The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called on Congress recently to take steps to resolve unintended consequences of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act that are resulting in huge premium spikes for many home owners and impacting the sale, construction and remodeling of homes across the nation.

Testifying before …

Thomson Reuters and the National Association of Counties (NACo) recently released the results of their Annual Local Property Markets Survey.

The survey results indicate a strengthening recovery for local property markets. Key findings include:
• 72 percent of U.S. counties surveyed reported an increase in assessed property values.
• …

Mortgage applications decreased 2.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 15, 2013. This week’s results include an adjustment to account for the Veteran’s Day holiday.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of …

Most people are familiar with the various reasons a homeowner refinances their home which generally result in two major benefits: saving interest and building equity.

There is however another reason to refinance which may not be as common which is to remove a person from the …

Strengthening house prices and increased interest rates in metros across the country contributed to lower housing affordability in the third quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released recently.

In all, 64.5 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of …

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates moving higher for the second consecutive week on stronger than expected data releases including the employment report for October. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is at its highest level since September 19, 2013, …

MBA’s Builder Application Survey data for October 2013 shows that mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 11 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

By product type, conventional loans composed 67.5 percent of loan applications, FHA loans …

As a homeowner, you obviously pay for your mortgage but as an investor, your tenant does. Equity build-up is a significant benefit of mortgaged rental property. As the investor collects rent and pays expenses, the principal amount of the loan is reduced which increases the equity in …

In an effort to improve the homeownership and financial planning outcomes of active duty service members and veterans, NeighborWorks America CEO Eileen Fitzgerald called upon nonprofit housing counselors and nonprofit financial capability coaches to increase their outreach and other marketing efforts to those who have chosen to serve their country …

In September, interest rates on conventional mortgages used to purchase newly built homes increased for the fourth month in a row, according to data released today by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

During the month, the average contract interest rate increased by 10 basis points to 4.30 percent, …