Posts Tagged ‘Market Economics’

After several years of Great Recession uncertainty, it’s becoming more apparent confidence, which fuels the market, is on the rebound. To understand what this may mean for our housing market, let’s look at historic trends. After all, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Recession 1981 – 1982 (1 year 4 months) Recovery [...]

It’s often said homeownership is the American dream and the safest place to invest one’s earnings. No doubt, owning real estate for most is the single greatest purchase endeavor they’ll undertake in their lifetime.   Whether real estate is a good investment depends primarily on one variable factor; time. Many homeowners were injured by the [...]

All signs point to a robust housing market recovery. Foremost, home builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes increased for the fifth consecutive month in February, reaching the longest period of sustained improvement since 2007. The index, as measured by a National Association of Home Builders’ survey, rose from 25 to 29 on [...]

While borrowers still have to document income, assets and debt, lenders are starting to loosen loan guidelines. You or someone you know may benefit from the following loan types: ·         3% Downpayment Conventional ·         5% Downpayment Conventional/No Mortgage Insurance   For savvy borrowers who are certain they will only be in a home for a [...]

According to statistics released Monday by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Seattle median home prices rose three percent year-over-year. Buyers have fewer homes to consider as the total number of houses and condos on the market last month decreased by 32 percent in King County and by 38 percent in Seattle from February 2011, according [...]

Tax Benefits on a Refinance – Did you refinance last year? Be sure to make the most of it: http://www.smartmoney.com/taxes/income/the-tax-benefits-of-refinancing-1329845305909/?link=SM_hp_featStory FHA Loan Expense Increase – It’s official, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures loans, will be increasing costs by an estimated 57 percent: http://justrealseattle.com/2012/02/fha-premium-increase/ Obama Cuts Costs for Some Loans – For those considering [...]

By Chris Sailus, Umpqua Bank Special Guest Blogger The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced a 75-percent increase to one part of its insurance premium program as a way to stave off a potential bailout from the U.S. Treasury.

Pending sales may not appear to be much higher than 2011 (up 13.7 percent in January), but the numbers are very positive, especially considering such factors as harsh weather and the tax credits that boosted sales at this time a year ago. The latest figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service show pending sales in January [...]

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell last week to a record low, the ninth time that has happened in the last year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.87 percent. That is below the previous record of 3.88 hit two weeks ago. The average [...]

Our region’s year over year real estate sales have increased by 36.2 percent, according to Kirkland-based Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). One of the sub-markets with vigorous activity is North Seattle. The number of homes currently in escrow nearly matches