One of the best indicators of the improving health of the housing market is the percentage of homes for sale that are distressed. If there are a lot of them (short sales and REOs/foreclosures), they keep overall prices down — and it indicates … [Read more...]

Four solid pieces of good news about the housing market — today, and looking ahead. 1. The number of homeowners underwater has dropped below 30 percent for the first time in, well, forever. That’s in large part due to rising home prices … [Read more...]

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Virginia Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors has approved a $10,000 donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to help assist those in areas severely affected by Sandy. Other state and local associations … [Read more...]

Freddie Mac reported a net income of $2.9 billion in the third quarter, and will pay back $1.8 billion to the Treasury. Fannie Mae reported a net income of $1.8 billion for the third quarter of this year, compared to a $5.1 billion loss in the third … [Read more...]

Forbes has a column from Trulia’s chief economist, Jed Kolko, “What Obama’s Re-Election Means for Housing.” Interesting reading, but if you’re lazy here are the main points: 1. More opportunities for refinancing as the … [Read more...]

It’s easy to jump on eminent domain as a black-and-white issue; no one wants the government to be able to seize property just because someone else thinks they can do something better with it. That’s what property rights are all about, and … [Read more...]