Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals Improving, Lending Tight for Small Business

  WASHINGTON (May 28, 2013) – With vacancy rates modestly falling and rents moderately rising in commercial real estate sectors, market fundamentals have improved, but financing remains a challenge for small business, according to the National Association of Realtors® quarterly commercial real estate forecast.  Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market is showing an […]

Realtors® Call for Legislative Changes to New Rules Limiting Affordable Borrowing Options

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2013) – Congress should consider redefining the new ability-to-repay requirements for Qualified Mortgages to avoid limiting affordable borrowing options for creditworthy buyers, said the National Association of Realtors® today in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee. NAR President Gary Thomas implored Congress to revisit the definition of fees and points applied […]

Existing-Home Sales Rise in May with Strong Price Increases

WASHINGTON (June 20, 2013) – Existing-home sales improved in May and remain solidly above a year ago, while the median price continued to rise by double-digit rates from a year earlier, 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, rose 4.2 […]

Real Estate Industry Urges EPA to Postpone Commercial Building Lead Hazard Rulemaking

WASHINGTON (June 26, 2013) – The Environmental Protection Agency must justify its efforts to apply new lead paint regulations to public and commercial properties, Realtor® Harold Huggins testified at a public hearing today on behalf of the National Association of Realtors® and its affiliates, the Institute for Real Estate Management and the CCIM Institute. The […]

Foreign Home Buyers Continue to Identify U.S. as Profitable Investment, Realtors® Report

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2013) – International home sales in the U.S. declined in the past year, but are at their second highest level in recent years and are over six percent of total existing-home sales in value. According to the National Association of Realtors® 2013 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, interest in U.S. properties […]

NAR Survey of Generational Trends Shows Younger Buyers More Optimistic

WASHINGTON (July 9, 2013) – Millennials are more confident than any other age group that their recent home purchase was a good financial investment, according to a new study released today. The inaugural 2013 National Association of Realtors® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends evaluated the generational differences of recent home buyers and sellers and […]

May Pending Home Sales Reach Highest Level in Over Six Years

WASHINGTON (June 27, 2013) – Pending home sales rose in May to the highest level since late 2006, implying a possible spark as mortgage interest rates began to rise, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 6.7 percent to 112.3 in May […]

Realtors® Reaffirm Commitment to realtor.com®

CHICAGO (July 24, 2013) – The National Association of Realtors® Board of Directors today reaffirmed NAR’s commitment to making realtor.com® the first, best online destination for home buyers and sellers. The board voted in favor of recommendations to modify an existing operating agreement that will help the site compete more effectively in an evolving online […]

June Existing-Home Sales Slip but Prices Continue to Roll at Double-Digit Rates

WASHINGTON (July 22, 2013) – Existing-home sales declined in June but have stayed well above year-ago levels for the past two years, while the median price shows seven straight months of double-digit year-over-year increases, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that… Read More

Pending Home Sales Slip in June

WASHINGTON (July 29, 2013) – After reaching the highest level in over six years, pending home sales declined in June, with rising mortgage interest rates beginning to impact the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, edged down 0.4 percent to 110.9 […]