Monthly Archives: January 2011

Austin Mortgage Market Update – For the week of January 31, 2011

January 31, 2011

Last week was packed with housing market data and the news does keep getting better even though the media hasn’t caught on quite yet. Wednesday saw December New Home Sales UP 17.5%, blowing away forecasts with a 329,000 annual rate. The supply of new homes dropped to 6.9 months and the new homes inventory slid to 190,000, down 66.8% from its 2006 peak and at the lowest level since 1968. More good news came with an 8.5% boost in the median home price versus a year ago, to $241,500, its highest level since April 2008. The average home price registered a 4.7% gain compared to a year ago. Continue reading →

2011 Central Texas Homestead Exemption Forms

January 27, 2011

Here, you will find the Texas Homestead exemption form you need to fill out and mail to the County Tax Assessor’s Office. Continue reading →

Dallas & Forth Worth (DWF) Zip Code Maps on MaxLeaman.com

January 25, 2011

MaxLeaman.com is excited to announce the addition of original zip code maps for Dallas, Fort Worth, and DFW. These Texas zip code maps are exclusively available on MaxLeaman.com. We hope these Dallas zip code maps are helpful during your online … Continue reading →

How President Obama’s State of the Union Address will Impact Economy and Mortgage Markets

January 24, 2011

The focus this week will be directed at President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, the first FOMC meeting of 2011 on Wednesday, and the first release of fourth quarter GDP results on Friday. Continue reading →

Austin Mortgage Market Update – For the week of January 24, 2011

January 24, 2011

Thursday saw Existing Home Sales shoot up 12.3% in December, to an annual rate of 5.28 million, well ahead of the 4.87 million rate the consensus expected. Overall, existing home sales are off 2.9% compared to a year ago, but that’s when sales were artificially boosted by the homebuyer tax credits. All regions showed sales gains in single family homes, condos and coops. Continue reading →

Austin mortgage rates move a little lower last week

January 17, 2011

Favorable conditions helped Austin mortgage rates move a little lower last week. The inflation data released during the week showed that inflation continued to remain at very low levels. In addition, demand for longer-term Treasury securities was strong. Continue reading →

Austin Mortgage Market Update – For the week of January 17, 2011

January 17, 2011

Down in Orlando, Florida, last week there were more housing market forecasts for the year just begun. Bottom line? Housing economists are cautiously optimistic about a recovery during 2011. These economists were presenting their views at the annual meeting of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). None of the experts see a robust upturn for housing. But they do feel that home sales, which have been in a bit of a stall, may start to recover soon. Continue reading →

Austin Mortgage Market Update – For the week of January 10, 2011

January 10, 2011

Last week’s housing market news featured forecasts for the year. With the factors affecting home affordability at their best levels in years, many expect increased home sales in 2011, spurred on by the expected improvements in the job situation. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported existing homes sales up for November, returning to growth after hitting bottom in July. Existing homes are now at their strongest sales pace since the home buyer tax credit expired in April. Continue reading →

Where do we begin on this first trading day of the new year? How about at the beginning. Before we can do that, let’s review 2010

January 3, 2011

So what’s ahead in 2011? No one knows for sure. We do know that treasury and mortgage pricing will be looking for clues. Clues as to whether or not the economy is really expanding or needs more time to clear the mine fields. Continue reading →

Austin Mortgage Market Update – For the week of January 3, 2011

January 3, 2011

Last week saw the year finish on a high note for the housing market with Pending Home Sales for November coming in UP 3.5%, after this figure was expected to be down slightly for the month. This reading measures homes under contract, and therefore should point to an increase in closings in the January-February time frame. Continue reading →