April Existing-Home Sales Show Modest Improvement Behind Gaining Inventory

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2014) – Existing-home sales increased for the first time this year in April, while inventory meaningfully increased and home price growth moderated, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Monthly sales gains in the West and South offset a modest decline in the Midwest while the Northeast was unchanged. Total existing-home sales1, […]

Pending Home Sales Edge Up in April

WASHINGTON (May 29, 2014) – Pending home sales improved for the second straight month in April, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Gains in the Midwest and Northeast offset declines in the West and South. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 0.4 percent to 97.8 in April […]

Realtors® Back HUD and OMB Nominees Julián Castro and Shaun Donovan

WASHINGTON (May 27, 2014) – The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown: “The National Association of Realtors® applauds the administration for nominating San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro to serve as the next secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which includes the Federal Housing Administration, and for […]

REALTORS® Applaud House Passage of Mortgage Choice Act

WASHINGTON (June 10, 2014) – The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown: “The Mortgage Choice Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night importantly redefines a provision in the Ability-to-Repay rules that limits mortgage fees and points to three percent in order for home loans to be […]

New Home Construction Needed to Match Job Creation, Improve Affordability in Majority of U.S.

WASHINGTON (June 10, 2014) – New home construction activity is currently insufficient in most of the U.S., and some states could face persistent housing shortages and affordability issues unless housing starts increase to match up with local job creation, according to new analysis by the National Association of Realtors®. The labor market, which is a […]

Existing-Home Sales Heat Up in May, Inventory Levels Continue to Improve

WASHINGTON (June 23, 2014) – Existing-home sales rose strongly in May and inventory gains continued to help moderate price growth, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four regions of the country experienced sales gains compared to a month earlier. Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and… […]

"Coming Soon" Properties Can Create Consumer Confusion

WASHINGTON (June 16, 2014) – The National Association of Realtors® today published information for NAR members regarding advertising properties as “coming soon.” Some “coming soon” advertisements involve unlisted properties which may or will be listed with a broker in the near future, while others relate to properties that are subject to listing agreements where property […]

Pending Home Sales Surge in May

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2014) — Pending home sales rose sharply in May, with lower mortgage rates and increased inventory accelerating the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four regions of the country saw increases in pending sales, with the Northeast and West experiencing the largest gains. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a […]

NAR Survey Shows Realtors® Continue to Invest in Mobile Technologies

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2014) – Over the years, Realtors® have spent countless time and millions of dollars advancing real estate technologies and keeping up with the latest high-tech tools. The 2013-2014 Realtor® Technology Survey, conducted by NAR’s Center for REALTOR® Technology, found that Realtors® continued to invest in new technology for their businesses in 2013 […]

FHA HAWK Program a Good Start but Needs to Go Further, Say Realtors®

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2014) – In a letter sent today to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Association of Realtors® offered support for the Federal Housing Administration’s efforts to reduce mortgage insurance premiums for first-time buyers through its Homeowners Armed with Knowledge, or HAWK, housing counseling pilot program but is concerned the […]