Housing Starts Pick Up in May, But Less Than Forecast
Housing starts rose less than expected in May, likely reflecting labor and material constraints, but the overall trend remained consistent with strength in the housing market.
housing
Pending Home Sales Hit 3-Year High; Supply Dwindles
Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes rose to their highest level in three years in April, but a shortage of properties for sale could slow down the momentum.
U.S. Housing Starts Plummet in April, But Permits Surge
Ground-breaking for new U.S. homes plummeted more than expected in April from an almost five-year high.
U.S. Home Prices Surge 10.5% in March
A survey shows U.S. home prices rose 10.5 percent in March compared with a year ago, the biggest gain since March 2006.
Why You May Be Feeling Left Behind in the Economic Recovery
Many of the U.S. economy's vital signs have recovered from the damage done by the Great Recession, but some measures have a way yet to go.
A Radical New Proposal for the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction
The Common Sense Housing Investment Act would help millions more Americans claim the mortgage-interest tax deduction -- and still boost the government's tax revenues.
Leading Economic Indicators Index Up 0.2% in January
A measure of the U.S. economy's future direction edged up in January from December, suggesting slow growth will continue in the coming months. The Conference Board says its index of leading indicators rose 0.2 percent in January to 94.1, the second straight increase.
Wall Street's Week Ahead: Earnings, Housing and the China Question
This week will bring answers to questions that have hung over the market for months: Will slower growth in China put a dent in U.S. companies' income? Will new housing numbers come in strong enough to keep homebuilders flying high? How much did Superstorm Sandy cost insurers? Here's what to watch.
What Obama's Second Term Will Mean for Your Personal Economy
Barack Obama has been re-elected as the president of the United States. A nail-bitingly close election, with the economy consistently being named as the top issue, has been decided. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the days to come.
5 Years From Retirement? 5 Things to Do Right Now
With just five years left before you retire, you need to begin solidifying your plans. Make sure you're still on track, but also nail down where you'll live and how you'll meet your health care needs. Here's how:
Fed: Housing Lifts Growth in Most U.S. Regions
Stronger housing markets helped boost economic growth at the end of the summer in nearly every region of the United States, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday.
Home Prices Rose in 20 Major U.S. Cities in July
Home prices kept rising in July across the United States, buoyed by greater sales and fewer foreclosures. National home prices increased 1.2 percent in July, compared to the same month last year.
5 Reasons Why the Housing Market Recovery Won't Last
Home prices have finally started to inch higher. Builders are growing revenues again. But hold your applause: It may be too early to start calling this an actual housing recovery.
Our Uneven Economic Recovery: The 10 Best and 10 Worst Cities
For the past few months, reports have repeatedly affirmed that the economy is slowly improving. However, as one recent study highlights, some areas are recovering much faster than others.
3 New Ways to Get Real Help On Your Underwater Mortgage
Good news: The housing market is looking up. Bad news: Nearly 11 million mortgages are still underwater. More good news: Real help for those homeowners is finally available. More bad news: Getting that help can be baffling. Extra good news: Jean Chatzky's here to help.
The (Extended) Family Home: Why Millions Are Moving In
Multigenerational households in this country are growing fast. At the end of 2009, 51.4 million Americans lived in a home with three or more generations under one roof, up nearly 5 million from 2007. So what's driving this trend, and how can you move in relatives without drowning in drama?
Financial Distress Is Rising Again, Report Shows
Americans' economic health appears to be edging closer to code red: The Consumer Distress Index fell sharply in the third quarter, indicating that more of us are falling behind financially.
Home Ownership: American Dream or Nightmare?
Here's more evidence that the foreclosure crisis has changed the way we think about home ownership's place in the American dream. Nearly half of those polled in a newly released survey said that owning a home today was a "nightmare." But not all polls reflect such a pessimistic view.
Prepare for Higher Heating Bills this Winter
This winter's weather is forecast to be milder than last year's, but many Americans will get a cold chill when they open their heating bills. Average household spending for the season will rise for natural gas and propane, and those who use heating oil will see their highest winter bills ever.
Refinancing Tips: How to Snag Today's Low Rates
With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage down to 4.09%, -- another record low -- it's a great time to refinance. But before you go running off to your lender to catch the best rates since 1951, avoid making these major mistakes that can cost you dearly.
Homeowners Shelve Remodeling Plans Over Economic Fears
Too scared to spend amid today's economic uncertainty, homeowners are just saying no to remodeling. The number of homeowners who say the economy has them shying away from renovations jumped from 69% in the spring to 80% now, and remodeling contractors report their business is down 3.81% over the last 12 months.
Are You Photoshopping Your Finances?
It's one thing to use Photoshop to make your waistline look slimmer in your snapshots. Many people also take a distorted view of their finances, fooling themselves about the health of their balance sheets. Here are some common self-deceptions.
Homeowners Move Away From 30-Year Mortgages
With the historically low interest rates, many homeowners with 30-year mortgages have been leaving their loans for younger models. According to a new report from Freddie Mac, more homeowners are refinancing into 15- and 20-year mortgages than ever before.
Top 5 U.S. Housing Markets in 2012
With the Standard & Poor's downgrades, the declining stock market, the flat employment figures and Europe's fiscal woes, you might not expect much optimism in the housing market just now. But a few major metropolitan areas should see price increases in the next year, according to a new report.
Unemployed and Seeking Shelter from the Storm
The housing crisis continues unabated, and millions of unemployed Americans remain at risk of ending up homeless. But additional government help is arriving from the Obama administration, and nonprofit agencies are making a difference in the efforts of some families to get help from their lenders.
Housing Numbers Show Promise -- But Is It Real?
In a surprising twist, some of the best housing numbers in eight months surfaced Tuesday. But is it all good? We checked in with AOL Real Estate Editor in Chief Laura Goldstein for some insight about what the latest data really means.
Is It the 'Best Time' Ever to Buy a Home?
If you're on the fence about whether or not it's the right time to buy a piece of real estate, one expert says there is no doubt about it. According to best-selling author Adam Leitman Bailey, "this is the best time in modern real estate history to be buying a home."
What Would the Rapture Do to Real Estate Prices?
Christian broadcaster Harold Camping miscalculated in his prediction that the world was going to end on Saturday. But he's not the only one who thinks the Rapture could be nigh in the not-so-distant future. Which begs the question: Where will those who are left behind hang their hats?
Is Home Ownership Overrated?
For generations of Americans, home ownership has been extolled as a sound investment and source of moral virtue, stability and community. Renting was seen as anathema, a distinct second choice. But in the wake of the real estate collapse, those long-held assumptions have been called into question.