Pending Home Sales Increase in March for Third Consecutive Month
WASHINGTON (April 29, 2015) — Pending home sales in March continued their recent momentum, rising for the third straight month and remaining at their highest level since June 2013, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, climbed 1.1 percent to 108.6 in March […]
Realtor® Volunteering Works Program Announces 2015 Grants and Mentoring Recipients
WASHINGTON (May 7, 2015) — REALTOR® Magazine and the Good Neighbor Society have announced the recipients of the seventh annual Volunteering Works, a program that matches Realtors® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with grant money and mentors to help expand the reach of their charities. The five Volunteering Works recipients will receive a $1,000 […]
NAR Study: Majority of Metro Areas Experiencing Widening Inequality
WASHINGTON (May 7, 2015) – Rising home prices in many metro areas have helped homeowners build housing wealth in recent years, but the continued decline in homeownership means the gains are going to fewer people and likely leading to worsening inequality in the U.S., according to new research from the National Association of Realtors®. NAR […]
Realtors® Head to Washington to Urge Action on Industry, Consumer Issues
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2015) – Realtor® leaders from across the country will converge on the nation’s capital this week to advance key real estate issues with regulators and members of Congress during the Realtor® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, here through May 16. Nearly 8,500 Realtors® and guests will meet with legislators, regulatory officials and […]
Metro Home Prices Maintain Steady Growth in First Quarter of 2015
WASHINGTON (May 11, 2015)—Stronger demand amidst lagging inventory levels caused home prices to accelerate in many metro areas during the first quarter of 2015, and the number of areas experiencing double-digit price appreciation doubled compared to last quarter, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®. The median existing single-family home […]
Communication Is Key as Realtors®, Lenders Adjust to New Disclosure Requirements
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2015) – Realtors® should prepare themselves now for the new disclosure requirements being implemented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau later this year, and communication between all parties in the real estate transaction is essential in ensuring a smooth transition, according to speakers at a regulatory issues forum here at the 2015 […]
Realtors® and Rural Housing Officials Work Together to Change Lives
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2015) – The partnership between Realtors® and the Rural Housing Service supports homeownership in rural areas and helps those communities thrive, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency that administers the RHS program, who held a briefing today during the Realtors® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. “USDA Rural […]
NAR Unveils New Realtor® Safety Resources
WASHINGTON (May 13, 2015) — To aid members and Realtor® associations in developing safety protocols, the National Association of Realtors® has expanded its Realtor® Safety Program resources with new classes and materials. “NAR works constantly to promote the core components of Realtor® safety: knowledge, awareness and empowerment,” said NAR President Chris Polychron, executive broker with […]
Realtors® help Families Own Piece of American Dream, Says Secretary Castro
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2015) – The path to opportunity has always been, and will continue to be, paved by homeownership and the benefits it affords to families and communities, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro told a packed ballroom of Realtors® and guests this afternoon while participating in a fireside style chat with NAR […]
Existing-Home Sales on the Rebound Despite Some Affordability Concerns
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2015) – Existing-home sales are expected to finish the year at their highest pace since 2006, but accelerating price growth and rising mortgage rates have the potential to slow sales, according to an economic forecast forum here at the 2015 Realtors® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the […]
