Daily Real Estate News  |  May 3, 2011  | Buyers Bypass 'Fixer-Upper,' Want Move-in Ready More buyers are shunning “as-is” properties in favor of homes that are in move-in condition, according to real estate professionals and recent surveys. For example, a Coldwell Banker survey recently found that 87 percent of first-time buyers say they desire a “move-in” ready home. “This is absolutely … [Read more...]

WSJ By S. MITRA KALITA and DAWN WOTAPKA| April 21, 2011 As Surge in Distressed Deals Discourages Owners From Trading Up, Tough Loan Rules Keep First-Time Buyers on Sideline Sales of previously owned homes rose slightly in March, but prices continued to fall, underscoring the fragility of the housing market's recovery. Existing home sales increased 3.7% in March from February, according to … [Read more...]

Daily Real Estate News  |  April 20, 2011  | Mortgage Applications Bounce Back, Up 5.3% The number of mortgage applications are back on the rise again after a monthlong decline in filings, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage applications increased 5.3 percent the past week, with most of the increase attributed to a surge in applications for government loans. Government … [Read more...]

Daily Real Estate News  |  April 20, 2011  | No More Utility Bills? More Builders Spotlight 'Green' Major builders say they are ramping up efforts to build homes that cost less to maintain and that you can buy at affordable prices. "Just about all the larger builders are focusing on energy efficiency," says Kevin Morrow of the National Association of Home Builders. But while net-zero … [Read more...]

Daily Real Estate News  |  April 20, 2011  | NAR: March Existing-Home Sales Rise 3.7% Sales of existing-home sales rose in March, continuing an uneven recovery that began after sales bottomed last July, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.7 percent … [Read more...]