NAR
With more than 1.3 million members, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) is the voice for real estate. Visit REALTOR.org to see how our real estate resources can benefit you.
REALTOR® magazine (http://www.realtor.org/realtormag) is the official magazine of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and the business tool for real estate professionals.
The magazine advances real estate best practices, brings expert insight to significant trends, and provides REALTORS® with timely decision-making tools on business purchases and strategies.
Contact:
Walt Molony
202/383-1177
1-800-874-6500
Tornado Recovery Underscores How Much Home Ownership Matters
Washington, DC - July 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- As NAR’s Home Ownership Matters bus crosses Alabama this week, Realtors® are providing assistance to victims of the April 27 tornadoes with funds raised from Realtor® donations across the country.
June Existing-Home Sales Slip on Contract Cancellations, but Prices Stabilize
Washington, DC - July 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales eased in June as contract cancellations spiked unexpectedly, although prices were up slightly, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Stabilizing the Housing Market is Key to the Economic Recovery, Say Realtors
Washington, DC - July 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Stability in the housing market will lead to a quicker and greater economic recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®. In a letter to Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Timothy Geithner, secretary of the Treasury; and Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, NAR offered its recommendations for helping stabilize and revitalize the housing industry and economy.
Bus Tour Brings Home Ownership Matters to Atlanta
Atlanta, GA - July 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home buyers across Georgia may have reduced access to mortgage funds this fall if Congress decides to reduce current Federal Housing Administration loan limits. That’s just one of the many issues th...
NAR Bus Tour Takes Home Ownership Issues Coast-to-Coast
Washington, DC - July 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- As policymakers consider changes to government programs and incentives that could dramatically change the nature of home ownership in this country, the National Association of Realtors® is once again bringing these issues to people across the country with the second phase of the Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour.
Realtors® Support Bill for Comprehensive Reform of Secondary Mortgage Market
Washington, DC - July 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The long-term viability of America’s housing finance market requires comprehensive reform of the secondary mortgage market. Toward that end, the National Association of Realtors® supports H.R. 2413, the “Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgage Act of 2011.”
Seven Out of 10 Renters Say Owning a Home is a Top Priority
Washington, DC - July 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to home ownership as a long-term goal. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released today by the National Association of Realtors®, 72 percent of renters surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.
Celebrating America’s History of Home Ownership
Washington, DC - July 1 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The ability to buy, sell and own property has defined our nation throughout its history, and as the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 235 birthday, Americans continue to reaffirm their support of and aspirations toward home ownership
Pending Home Sales Turn Around in May
Washington, DC - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales rose strongly in May with all regions experiencing gains from a year ago, pointing to higher housing activity in the second half of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Realtors® Urge Regulators to Reconsider Narrow QRM Definition
Washington, DC - June 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® is urging regulators to go back to the drawing board on the proposed Qualified Residential Mortgage rule.
Existing-Home Sales Decline in May with Market Constraints, Temporary Conditions
Washington, DC - June 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales were down in May as temporary factors and financing problems weighed on the market, according to the National Association of Realtors
Realtors® Support Legislation for Comprehensive GSE Reform
Washington, DC - June 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® supports comprehensive reform of America’s housing finance market that protects taxpayers and ensures the availability of affordable mortgage credit today and into the future.
Realtor® Nationwide Open House Weekend Opens Doors to Home Ownership
Washington, DC - June 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly half of all home buyers visit open houses during their home search. This weekend, those numbers may swell as buyers across the country take advantage of the Realtor® Nationwide Open House, June 4-5.
Realtor® Volunteering Works Program Announces 2011 Winners
Chicago, IL - June 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Society has announced the recipients of the third annual Volunteering Works program, which matches Realtors® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors and awards them grant money.
NAR Grants Help Make Home Ownership an Affordable Opportunity
Washington, DC - May 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Seventeen local and state Realtor® associations have been awarded over $60,000 through the Housing Opportunity Program Grants, a National Association of Realtors® grant program. The funds will be used by the associations to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in their communities.
April Pending Home Sales Drop After Two Monthly Gains
Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales fell in April with regional variations following increases in February and March, with unusual weather and economic softness adding to ongoing problems that are hobbling a recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Realtors® Continue to Push Congress for Comprehensive GSE Strategy
Washington, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® supports a secondary mortgage market model with some level of government participation that would protect taxpayers and ensure that creditworthy consumers have access to affordable mortgage capital in all markets at all times.
Realtors® Advocate Higher Loan Limits and Low Down Payment for FHA
Washington, DC - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Administration plays a critical role in the nation’s housing financing system, providing safe, affordable mortgage financing to consumers in all markets during all economic conditions, the National Association of Realtors® said in testimony today
Commercial Real Estate Markets Stabilizing, Demand Growing
Washington, DC - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The improving economy and job creation mean growing demand for commercial real estate, according to the National Association of Realtors®
“30 Under 30″ Realtors® Grounded in Present, Look to the Future
Washington, DC - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- REALTOR® Magazine’s 2011 “30 Under 30” honorees exemplify the personal drive many Realtors® have to be the best and provide a high level of service to their clients, despite tough market conditions and a constantly evolving industry.
April Existing-Home Sales Ease
Washington, DC - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales slipped in April, although the market has managed six gains in the past nine months, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, eased 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million in April from a downwardly revised 5.09 million in March, and are 12.9 percent below a 5.80 million pace in April 2010; sales surged in April and May of 2010 in response to the home buyer tax credit.
Foreign Buyers Recognize Value of Home Ownership in U.S.
Washington, DC - May 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. continues to remain a top destination for foreign buyers as international purchases surged by $16 billion this year, one of the highest increases in recent years.
NAR Member Survey Shows Focus on Training, Commitment to Profession
Washington, DC - May 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Realtors® have been focusing more on training to help them better meet the needs of clients in a housing market with unique challenges, according to the 2011 National Association of Realtors® Member Profile.
New NAR Benefits Partner Improves Realtor®-Client Communications
Washington, DC - May 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- As Realtors® and their clients becoming increasingly more mobile, Realtors® must ensure that buyers and sellers can reach them at a moment’s notice. Ifbyphone, a voice-based marketing automation platform, provides a solution that enhances voice transactions and is now available to members of the National Association of Realtors® through the REALTOR Benefits® Program.
Minority Homeownership Award Winners Help Others Realize, Sustain American Dream
WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- While the past few years have been challenging for many, owning a home continues to be a goal for Americans of every background, according to John D. Trasviña, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
New Realtor® Certification Helps Members Grow Business
WASHINGTON, DC - May 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the changing real estate landscape and the increased use of broker price opinions (BPOs) by market participants, the National Association of Realtors® has launched a new certification, BPO Resource, recognizing Realtors® who have completed NAR’s new BPO education program. The new certification course was offered here during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
NAR Expands Home Ownership Through Diversity Initiative Grants
Washington, DC - May 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® has awarded four state and local Realtor® associations with $15,000 through its Diversity Initiative Grants Program. Award recipients were announced at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C., this week.
NAR Chief Economist Sees Sluggish but Improving Commercial Outlook
Washington, DC - May 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The commercial real estate market continues a slow pace toward recovery with occupancy rates rising in the office and industrial properties in most major cities across the U.S. supported by rising employment and restocking of wholesale inventory, according to National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. At the “Economics Issues and Commercial Business Trends Forum,” Yun identified bright spots and challenges within the commercial sector.
Realtors® Urge Regulators to Rethink Mortgage Requirements
Washington, DC - May 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A proposed rule to define qualified residential mortgages (QRM) under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) would unnecessarily restrict access to home ownership. Realtors® at the Real Estate Services Forum – The Impact of Dodd-Frank on Real Estate session today during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo gained insights into the implications of a narrowly defined QRM.
Housing and Economic Forecasts Points to Rising Activity
WASHINGTON, DC - May 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales are expected to stay on an uptrend through 2012, although the performance will be uneven with mortgage constraints weighing on the market, according to experts at a residential real estate forum today at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.
