Home Values

Home Values

More Home Owners are Remodeling As Home Equity Returns

Home remodeling saw greater demand in the third quarter as a growth in home equity and home sales prompted more home owners to tackle remodeling projects, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ home remodeling index. The remodeling market index moved higher in the third
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10% of Home Owners Still Underwater

As prices rise, more home owners are regaining equity. But some metros are still facing a disproportionate number of underwater home owners, those who owe more on their home than it is currently worth. Nationwide, 10.6 percent—or 5.3 million—of all mortgage holders remain underwater. Still,
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Half of all Renters Spend 30% or More Income on Housing

Freddie Mac reports that residents of apartment communities that include five or more rental units currently make up 15 million U.S. households — a figure that is expected to climb with shifting demographics and housing preferences. Such factors as demographic trends, household formations, and
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Closing a New Generation Gap in real estate based on Baby Boomers

Economists who predict underperformance in real estate based on Baby Boomers downsizing are overlooking another huge demographic trend. Each day about 8,000 baby boomers turn 65, and many of them wish to downsize. Given the smaller size of the Generation X or baby bust generation (those born
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Higher Home Prices Lead to More Sales

If home prices edge higher, the housing market will see higher home sales, according to a new paper by two senior economists with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The economists note that it’s not that the higher prices entice buyers as much as the higher prices entice owners to sell
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Home Ownership Barriers Vary by Age

Many Americans are still facing obstacles in buying a home. But depending on the age group, the biggest hurdle can be quite different, according to the Country Financial Security Index, which measures Americans’ sentiments on personal financial security. For example, members of Generation Y as
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Under HAMP more Homeowners are Receiving Principal Reductions

As of September, more than 1.2 million homeowners have received a permanent modification through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), according to Treasury Those granted permanent relief through HAMP are saving approximately $547 on their mortgage payments each month--almost a 40
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Stellar jobs report is downer for housing

Employment is good for housing. No question. But it is just not as simple as that when it comes to today's unique housing recovery. This recovery needs more construction, more jobs for younger Americans, and more credit. Friday's October jobs report provided none of that. Employment among 25- to
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The Richest Real Estate in the World

The title “world’s richest piece of real estate” may conjure up images of Rodeo Drive, the French Riviera or New York City’s Fifth Avenue, but it may actually be located in … Botswana. According to Debswana, a mining conglomerate jointly owned by De Beers and the Botswana government,
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5 questions to help you choose between a 30-year mortgage or 15 – Part 6

Do you have a strict savings plan? Choosing a 15-year mortgage over a 30-year mortgage also may be a worthwhile choice if you are not a disciplined saver. But many people may lack the discipline needed to save long-term, Cecala noted, especially in amounts that would offset what they would save
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