Marketing & Statistics

Destin, FL - June 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Consumer confidence in the housing market remains incredibly low, according to a new opinion poll conducted by Housing Predictor. The study shows little improvement in the way people think and feel about markets nearly three years after the housing market crashed

NFCC Poll Reveals Discouraging Forecast for Housing Market Silver Spring, MD - June 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In recognition of June as National Housing Month, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) polled consumers regarding their ability to meet the down-payment requirements associated with buying a home in today’s market.

Washington, DC - June 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today NeighborWorks America, the administrator of the Congressionally authorized National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program, announced that of the more than 870,000 homeowners who received foreclosure prevention counseling as a result of NFMC funding through January 31, 2010, 21 percent were Hispanic homeowners, more than twice their representation of total homeowners. In all, 52 percent of NFMC Program clients were minority homeowners, or more than twice the overall percentage of minority homeowners.

Anchorage, AK - June 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to make geothermal power projects economically viable and to produce more affordable and reliable electric power for homes and businesses, Governor Sean Parnell signed Senate Bill 243 today.SB 243, sponsored by Senator Lesil McGuire, encourages safe exploration for and development of Alaska’s enormous geothermal energy. The bill moves jurisdiction over the permitting and inspection of geothermal wells and operations from the Department of Natural Resources to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Representative Charisse Millett was instrumental in the passage of the legislation

McLean, VA - June 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.79 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending June 3, 2010, up slightly from last week when it averaged 4.78 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.29 percent.

WALTHAM, MA - June 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that the number of single-family homes put under agreement in May were down 3.0 percent over the same time last year, while condominiums were down 6.0 percent. May is the first month since July 2009 that the number of both single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement has decreased compared to the year before.

Washington, DC - June 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today NeighborWorks America announced a series of consumer outreach efforts to support affordable, sustainable and healthy homes and communities during the 2010 National Homeownership Month.

Consumers Need Reliable Information to Make Smart Decisions Washington, D.C. - June 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — June is National Homeownership Month and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the nation’s nearly 8,000 community banks are offering prospective homebuyers the information they need to help them navigate the home-buying process.

Las Vegas, NV - May 31, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) - The following summarizes the ways to avoid foreclosure but not keep the home. Even though you may not be able to keep your home, it is important to work with your servicer during this process. Walking away from your home without consulting with your servicer may result in a foreclosure reported in your credit file, tax consequences, and/or a deficiency balance for loan proceeds not recovered in a foreclosure sale. If keeping your home is not a viable option, your loan servicer may have alternatives available to absolve the mortgage and home

McLean, VA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.78 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 27, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.84 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.91 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending December 3, 2009, when it averaged 4.71 percent.

McLean, VA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that its Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index (CMHPI) Purchase-Only Series for the United States registered a 1.1 percent decline from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. In the first quarter of 2010, the U.S. Index was down 2.1 percent (-8.0 percent annualized) relative to the fourth quarter, on a not-seasonally adjusted basis

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 21, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 11.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 10.3 percent compared with the previous wee

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that it plans to issue a new two-year USD Reference Notes® security, CUSIP number 3137EACK3, due on July 27, 2012. The issue will be priced on Thursday, May 27, 2010, and will settle on Friday May 28, 2010, at benchmark size

WASHINGTON, DC - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In 2007, nearly 13 million low-income persons paid more than half their monthly income for rent, lived in severely substandard housing, or both. In a report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that these "worst case housing needs" grew significantly between 2001 and 2007.

Washington, DC - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Vacancy rates continue to rise in most commercial sectors and are not expected to level out in most markets until the end of this year or early 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released new home sales data for April 2010. Sales of new single-family houses rose 14.8 percent in April to 504,000 units, well above the expectations of 425,000 units and a 3.4 percent monthly increase. New home sales have risen 47.8 percent above their level in April a year ago

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales decreased 8.1 percent in April in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home rose 21 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today

Albany, NY - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York state housing market continued to improve as April 2010 sales jumped nearly 20 percent compared to April 2009, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price also rose by more than 8 percent compared to April 2009.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois housing market saw positive indicators nearly across the board in April with upward momentum in home prices and sales jumping 34.4 percent on the heels of the homebuyer tax credit deadline. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in April 2010 were up 34.4 percent, totaling 10,323 homes sold compared to April 2009 sales of 7,683 homes. The median price in April 2010 was $157,450, up 5.0 percent from $150,000 in April 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

ORLANDO, FL - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 27 percent in April, which means that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison for 20 months, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Another positive sign: Last month’s statewide existing-home median price of $140,100 was 1 percent higher than the statewide median price in April 2009.Existing home sales rose 27 percent last month with a total of 16,781 homes sold statewide compared to 13,244 homes sold in April 2009, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased nearly 3 percent over statewide sales activity in March. Meanwhile, April’s statewide existing-home median price was 2.3 percent higher than March’s statewide existing-home median price of $137,000. It marks the second month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month’s median.

SACRAMENTO, CA - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After three straight months of gains, total housing starts in California dipped slightly in April, but year-to-date totals were still above 2009, the California Building Industry Association announced today

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United Properties announces that it has signed a lease with Avtex at Northland Center, formerly Northland Executive Office Center, in Bloomington, Minn. The technology company Avtex will move into its 15,000-sq.-ft. space in fall 2010 from its current location at SouthTech Plaza in Bloomington. With the new lease and other lease extensions, the latest transaction adds a new tenant to the United Properties-owned 465,000-sq.-ft. office complex and brings the occupancy to 87 percent.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --Existing-home sales rose again in April with buyers motivated by the tax credit, improving consumer confidence and favorable affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that nine men engaged in a Southern California boiler room, tricked out in high-roller style with a roulette wheel and other casino equipment, have been charged with 97 criminal counts for stealing at least $2.3 million from more than 1,500 desperate homeowners who were promised loan modifications but received no relief.

SACRAMENTO, CA - May 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing affordability in California increased overall in the first quarter of 2010, but 13 of the state’s 28 metropolitan areas included in the report saw decreases, the California Building Industry Association said today.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - May 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Trulia.com, smart real estate search to help you make better decisions, and RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released the latest results of an ongoing survey tracking home buyers’ attitudes towards foreclosures. The new online survey conducted on their behalf from May 10-12, 2010 by Harris Interactive® showed a notable decrease in consumers’ willingness to buy foreclosed properties compared to one year ago. Currently, 45 percent of U.S. adults age 18 and above are at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing a foreclosed home in the future, compared to the 55 percent of U.S. adults age 18 and above surveyed online by Harris Interactive® between May 1-5, 2009.

McLean, VA - May 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.84 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 20, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.93 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.82 percent. Once again, the 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending December 10, 2009, when it averaged 4.81 percent

Phoenix, AZ - May 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- RE/MAX New Heights Realty was recently named 2010 IMPACT Business of the Year in Arizona by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. This marks the first time in the 23-year history of the award that a Latino-run business has received the honor.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 14, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 1.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 3.1 percent compared with the previous week

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 10.06 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 59 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2009, and up 94 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased 106 basis points from 10.44 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 9.38 percent this quarter