housing market: Most Americans Are Upbeat About Housing Pricing - 04/08/11 05:41 AM
A large majority of Americans believe home prices will stabilize over the next 12 months, according to the latest national housing survey from Fannie Mae. Nearly four out of five Americans (78 percent) believe housing prices will hold steady or increase over the next 12 months, up from 73 percent a year ago. But nearly two-thirds (61 percent) still believe that the economy is on the wrong track, which is unchanged from last year.
The survey also finds that younger Americans, Hispanics and African-Americans have more positive views about owning a home than the general population. Almost six out of 10 … (1 comments)

housing market: Americans Remain Upbeat About Homeownership - 03/21/11 06:59 AM
Even as many homeowners struggle to make mortgage payments and foreclosures weigh down the housing market, 70 percent of Americans still view homeownership as part of the American Dream, according to a recent Trulia survey. More than three out of four homeowners (78 percent) say their homes are the best investment they ever made. Only 20 percent say they feel trapped in their "underwater" homes, while 14 percent say they would walk away from their homes if they could.
The survey also finds that members of the Millenial generation have gained an appreciation of homeownership. More than one in four (26 … (0 comments)

housing market: Housing Starts Rise, Builder Confidence Remains Stable - 03/15/11 08:36 AM
Housing starts rose 14.6 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 596,000 from December when housing starts were an estimated 520,000, but they were 2.6 percent below the January 2010 rate of 612,000, according to the latest figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department. However, permits for new construction fell 10.4 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 562,000 from the December rate of 627,000 and they were 10.7 percent below the January 2010 estimate of 629,000. As the market for new homes continues to stall, builder confidence remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive month, according … (1 comments)

housing market: First-Time Buyers perfer "move-in" Ready Homes - 02/28/11 11:37 AM
A new survey by Coldwell Banker finds that 87 percent of first-time homebuyers who purchased their home within the past year preferred a move-in ready home to one that would require some work.
A home's location to area amenities was also important to first-time buyers. Nearly four out of five buyers (78 percent) say it was important to find a home close to retail shops and services while three-fourths wanted to be close to their jobs and nearly two-thirds wanted to be near highly-rated schools.
Many buyers were surprised by the immediate benefits they received once they purchased their first home. … (2 comments)

housing market: Trend Towards Smaller Homes Continue - 11/29/10 12:16 PM
New single-family homes are getting smaller, and the trend is likely to last well beyond the recession, according to research from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). The median size of a new single-family home has dropped from a peak of 2,268 square feet in 2006 to 2,100 square feet in 2009. Homebuilders attribute the recent decline in home size to consumers' desire to keep energy costs down, the lack of equity in existing homes available to roll over into new ones, tighter credit standards, less interest in buying homes as investments, and a growing number of first-time buyers. Despite the … (1 comments)

housing market: Housing Starts Rise, Builder Confidence Improves - 05/04/10 09:12 AM
Housing starts rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 626,000 in March, 1.6 percent higher than the 616,000 estimated in February and 20.2 percent higher than the 521,000 estimated a year ago, according to the latest figures compiled by the U.S. Commerce Department.
Permits for new residential construction rose 7.5 percent in March to 685,000 from 637,000 in February, and they were 34.1 percent higher than the March 2009 estimate of 511,000.
Builder confidence rose four points this month to reach its highest level since September 2009, spurred by increased activity from buyers, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing … (1 comments)