Blog – Page 718 of 759

24 Sep 2013

Highest Existing Home Sales Since February 2007

Housing Analysis

Sales of existing homes reached their highest volume in almost six years in August. The National Association of REALTORS reported Thursday that sales of existing homes rose 1.70 percent in August to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.48 million existing homes sold. This was the highest number of existing home sales since February of 2007. August's results exceeded estimates of 5.20 existing homes sold, which was based on July's unrevised reading of 5.39 million existing homes sold. The NAR also reported that the national median home price increased to $212,100 in August. This represents a year-over-year increase of 14.70 percent…

23 Sep 2013

By Mark Feder

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week — September 23, 2013

Housing Analysis

Last week's economic news was dominated by the Federal Reserve's decision not to taper its $85 billion in monthly securities purchases. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke noted in a scheduled statement after the Federal Open Market Committee meeting that economic conditions were not yet adequately improved to withstand any decrease in the federal quantitative easing program. The Fed also reaffirmed that the target federal funds rate would remain at 0.00 to 0.25 percent until the national unemployment rate reached 6.50 percent and inflation reaches 2.00 percent. The national unemployment rate was 7.30 percent and the Fed projects that inflation will remain…

20 Sep 2013

By Mark Feder

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Quick Tips To Beat Out Cash Buyers

Home Buyer Tips

You've been searching for the perfect home for quite a while, and finally, you've found it! You get all of your finances in order and place an offer on the house. However, you're not the only one that loves the home, because there are multiple offers — and one of them is cash. Cash buyers are seen as desirable because they're almost always a guaranteed quick close. They don't have to borrow money from a bank therefore won't have any financing hang-ups, which is where a large portion of offers fall through. Don't worry; not all hope is lost. Follow…

19 Sep 2013

By Mark Feder

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Fed Meeting Minutes Expose Mortgage Rates As Remaining Historically Low

Federal Reserve

The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve decided not to reduce the Fed's current quantitative easing program of purchasing $85 billion monthly in Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities. Going against wide expectations that the Fed would reduce the QE purchases, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that current economic conditions aren't strong enough to warrant tapering. The Federal Reserve May Reduce Monthly Securities Purchases The FOMC, which sets monetary policy for the Federal Reserve has hinted that it might soon reduce the monthly securities purchases, but has also stated that it would closely review emerging economic news and conditions…