Real Estate /
News
Published 02/07/2012 - 6:03 a.m. CST
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Monday released the
January edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a
comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. Data in the
January Housing Scorecard underscore fragility as the overall outlook
remains mixed. Inventories of existing homes for sale and the overhang
of homes held off market improved over the last two quarters and
foreclosure starts continued to fall in December. However, data on new
home sales and home prices offered mixed signals, while foreclosure
completions ticked upward.
“While we should be encouraged by the positive trends on inventories and foreclosure starts, the mixed overall outlook means that we must remain diligent to improve conditions in the nation’s housing market,” said HUD Assistant Secretary Raphael Bostic.
“While we should be encouraged by the positive trends on inventories and foreclosure starts, the mixed overall outlook means that we must remain diligent to improve conditions in the nation’s housing market,” said HUD Assistant Secretary Raphael Bostic.
Published 01/25/2012 - 3:47 p.m. CST
CYPRESS, TX - The master-planned community of Bridgeland is
expanding
its array of amenities, with a new park and sprayground starting
construction the first quarter of 2012.
The 3-acre park will be located in Bridgeland’s Water Haven community, a collection of eight neighborhoods where home prices begin in the $180,000s. The park will offer several active play spaces, including a sprayground with a tall custom water tower spray structure and low-profile bubbling sculptures for a variety of age ranges. Anchoring the sprayground is a pavilion that will offer picnic tables and proximity to barbecue grills. Children ages two to five will have a dedicated playground while older children can climb and slide in an adjacent play space. Near both playgrounds is a swing set area that caters to all ages.
Published 01/17/2012 - 10:42 a.m. CST
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December marks the seventh consecutive month of increased home sales;
2011 bests 2010 in sales volume and pricing
HOUSTON, TX — After several months in which home sales figures were skewed by the effects of the 2010 homebuyer tax credit, the Houston real estate market concluded 2011 solidly in the black. December marked the seventh straight month of increased home sales and the month contained a host of indicators suggesting a healthy start to the new year. Prices of single-family homes across Greater Houston for full-year 2011 were up slightly from 2010. The median price reached an all-time high for a December in Houston and months inventory hit its lowest level in two years.
HOUSTON, TX — After several months in which home sales figures were skewed by the effects of the 2010 homebuyer tax credit, the Houston real estate market concluded 2011 solidly in the black. December marked the seventh straight month of increased home sales and the month contained a host of indicators suggesting a healthy start to the new year. Prices of single-family homes across Greater Houston for full-year 2011 were up slightly from 2010. The median price reached an all-time high for a December in Houston and months inventory hit its lowest level in two years.
Published 01/11/2012 - 12:55 p.m. CST
The Access to Justice Initiative Tuesday released Foreclosure
Mediation: Emerging Research and Evaluation Practices, a report
resulting from a March 7, 2011, workshop with dozens of foreclosure
mediation program stakeholders and researchers. Foreclosure mediation
programs, in which a neutral third-party facilitates negotiations
between a lender and homeowner in an attempt to reach an alternative
to foreclosure or other mutually beneficial outcome, are increasingly
being adopted across the country in response to the nation’s
foreclosure crisis.
The report summarizes the workshop proceedings and compiles the most recent foreclosure mediation research and resources.
The report summarizes the workshop proceedings and compiles the most recent foreclosure mediation research and resources.
Published 12/14/2011 - 4:00 p.m. CST
Finding a new place to live just became easier for
consumers - who can now browse apartment on their smartphones.
Apartment 
Finder/ApartmentFinder.com recently
launched an additional mobile tool - a free Android App to make
looking
through photos, maps, and more information a better
experience for
apartment shoppers.
According to Nielson Research, more people will own smart phones than personal computers or laptops as soon as 2013 and comScore Research indicates that 73% of local searches (such as looking for a home) are currently performed through mobile web browsers.
Published 12/06/2011 - 7:23 a.m. CST
CYPRESS, TX – Bridgeland is one of five developments across the nation
named Community of the Year in The Nationals 2012 Silver
Awards.
The community, which most recently won the Developer of the Year Grand Award in the Texas Association of Builders’ Texas Star Awards, also won four other Silver Awards: Print Campaign, Special Promotion, Signage and Graphic Continuity. It was the third time Bridgeland has won a Silver Award for Community of the Year.
The wins advance the community to the next round of competition, The Nationals Gold Awards, which will be announced Feb. 8, 2012, in Orlando, Florida. The Nationals awards program is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders.
The community, which most recently won the Developer of the Year Grand Award in the Texas Association of Builders’ Texas Star Awards, also won four other Silver Awards: Print Campaign, Special Promotion, Signage and Graphic Continuity. It was the third time Bridgeland has won a Silver Award for Community of the Year.
The wins advance the community to the next round of competition, The Nationals Gold Awards, which will be announced Feb. 8, 2012, in Orlando, Florida. The Nationals awards program is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders.
Published 11/21/2011 - 7:57 a.m. CST
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TAMPA, FL – The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
(IBHS) reminds people who are traveling during the holiday season that
taking a few simple steps before you leave can keep your home or
business safe while you are away.
"Property protection measures are crucial for unoccupied homes and businesses,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “Little things that go undiscovered and/or unrepaired because no one is around to notice can quickly grow into serious, much more costly catastrophes.”
The IBHS brochure “Is Your Home Alone?” outlines things property owners can do to protect their homes while they are vacant. Among the most important things homeowners should do include:
"Property protection measures are crucial for unoccupied homes and businesses,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “Little things that go undiscovered and/or unrepaired because no one is around to notice can quickly grow into serious, much more costly catastrophes.”
The IBHS brochure “Is Your Home Alone?” outlines things property owners can do to protect their homes while they are vacant. Among the most important things homeowners should do include:
Published 11/18/2011 - 2:56 p.m. CST
WASHINGTON, DC – November 15, the Council for Citizens Against
Government Waste (CCAGW) issued a statement of stern opposition to the
inclusion of an amendment to the fiscal year (FY) 2012 Agriculture,
Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Transportation/Housing and Urban
Development (THUD) Appropriations “minibus” that would allow the
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to increase its eligible loan
limit to $729,750. The Senate version of the bill included an
amendment by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
that would raise the cap on loans that the FHA can insure and that
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase to $729,750, while the House
bill had no such provision. The loan limit expired at the end of
September and was reduced to $625,000, which was still much higher
than the $417,000 limit prior to the housing crash of 2008.
Published 11/06/2011 - 7:45 a.m. CST
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WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this week, the Council for Citizens Against
Government Waste (CCAGW) sent a letter to Congress expressing strong
opposition to an attempt to include language into an upcoming
mini-omnibus spending bill that would ratchet up the loans limits that
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are permitted to purchase to $729,000. The
limit had dropped on September 30 to $625,000.
The Senate voted 60-38 on October 20 in favor of an amendment sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) to its fiscal year (FY) 2012 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill that would raise the cap on the size of loan that can be purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-backed mortgage giants that have received a taxpayer-funded bailout of $169 billion to date.
The Senate voted 60-38 on October 20 in favor of an amendment sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) to its fiscal year (FY) 2012 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill that would raise the cap on the size of loan that can be purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-backed mortgage giants that have received a taxpayer-funded bailout of $169 billion to date.
Published 01/14/2012 - 7:17 a.m. CST
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HOUSTON – Forbes.com has an article about housing markets in the U.S. which are likely to make a recovery this year and Houston is high on the list. Strong job market, population growth, and incomes that are growing rapidly make up the key factors in seeing a rebound in the housing market.
“Oil doesn’t just heat homes, it also heats up a housing market. Cities where oil and natural gas are key components of the local economy have not only fared well in the downturn, they’ve thrived,” Forbes reports."
Published 12/20/2011 - 11:25 a.m. CST
November prices are mixed as indicators reflect a healthy year-end
market
HOUSTON, TX — Consumers kept the Houston real estate market humming in November, accounting for the sixth consecutive month of positive home sales this year. The year-over-year increase in single-family homes sales, along with another rise in pending sales and further decline in months inventory, reflects a market that continues to benefit from a healthy absorption of housing inventory as 2011 winds down.
November sales of single-family homes rose 11.4 percent versus one year earlier, according to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 4.1 percent. All segments of the housing market experienced growth except for the luxury segment—those homes priced from $500,000 and above—whose decline pulled down the overall average price. The median price saw its biggest increase since February of this year.
HOUSTON, TX — Consumers kept the Houston real estate market humming in November, accounting for the sixth consecutive month of positive home sales this year. The year-over-year increase in single-family homes sales, along with another rise in pending sales and further decline in months inventory, reflects a market that continues to benefit from a healthy absorption of housing inventory as 2011 winds down.
November sales of single-family homes rose 11.4 percent versus one year earlier, according to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 4.1 percent. All segments of the housing market experienced growth except for the luxury segment—those homes priced from $500,000 and above—whose decline pulled down the overall average price. The median price saw its biggest increase since February of this year.
Published 12/08/2011 - 11:21 a.m. CST
JPMorgan Chase Remains in Need of Substantial Improvement in Latest
Administration Servicer Assessment, Faces Potential Permanent
Reduction in Financial Incentives under Making Home Affordable
Program
Administration Continues to Withhold Financial Incentives from JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Wednesday released the November edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. Included in this month’s report are detailed assessments for the 10 largest mortgage servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program with results from the third quarter of 2011. In addition to providing greater transparency about servicer performance in the program, the servicer assessments – first introduced in June 2011 and published quarterly – are intended to set a new industry benchmark for disclosure around servicer efforts to assist struggling homeowners, while prompting them to correct identified deficiencies.
Administration Continues to Withhold Financial Incentives from JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Wednesday released the November edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. Included in this month’s report are detailed assessments for the 10 largest mortgage servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program with results from the third quarter of 2011. In addition to providing greater transparency about servicer performance in the program, the servicer assessments – first introduced in June 2011 and published quarterly – are intended to set a new industry benchmark for disclosure around servicer efforts to assist struggling homeowners, while prompting them to correct identified deficiencies.
Published 12/05/2011 - 3:08 p.m. CST
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of the Special Inspector General for the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury
announced the creation of a joint task force to combat scams targeted
at homeowners seeking to apply for the Home Affordable Modification
Program (HAMP). SIGTARP, the CFPB, and Treasury have partnered to
protect taxpayers by investigating and shutting down these scams and
by providing education programs to vulnerable homeowners. The joint
task force today issued a consumer fraud alert to protect homeowners
from HAMP-related mortgage modification scams. The fraud alert will
also be provided directly to homeowners eligible for HAMP.
Published 11/20/2011 - 11:41 a.m. CST
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of the Special Inspector General for the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) Wednesday announced that it
has shut down 85 alleged online mortgage modification scams that prey
on vulnerable homeowners through Web banners and other Web
advertisements. SIGTARP investigates mortgage modification schemes in
which companies charge struggling homeowners a fee in exchange for
false promises of lowering the homeowner’s mortgage through TARP’s
housing program known as the Home Affordable Modification Program
(HAMP). Google, in cooperation with an ongoing criminal SIGTARP
investigation of these scams, has suspended advertising relationships
with more than 500 Internet advertisers and agents associated with the
85 alleged online mortgage fraud schemes and related deceptive
advertising.
Published 11/17/2011 - 6:24 a.m. CST
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Average price hits an October high as increased pending sales and
declining months inventory signal ongoing market stability
HOUSTON, TX — The Houston real estate market has added reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving season after logging a fifth straight month of positive home sales in October. The year-over-year increase in single-family homes sales, coupled with a rise in pending sales and continued decline in months inventory, signals a market that is benefitting from a healthy absorption of housing inventory. Adding to the positive report is an average price that achieved an all-time high for an October in Houston.
According to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), October sales of single-family homes rose 9.1 percent versus one year earlier.
HOUSTON, TX — The Houston real estate market has added reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving season after logging a fifth straight month of positive home sales in October. The year-over-year increase in single-family homes sales, coupled with a rise in pending sales and continued decline in months inventory, signals a market that is benefitting from a healthy absorption of housing inventory. Adding to the positive report is an average price that achieved an all-time high for an October in Houston.
According to the latest monthly data prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), October sales of single-family homes rose 9.1 percent versus one year earlier.
Published 11/04/2011 - 3:09 p.m. CST
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the
U.S. Department of the Treasury yesterday released the October edition
of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive
report on the nation’s housing market. The latest housing data offer
continued mixed signals as new home sales rose compared to August, but
were still slightly down from the prior year. Mortgage defaults and
foreclosure sales continued a downward trend as more homeowners were
able to secure mortgage relief. However, foreclosure completions
ticked slightly upward in September after months of decline.
Also, beginning this month the Housing Scorecard will capture data on the Administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced efforts to ease refinance guidelines for homeowners.
Also, beginning this month the Housing Scorecard will capture data on the Administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced efforts to ease refinance guidelines for homeowners.
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