Copyright (c) 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10 http://www.upi.com/ - UPI.com en-us Wed, 16 May 2012 15:44:03 -0400 http://www.upi.com/ http://www.upi.com/img/logo_rss.png http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/16/Homeowners-Insurance-Soars-19-Percent/8271337169543/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/16/Homeowners-Insurance-Soars-19-Percent/8271337169543/ This year homeowners are paying, on average, $128 more per year for new homeowners insurance policies than they were at the beginning of the year. In some states, rates are up as much as 39 percent. This year homeowners are paying, on average, $128 more per year for new homeowners insurance policies than they were at the beginning of the year. In some states, rates are up as much as 39 percent. Homeowners Insurance Soars 19 Percent Wed, 16 May 2012 07:58:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/02/20/Which-Remodeling-Projects-Pay-Off/2621329754259/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/02/20/Which-Remodeling-Projects-Pay-Off/2621329754259/ For the first time in three years, not one project makes a profit in the latest annual national survey of remodeling and repair project costs versus resale values. The average return on remodeling expenditures is lower than last year. For the first time in three years, not one project makes a profit in the latest annual national survey of remodeling and repair project costs versus resale values. The average return on remodeling expenditures is lower than last year. Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off? Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:08:00 -0500 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/02/13/2012-Remodeling-Projects-that-will-Pay-Off/8241329141136/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/02/13/2012-Remodeling-Projects-that-will-Pay-Off/8241329141136/ Homeowners are ready to make 2012 a banner year for remodeling and the latest cost-for-value research suggests that getting the most bang for every buck is more important than ever. Homeowners are ready to make 2012 a banner year for remodeling and the latest cost-for-value research suggests that getting the most bang for every buck is more important than ever. 2012 Remodeling Projects that will Pay Off Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:49:00 -0500 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/01/06/Outlook-2012-Why-REMAX-CEO-Margaret-Kelly-Believes-This-is-the-Year-to-Buy/9591325883695/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/01/06/Outlook-2012-Why-REMAX-CEO-Margaret-Kelly-Believes-This-is-the-Year-to-Buy/9591325883695/ This year real estate markets across the country present a combination of unique buying opportunities that simply haven't been seen before, says Margaret Kelly CEO of RE/MAX, the leading global real estate franchisor with more than 80,000 sales associates in 80 countries. This year real estate markets across the country present a combination of unique buying opportunities that simply haven't been seen before, says Margaret Kelly CEO of RE/MAX, the leading global real estate franchisor with more than 80,000 sales associates in 80 countries. Outlook 2012: Why RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly Believes This is the Year to Buy Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/15/Inventories-Improve-Outlook-for-Hard-hit-Markets/6981337090320/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/15/Inventories-Improve-Outlook-for-Hard-hit-Markets/6981337090320/ Pro Teck Valuation Services' May HomeValueForecast.com Update has some good news for many metro areas hardest hit by price declines may be recovering due to increasing home sales and reduced inventories of homes, including Midwestern Rust Belt markets like Detroit, Peoria, and Troy, MI. Pro Teck Valuation Services' May HomeValueForecast.com Update has some good news for many metro areas hardest hit by price declines may be recovering due to increasing home sales and reduced inventories of homes, including Midwestern Rust Belt markets like Detroit, Peoria, and Troy, MI. Inventories Improve Outlook for Hard-hit Markets Tue, 15 May 2012 09:57:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/15/Is-There-Really-a-Housing-Shortage/6611337089185/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/15/Is-There-Really-a-Housing-Shortage/6611337089185/ It may be hard to believe, but the dramatic drawdown in inventories during this spring buying season is bringing some cries of "housing shortage" from hotter markets around the county. But is there solid evidence to support such a claim? It may be hard to believe, but the dramatic drawdown in inventories during this spring buying season is bringing some cries of "housing shortage" from hotter markets around the county. But is there solid evidence to support such a claim? Is There Really a Housing Shortage? Tue, 15 May 2012 09:38:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/11/Short-Sale-and-Foreclosure-Discounts-Converge/6601336741413/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/11/Short-Sale-and-Foreclosure-Discounts-Converge/6601336741413/ Short sales, once a rare event in local real estate market, today are nearly as prevalent as foreclosures as lenders seek to avoid adding to their foreclosure inventories and troubled homeowners opt for a faster way out of default. Short sales, once a rare event in local real estate market, today are nearly as prevalent as foreclosures as lenders seek to avoid adding to their foreclosure inventories and troubled homeowners opt for a faster way out of default. Short Sale and Foreclosure Discounts Converge Fri, 11 May 2012 09:02:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/10/How-Far-Will-Hone-Prices-Fall/4541336657912/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/10/How-Far-Will-Hone-Prices-Fall/4541336657912/ When the bottom arrives in the mythical national housing market some time later this year, how far will we be from the heady peaks of the real estate boom when prices were at their zenith? When the bottom arrives in the mythical national housing market some time later this year, how far will we be from the heady peaks of the real estate boom when prices were at their zenith? How Far Will Hone Prices Fall? Thu, 10 May 2012 09:50:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/10/Distressed-Housing-Inventory-Will-Take-46-Months-to-Clear/8601336657017/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/10/Distressed-Housing-Inventory-Will-Take-46-Months-to-Clear/8601336657017/ Standard and Poor's Rating Services' estimates that the time it will take to clear the supply of distressed homes, or the shadow inventory, on the U.S. market is now 46 months. For the city with the greatest estimate of the time it will take to clear its inventory of foreclosures and short sales, New York City, it will take 202 months, or nearly 17 years. Standard and Poor's Rating Services' estimates that the time it will take to clear the supply of distressed homes, or the shadow inventory, on the U.S. market is now 46 months. For the city with the greatest estimate of the time it will take to clear its inventory of foreclosures and short sales, New York City, it will take 202 months, or nearly 17 years. Distressed Housing Inventory Will Take 46 Months to Clear Thu, 10 May 2012 09:36:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/07/Are-Sellers-Waking-Up/9901336421211/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/07/Are-Sellers-Waking-Up/9901336421211/ It's no secret that this is a good time to buy, but more and more sellers are beginning to think that it's also getting to be a good time to buy… at least better than it was six months ago. It's no secret that this is a good time to buy, but more and more sellers are beginning to think that it's also getting to be a good time to buy… at least better than it was six months ago. Are Sellers Waking Up? Mon, 07 May 2012 16:05:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/06/Dont-Forget-the-Forgotten-Inventory/5251336345386/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/06/Dont-Forget-the-Forgotten-Inventory/5251336345386/ Job seekers who give up looking for employment are not counted as unemployed. They become invisible to the statisticians, but when the job picture improves, as it has in recent months, they flood employment lines and have a huge, unforeseen impact on unemployment rates. Job seekers who give up looking for employment are not counted as unemployed. They become invisible to the statisticians, but when the job picture improves, as it has in recent months, they flood employment lines and have a huge, unforeseen impact on unemployment rates. Don't Forget the Forgotten Inventory Sun, 06 May 2012 19:01:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/04/DC-Region-Monitors-Foreclosure-Wave/3371336135993/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/04/DC-Region-Monitors-Foreclosure-Wave/3371336135993/ For years, the Washington metro area has ranked high on every list of the nation's hottest markets. Now, however, the region's multiple listing service, MRIS, is holding its breath and closely monitoring the situation as a wave of backlogged foreclosures freed by the resolution of the Robogate processing scandal prepares to wash over local markets and threaten vulnerable jurisdictions. For years, the Washington metro area has ranked high on every list of the nation's hottest markets. Now, however, the region's multiple listing service, MRIS, is holding its breath and closely monitoring the situation as a wave of backlogged foreclosures freed by the resolution of the Robogate processing scandal prepares to wash over local markets and threaten vulnerable jurisdictions. DC Region Monitors Foreclosure Wave Fri, 04 May 2012 08:51:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/02/Foreclosure-Log-Jam-Starts-Up-Sales-Down/6791335993262/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/02/Foreclosure-Log-Jam-Starts-Up-Sales-Down/6791335993262/ March foreclosure starts increased a modest 8.1 percent in March over February while foreclosure sales continued to behave somewhat erratically, dropping to their lowest level since December 2010, and most sharply in non-judicial states. March foreclosure starts increased a modest 8.1 percent in March over February while foreclosure sales continued to behave somewhat erratically, dropping to their lowest level since December 2010, and most sharply in non-judicial states. Foreclosure Log Jam: Starts Up, Sales Down Wed, 02 May 2012 17:13:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/01/Midwest-Gets-Clobbered/8841335901517/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/05/01/Midwest-Gets-Clobbered/8841335901517/ Two national market reports released today carried a singular message. The nation's heartland is now the focus for price declines, no longer the South or West. From Milwaukee to Columbus, REO foreclosures are increasing and prices are falling. Two national market reports released today carried a singular message. The nation's heartland is now the focus for price declines, no longer the South or West. From Milwaukee to Columbus, REO foreclosures are increasing and prices are falling. Midwest Gets Clobbered Tue, 01 May 2012 15:45:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/27/Speed-Bumps-Ahead/8841335544659/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/27/Speed-Bumps-Ahead/8841335544659/ Mirroring the uneven economic recovery, the housing market is expected to move in a slow, gradual upward path in 2012, while encountering its share of speed bumps along the road, according to economists participating in yesterday's National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) construction forecast webinar on the housing and economic outlook. Mirroring the uneven economic recovery, the housing market is expected to move in a slow, gradual upward path in 2012, while encountering its share of speed bumps along the road, according to economists participating in yesterday's National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) construction forecast webinar on the housing and economic outlook. Speed Bumps Ahead Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:37:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/27/Investors-Limit-Multifamily-Boom/3811335538200/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/27/Investors-Limit-Multifamily-Boom/3811335538200/ Though optimism is spurring new multifamily construction, access to capital is handcuffing new construction, especially in secondary and tertiary markets. Though optimism is spurring new multifamily construction, access to capital is handcuffing new construction, especially in secondary and tertiary markets. Investors Limit Multifamily Boom Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:49:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/25/Sellers-Get-More-from-Cash-from-Cleaning/9821335360992/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/25/Sellers-Get-More-from-Cash-from-Cleaning/9821335360992/ Cleaning and decluttering will garner sellers a 403 percent return on their investment when they sell their homes this spring compared to a 293 percent return for electrical and plumbing upgrades and 196 percent for staging. Cleaning and decluttering will garner sellers a 403 percent return on their investment when they sell their homes this spring compared to a 293 percent return for electrical and plumbing upgrades and 196 percent for staging. Sellers Get More from Cash from Cleaning Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:36:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/25/Sand-States-Rebound-Atlanta-Falls-Farther-Behind/3471335356781/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/25/Sand-States-Rebound-Atlanta-Falls-Farther-Behind/3471335356781/ Atlanta had the only double-digit negative annual price decline falling 17.3 percent below February 2010 in the latest S&P/ Caser-Shiller Home Price Index. Atlanta had the only double-digit negative annual price decline falling 17.3 percent below February 2010 in the latest S&P/ Caser-Shiller Home Price Index. Sand States Rebound, Atlanta Falls Farther Behind Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:25:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/24/Buyers-Walk-the-Walk/6781335280979/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/24/Buyers-Walk-the-Walk/6781335280979/ What's wrong with this picture? What's wrong with this picture? Buyers Walk the Walk Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:21:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/23/Single-Family-Rentals-Now-Exceed-Multifamily/6691335188564/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/23/Single-Family-Rentals-Now-Exceed-Multifamily/6691335188564/ While inventories of homes for sale have been shrinking this spring, MLSs are filling the void with rental listings for single family homes that until recently were foreclosures. Some 16.1 percent of all listings on MLSs today are rentals, more than double the number in 2006. While inventories of homes for sale have been shrinking this spring, MLSs are filling the void with rental listings for single family homes that until recently were foreclosures. Some 16.1 percent of all listings on MLSs today are rentals, more than double the number in 2006. Single Family Rentals Now Exceed Multifamily Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:41:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/20/Foreclosure-Drought-and-Declining-Discounts-Depress-Investor-Sales/9311334928110/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/20/Foreclosure-Drought-and-Declining-Discounts-Depress-Investor-Sales/9311334928110/ The market share of foreclosures and short sales have fallen 27 percent from a year ago, pulling down March overall existing home sales 2.6 percent as inventories of foreclosures and short sales suddenly declined last month. The market share of foreclosures and short sales have fallen 27 percent from a year ago, pulling down March overall existing home sales 2.6 percent as inventories of foreclosures and short sales suddenly declined last month. Foreclosure Drought and Declining Discounts Depress Investor Sales Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:21:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/19/Foreclosure-Discounts-Shrink-in-2012/7301334844933/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/19/Foreclosure-Discounts-Shrink-in-2012/7301334844933/ The rates that foreclosures and short sales are discounted from full-price properties have declined significantly in 2012, especially discounts for higher priced properties and in some of the markets hit hardest by foreclosures in the past. The rates that foreclosures and short sales are discounted from full-price properties have declined significantly in 2012, especially discounts for higher priced properties and in some of the markets hit hardest by foreclosures in the past. Foreclosure Discounts Shrink in 2012 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:14:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/18/REMAX-March-Sales-Rose-15-Percent/7201334776151/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/18/REMAX-March-Sales-Rose-15-Percent/7201334776151/ For the ninth straight month, home sales in RE/MAX National Housing Report were higher than they were a year ago, rising 1.5 percent in March over 2011 and month-over-month sales were 25.4 percent higher than in February. For the ninth straight month, home sales in RE/MAX National Housing Report were higher than they were a year ago, rising 1.5 percent in March over 2011 and month-over-month sales were 25.4 percent higher than in February. RE/MAX: March Sales Rose 1.5 Percent Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:08:00 -0400 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/18/Lenders-Hang-Tough-as-Sales-Season-Opens/8141334756784/ http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Real-Estate/2012/04/18/Lenders-Hang-Tough-as-Sales-Season-Opens/8141334756784/ Lenders haven't budged an inch on tough origination standards as the 2012 spring sales season opened last month and conventional purchase and FHA loans gained greater market share. Lenders haven't budged an inch on tough origination standards as the 2012 spring sales season opened last month and conventional purchase and FHA loans gained greater market share. Lenders Hang Tough as Sales Season Opens Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:43:00 -0400