“30 Under 30” Realtors® Embark on New Era of Real Estate

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2013) – As the real estate market continues to show signs of improvement and consumers grow more optimistic, a young class of Realtors® is ready to embark on a new era of real estate. This year’s Realtor® Magazine “30 Under 30” honorees have not been deterred by a challenging and competitive market. […]

Short Sale Approval and Valuation Issues Continue to Impact Housing Market

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2013) – Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have implemented policies to expedite the short sales process, including new resources to help determine property values, according to panelists at a property valuation forum during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here. Short sales continue to represent a significant portion of […]

Rate Increases Ahead for Some National Flood Insurance Program Policyholders

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – Changes are coming to the critically important National Flood Insurance Program that could impact real estate transactions and property owners across the country. That’s according to experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which manages the government’s flood insurance program, who spoke to Realtors® at today’s Flood Insurance 101 session during […]

Forecast for Housing and the Economy Solidifying, Future Tax Treatment Important

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – Growth in home sales and prices is contributing to a broader improvement in the overall economy, aided in part by current homeownership tax treatment, according to presentations at a residential real estate forum during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said a multiyear […]

Realtor® Confidence in Commercial Market Growing

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – Realtors® who specialize in commercial real estate expressed optimism and confidence in the market during a forum at the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Despite a slow turning economy, commercial practitioners believe the market is not only better off than it was a year ago, but also will […]

Realtors® Can Increase Their Value by Better Leveraging Technology, Says realtor.com®

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – Technology plays a vital role in today’s society and is transforming the way Realtors® do business. That’s according to Curt Beardsley, vice president of product marketing for realtor.com®, who shared his perspective on the growing mobile technology environment at the “Industry, Technology and Vision” forum during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative […]

Opportunities Abound in Housing Market but Challenges Remain

WASHINGTON (May 17, 2013) – The shape of homeownership and housing markets has changed dramatically over time and will continue to change in the face of new housing opportunities and challenges. That’s according to panelists at the “Challenges and Opportunities in Housing and Homeownership” session today during the Realtors® 2013 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade […]

April Existing-Home Sales Up but Constrained

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2013) – Existing-home sales rose in April but remain below underlying demand because of limited inventory and tight credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  All regions are showing strong price gains from a year ago. Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-… Read More

Realtors® Report Positive Trends in Commercial Market with Increases in Income, Transactions

WASHINGTON (May 23, 2013) – Realtors® who practice commercial real estate have reported an increase in annual gross income for the third year in a row, signaling the market is on the road to recovery. According to the National Association of Realtors®2013 Commercial Member Profile, transactions and sales volume have also increased since last year. […]

Pending Home Sales Edge Up in April

  WASHINGTON (May 30, 2013) – Pending home sales improved slightly in April and continue to be well above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  Gains in the Northeast and Midwest were offset largely by declines in the West and South. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on […]