Contracts to Buy U.S. Homes Hit 2-Year High in July
Americans signed the most contracts to buy homes in July than at any other point in the last two years, further evidence of a housing recovery.
real estate market
US Home Prices Post First 12-Month Gain Since '10
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index showed increases in all of the 20 cities tracked for a second consecutive month, an encouraging sign that the housing market is improving.
Treasury Tightens Up Terms of Fannie and Freddie Bailout Deal
The government is changing the terms of its bailout agreement with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a way that will shrink the holdings of the two mortgage giants more quickly and will require payment to the government of all quarterly profits the companies earn.
Fannie Mae Posts $2.2 Billion Net Gain for Second Quarter
Fannie Mae earned $2.2 billion from April through June, its second quarterly gain in net income since it was taken over by the government during the 2008 financial crisis.
Home Prices Rose in All Major U.S. Cities in May
Home prices rose in May from April in every city tracked by the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index, a sign that increasing sales and tight inventories are supporting a modest housing recovery.
Where Walmart Builds, Higher Home Prices Follow
Many people react to the news that Walmart is coming to their neighborhood with dismay. The "Bully of Bentonville" lays waste to local businesses, increases traffic, and can lead to higher crime rates. But here's a twist: Where Walmart builds, property values go up.
Home Prices Rise in Nearly All Major U.S. Cities
Home prices rose in nearly all major U.S. cities in April, further evidence that the housing market is slowly improving. According to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index, the only top 20 metro area to see prices fall was Detroit.
New Home Sales Surge Ahead in May at Fastest Pace in 2 Years
Americans bought new homes in May at the fastest pace in more than two years. The 7.6% increase suggests a modest recovery in the housing market is continuing, despite weaker job growth.
Foreclosures Were 26% of Home Sales in Q1 as Short Sales Rose
Homes in some stage of the foreclosure process saw their share of U.S. home sales grow in the first quarter even as sales of bank-owned homes fell. The increase was driven by a spike in short sales, or homes that sell for less than what the owner owed on their mortgage.
6 Simple Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy a Home
Houses are cheap. Interest rates are low. And the economy is improving. Even Warren Buffett says that housing might be the best investment today. So should you run out and buy a home? Not necessarily.
Home Prices Rise in Most Major U.S. Cities for First Time in 7 Months
Home prices rose in March from February in most major U.S. cities for the first time in seven months. The increase is the latest evidence of a slow recovery taking shape in the troubled housing market.
Economists More Upbeat About Job Growth, Housing
A new survey shows economists are growing slightly more optimistic about recovery in the job and housing markets but expect other pillars of the economy to remain weak.
U.S. Home Prices Drop for Sixth Straight Month in February
Home prices dropped in February in most major U.S. cities for a sixth straight month, a sign that modest sales gains haven't been enough to boost prices, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Index.
Home Prices Fell in January in Most US Cities
Home prices fell in January for a fifth straight month in most major U.S. cities, as modest sales increases have yet to boost prices. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index released Tuesday showed that prices dropped in January from December in 16 of 19 cities tracked.
New Home Sales Dip for Second Straight Month, But Prices Surge
Sales of U.S. new homes fell in February for the second straight month, a reminder that the depressed housing market remains weak despite some improvement. But the Commerce Department also reported some positive signs.