Oil hovers above US$68 in Asia trade Wednesday(Update) Sep 2, 2009
That type of news this year has pushed energy prices higher because if heavy industries are ramping up production and people are buying homes, it is likely that spending on energy will rise as well. The bounce in energy prices Tuesday was short-lived and both equity and energy markets reversed course before noon. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Housing nonprofit director set to retire Sep 2, 2009
Since 1995, NHS completed more than 125 rehabilitation projects; built more than 300 new homes; approved 1,000 loans totaling more than $12 million for low-income families buying homes; and certified more than 2,000 families through its pre-purchase homebuyers education classes. Another 400 families successfully completed the NHS post-purchase classes on home ownership. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Rich investors snapping up low-price properties Aug 29, 2009
Eric Wright, a senior loan officer with in Scottsdale, said investors including those from California, Canada and overseas are creeping back into the market buying homes to rent or flip. This article is for Paid Subscribers ONLY.. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Economists Say Recovery May be Slow Aug 26, 2009
Rosenberg thinks that the uptick in sales this summer can be attributed at least in part to investors buying homes to rent. Their purchases are driving down rents, giving potential buyers less incentive to buy their own homes. (Realtor Magazine Online)
Cheaper homes in Gurgaon due to changed norms Aug 25, 2009
NEW DELHI: Homebuyers can now look forward to buying homes for as low as Rs 4 lakh to Rs 16 lakh in Gurgaon, thanks to a recent policy initiative by the Haryana government. The state governments new scheme caps the price of the homes built by developers in return for permission to builders to make more housing units of smaller sizes in the same area. (India Times, India)
Haryana changes norms to make room for cheaper homes Aug 25, 2009
NEW DELHI: Homebuyers can now look forward to buying homes for as low as Rs 4 lakh to Rs 16 lakh in Gurgaon, thanks to a recent policy initiative by the Haryana government ... Homebuyers can now look forward to buying homes for as low as Rs 4 lakh to Rs 16 lakh in Gurgaon. (India Times)
Existing homes selling fast - record fast Aug 22, 2009
"There's excess supply putting downward pressure on prices and people respond to the lower prices by buying homes.". Housing is its most affordable in many years, he pointed out. (FOX19.com, OH)
Economic crisis pounding Africa Aug 19, 2009
"You didn't have people buying homes with no money down," Gibian said. "You just didn't have that, for all kinds of reasons, good or bad, whether Africa was just too remote or too isolated and just hadn't developed in that way.". (The Star Online, Malaysia)
America's road toward Oceania Aug 16, 2009
The administration assures millions of citizens it will now intrude into everything from buying homes and cars to how they go to the doctor. If some Americans chose to purchase a roomy gas-guzzler rather than an uncomfortable but more efficient compact car, a kindly Big Brother will now "correct" that bad decision and buy the "clunker" back. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Presidential vacations carry baggage Aug 14, 2009
buying homes in both places after leaving office. Jimmy Carter was an avid user of the presidential retreat at Camp David, Md. (MSNBC -- Politics)
UC Davis' West Village project gets $2M energy grant Aug 11, 2009
More than 1,500 people have expressed an interest in buying homes at West Village. The baseline energy use for the first phase is expected to be about 16,500 megawatt hours. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Phoenix-area golf courses tout deals to offset heat, recession Aug 7, 2009
This likely is due to the fact that people who are still buying homes are those who are financially comfortable and therefore comfortable making the extra investment in a membership, said spokesman Jerry Rose. A golf membership of our kind is a luxury lifestyle purchase, and that kind of investment requires consumer confidence. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
* [ BUSINESS BRIEFS ] Aug 7, 2009
Nevertheless, some 67 percent of respondents said that they wanted to improve their childrens living standards by buying homes of their own, the survey found. HTC sales drop 5. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
'We Have to Stop It' Aug 1, 2009
GIULIANI: People buying homes they couldn't afford, people putting too much on their credit cards, businesses buying it for credit rather than cash. We were in a spend out-of-control mentality, and the Obama administration has made all those big spenders look like amateurs. (Fox News)
Click to read:25 Million Have Insurance, But Not Enough Jul 27, 2009
"Right to Life does not mean that you have a right have your life extended on everyone else's dime.Maybe this woman and her husband will think twice next time the want to join a union and extort their employer. If they hadn't been paying union dues to support union bosses' lavish lifestyle, they could have afforded supplemental insurance. by taebok July 26, 2009 9:37 PM EDT I'm not sure if you're heartless or just clueless, but it's one of the twobut i take by you answer, that yes, you expect... (CBS News)
When Will the Housing Market Rebound? Jul 25, 2009
"If people don't have jobs or fear losing their jobs, then buying homes is out of the question," he says. Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (07/23/2009). (Realtor Magazine Online)
Click to read: Obama Defends Vacationing in Down Economy Jul 23, 2009
My husband is a realtor, and no one except first time homebuyers are buying homes, so his business is suffering also. Our oldest son, college graduate, cannot find a decent job, he's working part time, 10-20 hrs. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Speak out: More government involvement on unemployment? Jul 16, 2009
we had a lot of ppl buying homes they couldn t afford. Why were these limits dropped by Fannie and Freddie. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
AG files lawsuit against Tucson real estate agents Jul 10, 2009
The suit claims the defendants deceived investors into buying homes that would become rent-to-own properties. They allegedly offered to cover the upfront costs in exchange for between 10 and 50 percent of the profit from the eventual resale of the home. (FOX 11, AZ)
Mortgage repayment quickens Jul 4, 2009
It was also affected by lenders requiring larger deposits when lending to people buying homes, thus producing a greater injection of equity into the property. "The hedonistic days of living the good life and borrowing against the value of your property are a distant memory," said Ashley Brown of mortgage broker Moneysprite. (BBC News -- Business)
Pulte optimistic about Dallas home sales Jul 2, 2009
Some first-time homebuyers are being lured into buying homes thanks to attractive incentives, low interest rates and competitive builders, leading to an upward trend in pending home sales, according to builders and a recent Realtor report. On Wednesday, the released a report saying pending home sales have been rising for four consecutive months. (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
Read the 'Cost of Freedom' recap Jun 30, 2009
Let the free market operate and let people do what they can do best by buying homes that they can afford under laws that FDIC sets down for the banks. Tracy Byrnes: If you said anything about Fanny and Freddy you would never accuse them of having too strict lending habits. (Fox News)
Whats it worth? Jun 28, 2009
He added that when he started appraising in 1977, some interest rates were 15 percent to 16 percent, but people were still buying homes. Rocks Appraisal owner Janice Rock, whos done appraisals in Campbell County since 1978, takes each appraisal on an individual basis. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Filling fast Jun 26, 2009
"In this market, people are very cautious about buying homes, especially if they're going to be transferred out in the next two years," she said. "They don't want to have a problem with trying to sell a house.". (The Augusta Chronicle)
* The real estate bubble born of an enduring misunderstanding Jun 23, 2009
Indeed, some people are already starting to salivate at the speculative possibilities of buying homes in currently depressed markets. But we do not really have a land shortage. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Pride of Carlisle campaign continues rebuilding homes Jun 23, 2009
CHOC is in the process of buying homes at 139 E. Penn St. and 137 Lincoln St. as a continuation of the Pride campaign, Neurohr said. So far, $5 million in public funds have been invested into the program for new construction, housing rehabilitation and to provide first-time homebuyers such incentives as downpayment and closing cost assistance, Gulotta said. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
How to Woo First-Time Buyers Jun 17, 2009
REALTOR Magazine Online: The real estate professional's business support tool. YOUR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE REALTOR.ORG/realtormag. (Realtor Magazine Online)
First IMA University focuses on economy Jun 3, 2009
7 percent for April, the third straight increase, which means people are showing more interest in buying homes because of favorable interest rates and first-time home buyer tax credits. If we can get the housing issue off the front page (of newspapers), then the economy is going to generate some forward momentum, Strohm says. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Business titans offer tips Jun 3, 2009
"The smart money is moving in and buying homes for pennies on the dollar," Zagaris said. There are properties inappropriately priced far below their actual value, such as $28,000 condominiums. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Forecast calls for end to housing bust this year May 30, 2009
Added to that is what he called a "general underlying demographic wave" he called the "echo boom," or children of the baby boom generation now beginning to look at buying homes. "That will be an extra push toward additional households, and that is the reason you build more houses because you have more households," Crowe said. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Local)
All-Time High: Jobless Claims Hit 6.8M May 29, 2009
That's raising anxiety about an economic recovery and making consumers think even harder about buying homes or refinancing their current mortgages. The tally of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for unemployment insurance fell last week to 623,000, the Labor Department said, from the previous week's revised figure of 636,000 and below analysts' expectations. (ABC News -- Business)
Repeat buyers, low prices boost sales of existing homes May 28, 2009
By Stephanie Armour, USA TODAY More repeat buyers appear to be buying homes, contributing to a slight uptick in existing-home sales this spring. First-time buyers' share of existing-home sales in April declined to 40% from over half in March, according to the National Association of Realtors. (USA Today -- Money)
UM eyeing 14-bedroom house for $640,000 May 26, 2009
Twenty-five years ago, the university began buying homes northwest of campus as they became available. It's been a slow process, and each home has come with a different price tag. (Missoulian, MT)
Market for luxury living remains tight in Valley May 26, 2009
Most consumers simply are not buying homes in the upper price ranges, even if they can afford it. According to the national study, the inventory of homes on the market valued at more than $417,000 has risen from an 18-month supply in 2007 to a 41-month supply based on current buyer activity. (AZCentral -- Business)
Post Office to pay less for relocation homes May 23, 2009
Investigation found Postal Service was buying homes for more than $1 million. USPS will set a limit of $800,000 for a home to relocate employee. (CNN -- US)
Guns Kill, But Povertys the Trigger May 19, 2009
Family money and resources will flow to support her and her kids (we can't expect the dead-beat dad's to help) instead of helping to support family members in the community who are doing the right thing by finishing school and buying homes. My older relatives still have the old-fashioned idea that young people will keep their legs closed. (Slate)
It's your call Ballpark may offer jobs to fill or yield empty promises May 19, 2009
The questioner pointed out that Bridwell had just said that workers would be buying homes with their income. "And they absolutely will, they absolutely will," Bridwell replied. (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
GREENSPAN IS NOT A GOOD CHEERLEADER FOR REALTORS May 14, 2009
Your job, Lucien, I understand, is to shovel crap to the press, which in turn, you are hoping will be disinfected and passed along to readers who are thinking of buying homes. PAGE 1 > lect. (New York Post -- Business)
Featured property: 924 Grove St., Alamo Square May 11, 2009
Jhoanne Loub, who did much of the Colgate Mansion's interior design, lives nearby and says she's seen an influx of families buying homes there. "It's an eclectic area, very central and walkable. I love it," she says. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Real Estate Lead Source Announces May Promotion May 9, 2009
Social networking, blogging, and PPC is used to drive motivated Real Estate Buyers interested in buying homes for a specific reason to these sites. Real Estate Lead Source's sites are listed on major Internet portals like Google, MSN, Yahoo, Facebook, You Tube, Twitter, as well as on their powerful network of affiliate sites across the Web. (PR Newswire)
Flipping Faiths May 9, 2009
He said he also was hooked by the church's response to discrimination in the early 1960s that was keeping black families from buying homes in white neighborhoods. The church offered education and encouraged people to get involved in efforts to end discrimination. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Federal funds aid foreclosure purchases May 6, 2009
Also, fewer foreclosures are going back to the lender, which could signal more short sales going through and investors buying homes at trustee auctions. About 89 percent of Valley foreclosures went back to the lender in April. (AZCentral -- Business)
Caribbean news briefs May 5, 2009
Siegfried Gilds laundered drug money from his cousin by buying homes and land between 2000 and 2005 while serving as justice minister in this former Dutch colony, Surinamese Judge Anand Charan said at a sentencing hearing in a Paramaribo court. The cousin, Andy Groenewoud, was sentenced in 2006 by a Dutch court to 30 months for drug convictions. (NJ.com -- News)
Few projects abandoned in Johor in last 10 years May 1, 2009
Demand for property in secondary towns such as Batu Pahat is good as people there are going for lifestyle living instead of just buying homes, said Habibullah. Asiatic Land is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asiatic Development Bhd and a member of the Genting Group. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
URBAN RENEWAL: New signs of life May 1, 2009
A private development company has been buying homes in the area around the school and clearing the land. Paul Barnes, the city's neighborhood services supervisor, said a new school would give urban renewal a boost. (Sioux City Journal)
Does Senior Housing Face Extinction? May 1, 2009
As boomers age, the number buying homes will begin to decline. At that point, it is likely that these buyers will be integrated into broader communities. (Realtor Magazine Online)
Wieland sells 101 houses in less than 2 months May 1, 2009
This was really to get people buying homes, anybody s homes, not just mine. At the start of his travels, Wieland said he hoped meeting the goal would take less than 40 days. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Huntington funding $10M in mortgages Apr 30, 2009
Huntington (NASDAQ:HBAN) has committed to funding $10 million in 30-year, fixed rate mortgages for anyone buying homes through the partnership and providing matching funding for new and existing programs. The partnership also will include an online Homeownership Center that will offer financial education. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Price and Money: Wag the Dog? Apr 28, 2009
In our example, as houses sell for less all homes are assumed to be declining in value, banks are less willing to lend, and markets eventually freeze up as money is no longer available for buying homes. Price declines and consequent contraction of money creates a feedback loop. (PR Newswire)
Daugherty: Houstons market today doesnt compare to 1986 Apr 20, 2009
They gambled on buying homes they could barely afford, hoping the housing market s continued appreciation would allow them to refinance at lower rates with the equity. However, instead of appreciation, the housing bubble burst, and you know the rest of the sad story. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Letter: Unbridled capitalism is seed that sprouted our economic crisis (April 16) Apr 16, 2009
Deceitful Realtors who talked ignorant people into buying homes that they couldn t afford so the former could collect healthy commissions and the bankers and appraisers who fraudulently jacked up house prices for the same reason. Company executives who got millions of dollars in compensation while their companies were failing like the 3 billion in bonuses given in secret to Lehman Brothers executives as well as more millions to executives of Merrill Lynch and AIG.. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Hackers grab more than 285M records in 2008 Apr 16, 2009
Verizon's study looked only at breaches involving attacks that resulted in compromised records being used in a crime, like making counterfeit credit cards and buying homes and medical coverage under someone else's identity and on their dime. The company found that 90 percent of the breaches it investigated could have been avoided with basic security measures. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Tide of illegal immigrants ebbs Apr 15, 2009
It shows people putting down roots in the United States, buying homes and bearing children who are U.S. citizens, while dealing with problems such as high poverty rates and limited education. Top 10 states for illegal immigrants, 2008. (News & Observer)
South Bibb Homeowners Gather for Rezoning Meeting Apr 15, 2009
Bibb County Commissioner Lonzy Edwards hosted the meeting to talk about buying homes at fair market value and rezoning the area. He says he's worried the government could close RAFB in the next round of base closures because the South Bibb County land near the base is currently zoned as residential. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Northern Vt., NH homes sales picking up Apr 12, 2009
Gerald Winn, owner-broker of Century 21 Winn Associates in Littleton, said he is seeing an increase in interest in buying homes, more because of lower interest rates than because of the credit. The melting snow also is a boost. (Concord Monitor)
Wall Street jumps on mortgage resurgence Apr 11, 2009
"People are buying homes.". The outlook was far better than most analysts expected and sent stocks soaring. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
East-side highway report finished, awaits review Apr 8, 2009
The One wrote on Apr 7, 2009 9:58 PM:" Maybe I have just been asleep the last two years, but would it not make more since to just use Towanda Barnes as the highway and connect them to the main highways? This seems like a complete waste of money. And if this passes GOOD LUCK to the people buying homes in the Groves Subdivision! ". Lighthouse wrote on Apr 7, 2009 9:30 PM:" Don't you mean "ready again"? How many surveys does this make? ". (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Firm's Workers Balked at City Office Apr 8, 2009
The mayor told 13WHAM News Tuesday, "When employees of that company who are paying mortgages, who are putting food on the table, sending their kids to college and buying homes and swimming pools with money being generated from city tax money, say, 'I will take that money but no we don't want to have our office there, we don't want to be there,' Well, I'll respect that decision, but I may in fact start looking for companies that do want to be here.". Stantec has about 150 local workers. (WOKR13 Rochester)
Word on the street: Furniture store gets a new look Apr 6, 2009
Siomiak is changing the focus of the store to show furniture more desirable for younger families, who are primarily the only ones buying homes in the tough economy. That's because property values are dropping and equity is disappearing. (Fresno Bee)
Housing law changes key capital gains rule Apr 6, 2009
Some real estate investors took advantage of this law by buying homes, renting them out for three years, and then living in them for two years before selling them and pocketing a tax-free capital gain of up to $250,000. Of course, this was when home values were increasing every month, contrary to the situation today. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Appraisers try to keep up with falling prices Apr 6, 2009
Appraisers like Squier and Fries are engaged in a seemingly impossible job estimating property values when prices are plunging and relatively few people are buying homes. Elissa Eubanks / eeubanks@ajc. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Tough Times: Public sector jobs help local economy Apr 1, 2009
Velez said agents contribute to the local economy by buying homes, paying taxes and spending money on entertainment and food. The local Customs office was unable to respond to questions by press time. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Housing market pros see roses, not thorns Mar 30, 2009
And yet, people in San Antonio were still buying homes ... But with federal policies in place to help homeowners, record-low interest rates, the city s still-affordable housing climate and relatively healthy job market, now is the time for people to be buying homes, Harper contends. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Overall Jobless Rolls Top 5.5 Million Mar 27, 2009
OK-lets continue this thought-I just spoke to a RE agent in Orlando, and they explained all the people from Europe are buying homes in US now because they have great credit and money down, The problem with many US citizens, is once you have a foreclosure, your credit is shot, so they cannot even think of buying a home for several years. Once you lose your job, you cannot buy a home. (CBS News)
Geithner's gambit a tough sell Mar 27, 2009
What are these people buying homes with. Did they get a loan or they all paying cash like the government did with AIG. (Townhall.com)
