Realtors® Rise to New Heights to Tackle Real Estate Issues

SAN FRANCISCO (November 7, 2013) – Home prices are rising and foreclosures and short sales are falling, all signs that housing markets are on their way to recovery. However, uncertainties and market challenges remain for the nation’s residential and commercial real estate markets, and Realtors® are committed to addressing those challenges as they gather Nov. […]

Realtors® Celebrate 100 Years of Professionalism in Real Estate

SAN FRANCISCO (November 7, 2013) – This year the National Association of Realtors® celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Realtors® Code of Ethics. The code spells out the professional responsibilities and expectations of NAR’s 1 million Realtor® members to their clients, customers, fellow Realtors® and the general public. “As the leading advocate for homeowners and […]

The Time is Now for Lawmakers, Real Estate Industry to Secure Future of Homeownership

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2013) – The nation’s housing markets gained traction in 2013, but lingering uncertainties will prevent a full housing market recovery, according to 2014 National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown in a news conference today during the  2013 Realtors® Conference and Expo. … Read More

Federal Housing Administration Leaders Optimistic for Future

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2013) – The Federal Housing Administration is at a critical crossroads, but with the best performing books of business in its 80-year history, FHA is prepared for the future. That’s according to current and former FHA commissioners, who spoke to thousands of Realtors® today at the 2013 Realtors® Conference and Expo. […]

Home Sales to Hold Steady in 2014, but Prices will Continue to Rise

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2013) – Existing-home sales are expected to retain the healthy gains seen this year, while prices will stay on an uptrend in 2014, according to a forecast presentation at a residential forum during the 2013 Realtors® Conference & Expo. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors®, said existing-home […]

Overly Restrictive FHA Rules Making it Harder for Consumers to Buy, Sell Condos

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2013) – While the Federal Housing Administration has loosened its condominium approval requirements in recent years, many properties continue to struggle to meet overly stringent criteria and the majority of properties are being denied. That’s according to a panel of industry experts gathered today at the “How Do FHA Condominium Rules […]

Commercial Market Recovery Remains Uneven

SAN FRANCISCO (November 8, 2013) – After several years of slow-moving growth the commercial real estate market is in a recovery mode as transaction volume increased 27 percent over a year ago and prices display solid gains, said National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun during a commercial real estate forum at the 2013 […]

Flood Insurance Rate Uncertainty Has Far-reaching Effects on Real Estate Market

SAN FRANCISCO (November 9, 2013) – Uncertainty surrounding drastic increases in flood insurance premiums for coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program is negatively impacting transactions and the nation’s real estate recovery. Experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which manages the government’s flood insurance program, spoke to Realtors® today about the implications of recent […]

NAR Data Show Realtor® Education Level Closely Tied to Income

SAN FRANCISCO (November 9, 2013) – There is a significant relationship between Realtors®’ educational attainment and their income level, according to panelists at today’s “Learn. Live. Lead. Lifelong Learning and Real Estate Success” forum during the 2013 REALTORS® Conference and Expo. During the session, academics discussed the role that lifelong learning plays in the success […]

Political Experts Offer Divergent Views on Fannie, Freddie Reform

SAN FRANCISCO (November 9, 2013) – The contentious debate over the future of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration single-family mortgage insurance program may grow to a fever pitch in the coming months, but no meaningful Congressional action is in sight according to two of the nation’s leading housing finance policy experts. […]