“A housing revival is key to any optimism about the broader economy and jobs,” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, writes for The Washington Post. Zandi notes that in every recovery since World War II a strengthening housing market has powered economic growth. “Now that housing is finally getting its bearings, it will turn from an economic headwind into a tailwind and become a significant source of jobs,” Zandi notes. “There will be more construction jobs, construction-related manufacturing jobs, […]

More metros were added to this month’s Improving Housing Market list, allowing the index to grow in January to 242 metros out of 361 nationwide. The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Market Index identifies areas that have shown growth in housing permits, employment, and home prices for at least six consecutive months. The index was created in September 2011. Forty-seven new metros were added to January’s list, including areas like Los Angeles; Auburn, Ala.; Des Moines; Nashville; Richmond, […]

Short sales reached a record number in the third quarter of 2012 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed loans, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the mortgage giants’ regulator. Short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure were up 23 percent from a year ago, totaling 37,966 for the third quarter, FHFA reports. In June, Fannie and Freddie had implemented new timelines to speed up the review and approval of short sales. Meanwhile, Fannie and Freddie’s inventories of REO homes is […]

Matthew is a full time real estate agent with a BA in Accounting/Finance. He has built his business in real estate from satisfied customer referrals. Matthew works hard to help clients find the home of their dreams. He understands the needs of the gay communit and provides great insight for clients interested in moving to the area. Matthew combines his knowledge of real estate in Colorado Springs with the latest technology to offer superb email services of available listings in […]

Marc’s goals are to provide not only the best real estate services available, but sound guidance to all his clients. It has never been just about the sale, it’s about helping you achieve home ownership and the many tangible and in-tangible benefits that owning a home can bring. Your real estate experience is not tied to any expectations ~ Rather the focus is on your particular needs and wants, creating an environment that allows you the freedom to find a […]

Home sellers are facing less competition from foreclosures, which some credit as accounting for the rise in home prices in many markets. Foreclosure often drag home prices down. But tighter inventory will likely be the main driver of home prices this year, according to economists. CoreLogic says that home prices are on track to post their first yearly gain since 2006. The number of homes in some stage of the foreclosure process has fallen 20 percent from a year ago, […]

Home prices are inching up across the country, as a housing recovery ripples through once hard-hit areas. AOL Real Estate, drawing from Trulia housing data, recently highlighted the top “turnaround housing markets” that have seen the biggest jumps in median home prices in the past year. Las Vegas Median home price for fourth quarter of 2012: $147,000 Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +27.5% Seattle Median home price: $299,950 Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +24% Phoenix Median home price: $189,000 Difference […]

Home buyers are purchasing for keeps, planning to remain in their homes an average of 13 years before moving out, according to new research by the National Association of Home Builders. First-time home buyers are expected to stay in a home a shorter amount of time—11 and a half years—compared to about 15 years for home buyers who have owned a home previously. The length of stay for trade-up buyers has consistently been longer than first-time home buyers. “Since 2001, […]

A tax break for forgiven mortgage debt that was set to expire Dec. 31 was extended by lawmakers when they dodged the “fiscal cliff” this week. The tax break, which has been extended to the end of 2013, allows home owners facing short sales, reduced loan principals, or foreclosures to avoid paying taxes on any debt still owed to the bank. Otherwise, the debt would have been taxed by the IRS as income. The tax break first took effect in […]

Detailed information on the nation’s housing sector for homeowner as well as renter experiences are available for the first time with American FactFinder data access tool. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development posted the survey results on the quality of housing in the nation, with the most interesting result being households pay more per month compared to renters. On average, households pay $927 per month, or 24% of their household income for housing. […]