Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Phoenix Booming

Home prices up in most cities; among biggest gains - Phoenix
Metro Phoenix home prices are rising faster than anywhere else in the country, according to the latest national data. The Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows the average existing home price in the Phoenix metro area in March increased 2.2% over February of this year. That's the largest increase of any of the 20 major U.S. cities tracked.
Read article - azcentral.com



Americans' Perspective on Home Ownership Shifts
Home ownership is getting more emotional than it used to be. According to a new survey, Americans are increasingly saying that the real value of home ownership is emotional, not financial. That marks a stark contrast from Americans' perspectives on home ownership during the housing boom, in which they mostly viewed it as a financial venture. The more emotional ties to home ownership are causing Americans to get more practical in their home buying.
Read article - Realtor Magazine

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Multiple offers on bids now!

Signs of 'Housing Spring': Bidding Wars
MultiplSigns of 'Housing Spring': Bidding Wars
Multiple offers and bidding wars have returned to some housing markets amid shrinking supplies of homes for sale. Last month, nine of 18 leading markets tracked by real estate brokerage Redfin had less than a three-month supply. Those markets included the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Denver and Washington, D.C.
Read article - CNBC

Monday, May 21, 2012

Did we have problems finding funding for condo? read below :)

FHA may loosen limits on condo mortgages
The FHA is readying changes to its controversial condo rules. The revisions could remove at least some of the obstacles that have dissuaded condo homeowner association boards from seeking FHA approval or recertification of their buildings for FHA loans in the last 18 months.
Read article - LA Times

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!

Back from foreclosure to homeownership
A growing number of Americans are making a surprisingly quick return to homeownership after defaulting on their loans or being forced into short sales that cost their banks money. Data is not available, but interviews with more than 30 lenders, builders, Realtors and consumers suggest that this is the case. Much of the comeback wouldn't be possible without help from the U.S. government, namely the Federal Housing Agency.
Read article - MSNBC

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Phoenix skyrockets!!!!

Phoenix skyrockets in top 20 improving markets list
Based on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) report released on Monday which monitors housing markets showing measurable and sustained improvement, there was little change from the month prior, with one major exception - Phoenix, previously not in the top 20 improving markets list, shot to the second most improving market in the nation.
Read article - AGBeat



Americans' Expectations Align to Encourage Home Buying
More consumers may be looking to purchase homes with a shift in several key housing market indicators, according to Fannie Mae's March 2012 consumer attitudinal National Housing Survey. More Americans now expect both home rental and home purchase prices to increase over the next year. In addition, confidence in consumers' views of their own finances is stabilizing. These trends may be providing Americans with an increased sense of urgency to buy a home as 73% of Americans now believe it is a good time to buy a home, up from 70% in February.
Read article - RISMedia

Friday, May 4, 2012

NEW RULES FOR BUYERS IN TODAY'S MARKET

5 New 'Rules' to Home Buying
With signs of a housing turnaround getting stronger, housing experts say buyers are finding several recent changes when they go to put in an offer on a home. Here are some new rules for homebuyers:
1. Lowball offers won't likely stick
2. Get pre-approved
3. Get realistic about the market
4. Expect some competition
5. Conduct property research
Read article - Realtor Magazine

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

tips for getting a mortgage

3 Tips for Landing a Mortgage
This article covers tips for shopping for a mortgage:
1. High credit scores count. Avoid opening new lines of credit or loans for at least three months prior to getting a loan. Amd try to pay off those balances.
2. Gather plenty of quotes. Most experts say shopping around can pay off. 3. Ask about lock-ins. Home shoppers should ask how long it takes to close loans similar to theirs.
Read article - Realtor Magazine