Blog
Fed Announces Operation Twist
September 26, 2011 by Marni and Scott Huger · Leave a Comment
New plan focuses on mortgage rates; experts’ response is mixed After a two-day closed door policy meeting last week, the Federal Reserve announced its latest effort to stimulate the economy: “Operation Twist.” The crux of the plan is to put downward pressure on long-term interest rates by shifting $400 billion from short term Treasury holdings to longer term Treasuries. Writing... [Read More]
NAR Offers Recommendations to Federal Agencies
September 19, 2011 by Marni and Scott Huger · Leave a Comment
A three prong approach to helping the housing market recover In a recent article, the Associated Press reported that RealtyTrac Inc.’s latest data show bank actions against defaulting mortgage holders rose 33 percent in August from the previous month. As the existing and future inventory of foreclosed upon, or real estate owned (REO), properties continues to loom over the housing market,... [Read More]
Is A Low Appraisal Putting a Spoke in Your Deal?
September 12, 2011 by Marni and Scott Huger · Leave a Comment
5 tips from the experts to help keep your transaction alive A recent article from RIS Media discusses the increasing percentage of real estate deals that are getting snagged when the appraisal comes in lower than expected. According to the article, this past June and July alone saw 16 percent of real estate professionals reporting a sale cancellation as a result of low appraisals. What can you... [Read More]
Housing Market Once Again Regional
September 5, 2011 by Marni and Scott Huger · Leave a Comment
Mixed recovery signals a return to localized shifts and trends The S&P/Case Shiller home-price index, released last Tuesday, showed a 3.6 percent increase in home prices from the first quarter of this year to the second. According to the index, however, the average home price year over year dropped 5.9 percent for the first six months of this year compared with last year. Average home prices... [Read More]
Foreclosures Are Down and Preforeclosures Discounts Are Up
August 29, 2011 by Marni and Scott Huger · Leave a Comment
The housing market appears to becoming more efficient RealtyTrac reported that the share of homes in some stage of foreclosure dropped 5 percent from the first quarter of this year to 31 percent in the second quarter. Additionally, the average sales price of bank-owned (or “REO”) properties was discounted another 4 percent (to 40 percent from 36 percent) below the average sales... [Read More]
