Category Archives: Education
Military First-Time Homebuyers Get New Assistance Program
In an effort to help both veterans and active-duty military members participate in today’s housing market, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) Foundation is offering a new program to first-time, military homebuyers called the Dream Makers Program[1]. The program is designed to help eligible military members – including employees of the U.S. Department of Defense … Continue reading
U.S. Commerce Department Reports New-Home Sales are Stabilizing
Although new home sales actually fell last month, the U.S. Commerce Department says that the new-home market is stabilizing thanks to increases in prices and declining inventories[1]. Also showing signs of optimism are the country’s builders, who broke ground on more houses in June than in any time prior in 2011. New homes are attractive … Continue reading
Promotional Strategy: Live-In Home Managers
One Florida real estate company believes that the key to resolving the vacant home issue in the state is to simply fill those homes up – but not with actual residents. Instead, the company, which stages homes to help them sell for better prices and more quickly, is unveiling a new promotional program: the live-in … Continue reading
Attorneys General Moving Out on Their Own in Lending Settlement
Although the news has been full of information about the proposed settlements between lenders accused of foreclosure negligence and outright fraud and the 50 state attorneys general, in reality the settlement may be farther away than the banks might hope. As several AGs begin to voice objections to the proposed settlement and its terms, they … Continue reading
Home Prices Not At Bottom Yet
Although there are some small, promising signs that the housing market may be working toward a slow recovery, analysts warn that home prices are not at bottom yet[1]. Thanks to restricted financing – particularly when it comes to real estate investors – and an oversupply of homes for a dwindling population of first-time homebuyers, the … Continue reading
Lower Housing Prices Mean Buyers are Buying More House
Falling home prices are not just an opportunity to spend less on the house you were planning to buy. They are present the opportunity to spend the same amount of money you originally planned and get more bedrooms for your buck. That is what is happening in Baltimore, with 40 percent of area buyers closing … Continue reading
Lead Paint Regulations Stalled in House of Representatives
Controversial lead-paint regulations have been stalled in the House of Representatives, for the time being, at least. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently announced that until the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) meets obligations to provide information and equipment that would enable businesses to comply with the proposed Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rules, … Continue reading
Lower Home Prices Associated with Lower Divorce Rates
You’ve heard of staying together “for the kids,” but how about staying together “for the house?”According to a new study by the American Economic Review (AER), when housing prices fall, so do divorce rates[1]. In 2009, the divorce rate fell four percent, from 50 percent to 46 percent, over 1996. AER believes that couples are … Continue reading