Realtors® Call for Broad Qualified Mortgage Definition to Help Consumers and Housing Market
WASHINGTON (April 16, 2012) – A narrow definition of the impending Ability to Repay regulation could harm consumers and the housing market recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®. In a letter sent today to Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, NAR joined a broad coalition of lenders, investors, housing professionals, […]
Homeownership Makes Tax Time Less Taxing
WASHINGTON (April 10, 2012) –With the April 17 tax deadline one week away, many individuals and families still have time to take advantage of the valuable tax benefits homeownership affords. The National Association of Realtors® consumer website, HouseLogic.com, can help. “Our government encourages homeownership because it benefits families, communities, and our nation’s economy; homeownership is […]
Existing-Home Sales Decline in March but Inventory Down, Prices Stabilizing
WASHINGTON (April 19, 2012) – Existing-home sales were down in March but continue to outpace year-ago levels, while inventory tightened and home prices are showing further signs of stabilizing, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 2.6 percent to […]
Realtors® Praise FHFA for Issuing Short Sale Approval Guidance
WASHINGTON (April 18, 2012) – The National Association of Realtors® applauds the Federal Housing Finance Agency for issuing new guidance requiring servicers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans to speed responses to short sale requests. The guidelines would require servicers to acknowledge receipt of short sale purchase offers within three business days; respond to […]
March Pending Home Sales Rise, Market Recovering
WASHINGTON (April 26, 2012) – Pending home sales increased in March and are well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 4.1 percent to 101.4 in March from an upwardly revised […]
HouseLogic Announces "Spring Cleaning Pinaway" Pinterest Giveaway
WASHINGTON (April 23, 2012) – Spring is the season of fresh starts, and for many homeowners that means it’s time to clear the clutter and clean up, inside and out of the home. To help people get into the spring cleaning spirit, HouseLogic is launching a “Spring Cleaning Pinaway” sweepstakes and giveaway on Pinterest, giving […]
NAR, U.S. Treasury, Bring Short Sale Assistance to Illinois Homeowners
WASHINGTON (April 23, 2012) – The National Association of Realtors® is joining forces once again with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to offer aid to homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure and to help Realtors® better assist clients through the short sale process. At a Making Home Affordable “Help […]
Realtor® Associations Advance Housing Opportunities Through Grants
WASHINGTON (May 1, 2012) – The National Association of Realtors® has awarded grants totaling more than $60,000 to 19 state and local Realtor® associations through the Housing Opportunity Program. The HOP grants program is a national effort designed to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in communities across the nation. “Realtors® are leaders in creating housing […]
Realtors® Recognize Innovative Ideas from School of the Future Design Competition Winners
WASHINGTON (April 27, 2012) – Six teams of middle school students participating in the annual School of the Future Design Competition were in Washington, D.C., this week displaying their plans to design environmentally responsive schools that enhance learning and engage the surrounding community. The competition encourages students from all over the world to work in […]
First Quarter Metro Area Home Prices Stabilizing, Sales Up and Inventory Down
WASHINGTON (May 9, 2012) – Median existing single-family home prices are firming in many metropolitan areas, while improving sales and declining inventory are creating more balanced conditions, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®. The median existing single-family home price rose in 74 out of 146 metropolitan statistical areas1 (MSAs) […]
