Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of May 14, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of May 14, 2012 - There are more and more opportunities to grab in the housing market. After almost six years of price declines, we're finally seeing signs of stability, as home prices rose in the first quarter in more than half the U.S. metro areas tracked by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The median price for existing homes sold was higher than a year ago in 51% of the areas -- 74 of 146 metros.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of May 7, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of May 7, 2012 - Happily, it's becoming easier to believe the housing market is turning around, although in fits and starts. For example, the Q1 Advanced GDP report showed that home building increased for the period at a 19% annual rate, its fourth consecutive quarterly gain. In line with this, several home builders have recently reported higher sales and orders. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects new home sales UP 31.6% for 2012.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of April 30, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of April 30, 2012 - Those who continue to work the housing market are in fact seeing more opportunity. Thursday's Pending Home Sales rose in March to their highest level in almost two years when the looming expiration of the homebuyer tax credit was boosting sales. This National Association of Realtors (NAR) index is a measure of contracts signed for existing homes, which typically close a month or two out. It was UP a seasonally adjusted 4.1% for the month and UP a non-seasonally adjusted 10.8% from a year ago.
Getting Back to a Seller’s Market in Austin
Getting Back to a Seller’s Market in Austin - Unless you have been hiding under a rock the last few months you may have noticed we have entered into a seller’s market in Austin, Texas. Properties within 5 miles of downtown Austin are selling for more money and in less time than they have in years. However, this is not true for ALL of the properties on the market. It comes down to two separate factors: price and presentation.
The Top 3 Family Neighborhoods in San Antonio
The Top 3 Family Neighborhoods in San Antonio - San Antonio Mortgage - Thinking of buying a new home in San Antonio, Texas? If you’ve ever purchased a home you know that the process requires careful research and a long checklist of requirements. Finding a good neighborhood for you and your family requires you to ask important questions about whether your kids will attend quality schools, what activities are offered near home, and how long your daily commute would be.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of April 23, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of April 23, 2012 - People say home building can't recover any time soon. Yet the signs continue to mount that a recovery is underway. Off 5.8% for March, Housing Starts are up 10.3% from a year ago, to a 654,000 unit annual rate. The monthly drop came from volatile multi-family starts, while single-family units were down only 0.2%. And the number of homes under construction was up for the seventh month in a row! Even Building Permits are up 30.1% versus a year ago. It's early in the home building recovery, but some are saying we could get to 1.5 million units by 2016.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of April 16, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of April 16, 2012 - When people tell you the housing market isn't showing many positive signs, here are some facts that may change their minds. As of January, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported the housing inventory of for-sale homes has fallen to its lowest level since March 2005 -- 2.3 million homes, about a six-month supply. Meanwhile, total home sales rose 13% in the last six months, according to another industry survey.
Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate Investing
Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate Investing - Austin - New to the world of real estate investing? You'll be amazed at how much there is to learn. Start with these absolute fundamentals and try to grow from here. Invest, Don't Just Gather, Your Name Is Your Bond, Know Your Loans, Be Prompt, But Thorough, and The Seven-Digit Stretch.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of April 9, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of April 9, 2012 - Hopefully, more people will be taking a shot at buying a home, with home ownership regaining its appeal as rents head higher. A real estate research firm reported average apartment rents UP 2.7% last year, while the national vacancy rate went below 5% for the first time since 2001. Increasing rents, plus very affordable home prices and near record low mortgage rates, have made home buying cheaper than renting in most areas, spurring on first-time buyers.
Texas Mortgage Market Update – For the week of April 2, 2012
Texas Mortgage Market Update - For the week of April 2, 2012 - Last week's housing reports supported the fact there are great opportunities in today's real estate market, as long as you don't look at just part of the data and jump to conclusions. For example, February Pending Home Sales, measuring contracts on existing homes, were off 0.5% for the month. But wait a second, Pending Home Sales are now UP 13.9% over a year ago!