housing market: What Is Happening In The Minneapolis Housing Market? - 11/05/12 04:37 AM
The Minneapolis housing market is unique and is proving to be one of the most resilant housing markets in the country.  
The Minneapoils housing market did take its fair share of losses in home values but over the year we have begun to make up ground and currently ranks 3rd out of the 20 cities the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Values Indicies as far as increase in home values on a year over year basis, which shows a 7.4 percent increase in home values.
Why Are Home Values In Minneapolis Increasing? Minneapolis home values are increasing simply because there is an abundance … (0 comments)

housing market: Minneapolis Housing Market Update October 29, 2012 - 10/29/12 08:01 AM
The Minneapolis housing market continues to improve for home buyers and home sellers alike as Minnesota mortgage rates remain near historic lows.  However, a recent foreclosure report may weaken the Minneapolis housing market as the year wears on.
New listings in the Twin Cities metro has posted positive gains for the fourth week in a row and is now showing an increase of 1.5 percent over a 3 month period when compared to last year, according to the latest Weekly Market Activity Report from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.
Could it be that homeowners are beginning to gain enough equity in … (0 comments)

housing market: Minneapolis Housing Market As Of October 1, 2012 - 10/01/12 04:23 AM
The Minneapolis housing market continues to be ripe for homebuyers looking to purchase a home during the fall of 2012.  Traditionally, the fall and winter seasons throughout the Minneapolis housing market brings forward less competition which translates into lower sales prices.
According to the Weekly Market Activity Report from the Minneapolis Area Associations of Realtors released October 1, 2012, the Twin Cities region lost 1.1 percent of new listings, added 22.8 percent pending sales and inventory decreased by 29.4 percent for the week ending September 22nd, 2012.
As for the month of August, the median sales price increased 14.8 percent, days … (0 comments)

housing market: The U.S. House of Representatives Passes American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act - 05/12/08 08:26 AM
The new act which was passed on May 8th, 2008 will help those facing foreclosure to refinance into an affordable FHA mortgage and help make homeownership more affordable for first time homebuyers.
The first amendment to the new act includes an amendment to the FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act which expands FHA programs so many borrowers in danger of losing their homes can refinance into a lower cost government insured mortgage they can afford.  The expansion is limited to owner occupied primary residences only and would also provide up to $230 million for financial counseling to help families stay … (0 comments)

housing market: Steps The MBA Believes Will Help Stabilize Housing Market - 05/04/08 04:54 PM
Step 1:  Modernize FHA
The FHA plays a vital role in helping low to moderate income famalies achieve homeownership.
Step 2: Tax Incentives
Offer a tax incentive for 1st time homebuyers to purchase foreclosed and abandoned properties.  The MBA believes this will spur the demand for housing and slow or even stop national home values from declining.
Step 3: Licensing Of Loan Originators
Individual loan originators should all be licensed and registered in a national database.  The instills consumer confidence in the professional handling all the paper work.
Step 4: "Rescue Plans"
A number of "rescue plans" have been proposed to Congress, the MBA ask for quick consideration of … (3 comments)

housing market: Have Home Prices Hit Bottom? - 03/24/08 05:48 AM
The data for February existing home sales are in, and the numbers came in stronger then expected. Could this be the first signal to the US housing market recovering?
At this point it is really hard to say as many lenders have begun to make home financing for A+ clients nearly impossible. Some lenders have even gone as far as to blackball some states in which they lend in.
Mortgage lenders are still losing money in their mortgage investments which will likely continue to push mortgage rates higher and keep pressure on home sales.
… (0 comments)