Monthly Archives: October 2009

Some days, newspaper headlines are a terrible place to get your real estate news. Today is one of those days. After the September New Home Sales report showed sales volume down from August, the mainstream media jumped on the story: … Continue reading →

For August, the Case-Shiller Index showed annual home values improving across 19 of 20 U.S. markets. It’s the first time in 3-plus years that the benchmark housing index has shown such strength. According to a Case-Shiller Index spokesperson, “The rate … Continue reading →

The national housing supply fell to a 2-year low last month, according to the National Association of Realtors

Mortgage markets were volatile last week, making it very difficult to shop for mortgage rates. On most days, lenders issued multiple rate sheets with the trend putting rates higher in the morning, and lower in the afternoon. Overall, mortgage rates … Continue reading →

According to the government, home values edged lower last month. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Price Index report shows values down by 0.3 percent from the month prior — the index’s first down month since April. The Home Price … Continue reading →

With crude oil at its highest levels since October 2008, retail gas is up 8 cents per gallon this week. It’s bad news for home buyers and mortgage rate shoppers. The same force that’s driving oil higher is linked to … Continue reading →

Housing Starts on single-family homes gained last month, marking the 8th time that’s happened this year. A “Housing Start” is a home for which the foundation has been excavated and, considered alongside other key market metrics, September data suggests that … Continue reading →

The new Good Faith Estimate makes its debut January 1, 2010. Expanded from 1page to 3, the legislators responsible for the new Good Faith Estimate want it to be simpler for homeowners and home buyers to understand than the former … Continue reading →

Mortgage markets worsened last week on better than expected economic data, causing mortgage rates to rise. Last week was the third consecutive week that mortgage rates moved higher and, since touching a multi-month low in early-October, conforming mortgage rates are … Continue reading →

Mortgage rates are higher after the Federal Reserve released the internal notes of its September 22-23, 2009 meeting. Known as the “Fed Minutes”, the report details the conversation and cross-currents that led to the Federal Reserve’s decision to vote “unchanged” … Continue reading →