Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a study that shows that buyers in two Bay Area markets pay the largest premiums for homes in top-ranking school districts. Also, mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest levels in two months.
Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a report that construction of new single-family homes is up solidly across the country, with Western states leading the way.
Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a report that Bay Area home sales leveled off in August and prices dipped slightly. Also, a discussion on the impact of rising mortgage rates and a report on homeowners regaining equity. And in the we’re-not-making-this-up department, observers see a link between rising home prices and divorce rates.
A recent survey found stark differences in the choices made by homebuyers depending on age. Younger buyers, for example, typically choose older homes, and the age of the property declines as age of the buyer increases.
A recent home-affordability report shows that prices continue to rise beyond the reach of most Californians, but houses are still a bargain when compared to six years ago, when only 11 percent of the state’s residents could afford to buy a home.
Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a report that distressed homes accounted for only 20 percent of sales in June, down from 42 percent a year earlier. Also, new-home sales reached a five-year high in June, while existing-home sales were up 15.2 percent from a year ago.
Instead of putting a damper on sales, the prospect of rising interest rates will likely drive homebuyers to make a deal sooner rather than later, making for a busy summer and fall.
Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a Trulia study that shows urban homes are gaining value quicker than suburban houses. Also, pending home sales hit levels not seen since 2006, while international buying activity in the U.S. cooled off.
Recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious includes a reminder from Freddie Mac that interest rates are expected to remain near their 60-year historical lows — at least through the end of 2013. Also, sales of existing homes reached their highest levels in nearly four years, while builders scrambled to catch up with demand.
