-- A Bifurcated Market

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 14:59:52 -0400

Jed Smith, Managing Director, Quantitative Research, looks normal and distressed sales in the current housing market.

Did You Know: REALTOR® Education

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 14:36:24 -0500

Did you know that overall, the education among REALTORS® exceeds that of the general population?

Did You Know: Relocation Reports

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 14:00:38 -0500

Did you know that Research produces Relocation Reports for hundreds of counties, free to members?

Quick Take: Employment and Mortgage Interest Deduction

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 13:58:59 -0500

Spotlight on the grim employment situation and why the mortgage interest deduction tweak is a bad idea.

Economists' Commentary : Industrial Commercial Real Estate

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 13:58:02 -0500

Industrial real estate is experiencing a contraction.

Did You Know: RCI By Region

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 13:57:05 -0500

Did you know that Realtors®' Confidence Index was highest in the Northeast in January?

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate--Office Investment

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 13:45:50 -0500

Office investment was down 75 percent in 2008.

Quick Take: Productivity, Mortgage Rates, and Factory Orders

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 13:47:37 -0500

Spotlight on productivity, mortgage rates, and factory orders.

Did You Know: Spanish Speakers

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:44:25 -0500

Did you know that 12.3 percent of people in the US speak Spanish at home?

Quick Take: Mortgage applications, jobless claims, and the ISM non-manufacturing index.

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:43:39 -0500

Mortgage applications, jobless claims, and the ISM non-manufacturing index.

Economists' Commentary: Commercial Real Estate--Office Vacancies

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:43:03 -0500

The recession continues to take a toll on the commercial real estate sector, and the office market is feeling the pain.

Did You Know: Veteran Population

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 13:42:08 -0500

Did you know that in 2007, Alaska had the highest percentage of Veterans in its civilian population at 15.4 percent?

Economists' Commentary: Pending Home Sales in January

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 13:41:06 -0500

Lawrence Yun gives his insight on the latest Pending Home Sales Index numbers and what they mean.

New Research: Pending Home Sales January 2009

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 14:50:49 -0400

Pending home sales declined on the heels of a weakening economy and with some buyers waiting for clarity on housing stimulus provisions.

Quick Take: Stock Market, Economic Outlook, and ISM Index

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:38:22 -0500

The stock market, economic outlook, and the ISM index examined.

Did You Know: Environmental Concerns

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:12:30 -0500

Did you know that despite the dire state of the economy, 34 percent of American consumers are more likely to buy environmentally friendly products?

Did You Know: Realtors®' Confidence Index

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:11:55 -0500

Did you know that the Realtors® Confidence Index rose for the first time in eight months to 23.2?

Quick Take: Government Spending

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:10:57 -0500

Government spending has stepped into the void left by the private sector and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Quick Take: Unemployment and Economic Conditions

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:10:00 -0500

Unemployment continues to grow, as economic conditions worsen.

Did You Know: Hours Spent at Home

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:07:36 -0500

Did you know that the average person spends 7.3 hours at home on any given day?

Economists' Commentary: Existing-Home Sales January 2009

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:06:13 -0500

January sales were low, no doubt due to worsening economic conditions.

New Research: Existing-Home Sales January 2009

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:51:52 -0500

January Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inventory Down

Did You Know: Owner Occupancy

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:04:55 -0500

Did you know that 67.2 percent of occupied housing units are "owner-occupied" in the United States?

Did You Know: Time Spent at Home

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:01:31 -0500

Did you know that the average person spends half of any given day at home?

Quick Take: Consumer Confidence and the SP?Case Shiller Index

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:18 -0500

Spotlight on consumer confidence and the SP/Case-Shiller index.

Did You Know: Housing Costs

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:56:58 -0500

Did you know that according to the 2007 American Community Survey, owners are spending more than 30 percent of their income on monthly housing costs?

Economists' Commentary: Economic Stimulus and the Foreclosure Prevention Plan

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:56:18 -0500

On February 17, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Find out what this will mean for REALTORS®.

Quick Take: Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index and more. . .

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:55:06 -0500

Today's Quick Take looks a the Consumer Price Index, the Producer Price Index and Mortgage Rates.

Did You Know: Newest Homes

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:53:35 -0500

Did you know that according to the 2007 American Community Survey, 3.3 percent of the houses in the U.S. were build in 2005 or later?

New Research: Commercial Real Estate Forecast: February

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:50:22 -0500

Commercial Real Estate Activity Continuing To Decline

Did You Know: Rising Global Trade

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:52:45 -0500

Did you know that international trade activity has been rising much faster than overall economic activity since 1980?

Quick Take: Mortgage Modification Plan, Unemployment Claims, and more. . .

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:00:15 -0500

Today's Quick Take discusses the details in the mortgage modification plan, unemployment claims, and the CLI.

Did You Know: Distance of Moves

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:57:46 -0500

Did you know that overall, home buyers moved a median of 12 miles from their previous residence?

Quick Take: Mortgage Relief and Applications, and Housing Starts

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:56:27 -0500

Today's Quick Take discusses mortgage relief, mortgage applications, and housing starts.

Did You Know: Working From Home

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:52:41 -0500

Did you know that nearly one-third of multiple job holders worked from home on an average workday in 2007?

Did You Know: First Time Home Buyers

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:31:43 -0500

Did you know that first time buyers make up 41 percent of purchasers?

Economists' Commentary: Home Sellers Seeking Professional Representation Rising

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:30:40 -0500

Anna Barlett takes a 'behind the scenes' look at FSBO transactions - and why they can appear misleading.

New Research: Metro Area Home Prices

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:46:16 -0500

4th Quarter Metro Area Home Prices Down as Buyers Purchase Distressed Property

Quick Take: Unemployment Insurance, Retail spending and more. . .

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:29:54 -0500

Today's Quick Take looks at unemployment insurance claims, retail spending, Fannie Mae easing investor loan rules, and the home buyer tax credit.

Quick Take: Mortgage Applications, International Trade, and more. . .

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:28:23 -0500

Today's Quick Take looks at mortgage applications, international trade, and the recently passed stimulus package.

Did You Know: Environmentally Friendly Features

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:10:20 -0500

Did you know that with rising energy costs, home buyers are increasingly aware of energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly features of homes?

Quick Take: Stimulus Package, TARP Plans

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:09:30 -0500

Today's Quick Take discusses the stimulus package that was just passed, and the still murky TARP plans.

Did You Know: US Dollar Getting "Stronger"

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:06:33 -0500

Did you know that recently amid the global financial crisis the dollar has rebounded against many foreign currencies?

Did You Know: Consumer Confidence

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:05:39 -0500

Did you know that Consumer Confidence hit a record low in January? Find out how this compares to previous records.

Quick Take: Stimulus Package, TARP

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 10:04:13 -0500

Today's Quick Take discusses the stimulus package and TARP plans still being debated in the Senate, and the ten-year Treasury yield.

Quick Take: Unemployment Statistics, Mortgage Rates

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:03:39 -0500

Today's Quick Take looks at Census Bureau employment statistics, and mortgage rates.

Quick Take: Unemployment Insurance Claims, Manufacturers' Orders, and more. . .

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 10:00:18 -0500

George Ratiu examines unemployment insurance claims, manufacturers' orders, shipments and inventories, and a proposed Senate tax credit.

Did You Know: The Misery Index

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 09:58:29 -0500

Jed Smith, Manager of Quantitative Research, examine the Misery Index.

Did You Know: Housing Wealth Trend

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 09:57:43 -0500

Lawrence Yun, NAR's Chief Economist, looks at trends in housing net equity.

Did You Know: Value of Web Site Features

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:56:22 -0500

Meredith Dunn, Research Communications Representative, examines what web site features buyers are using to find homes.

Pending Home Sales in December and Forecast

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:55:38 -0500

By Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist

New Research: Pending Home Sales December 2009

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 14:44:21 -0500

Pending home sales show healthy gain and the Housing Affordability Index rose by 10.9% in December.

Quick Take: ISM Manufacturing Index, Economic Stimulus

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:54:56 -0500

Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, looks at the ISM Manufacturing Index and current legislative events surrounding the economic stimulus package.

Did You Know: Age and Size of Home

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 15:28:37 -0600

Meredith Dunn, Research Communications Representative, compares the square footage of sold homes to newly purchased homes for several age groups of home buyers.