Monthly Archives: March 2014

Area’s home prices up 9 percent | Bedford Corners Real Estate

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Greater Boston housing prices rose solidly in January, continuing the trend of steadily increasing home values, according to a closely watched index that measures the nation’s housing markets.

The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported Tuesday that Boston-area home prices rose 9 percent in January from a year earlier. Nationally, home prices rose 13 percent during the same period.

“Expectations and recent data point to continued home price gains for 2014,” David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a statement. “Although most analysts do not expect the same rapid increases we saw last year, the consensus is for moderating gains.”

Greater Boston prices rose about 10 percent in 2013, according to the Case-Shiller indices. Data reported by other groups have also shown steady increases.

A shortage of homes on the market, coupled with strong demand, has contributed to rising  prices in Massachusetts, industry officials and analysts say.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported that even though home prices declined last month, the median price of a single-family home rose to $294,950, up 7.3 percent from February 2013. The median condo price rose 9.1 percent to $283,000.

 

 

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/03/25/home-prices-rise-inventory-shrinks/XhWaLlpma2mlPn9j1qUZXO/story.html

Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Rose 13.2% in Year to January | Chappaqua NY Real Estate

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Residential real-estate prices climbed at a slower pace in the year through January than a month earlier, indicating momentum in the housing market may be cooling.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values in 20 cities increased 13.2 percent from January 2013, the smallest gain since August, after rising 13.4 percent in the 12 months through December, the group said today in New York. The median projection of 30 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 13.3 percent advance. Compared with the prior month, prices rose 0.8 percent.

Price appreciation on a year-over-year basis has eased in recent months as higher mortgage rates and unusually severe winter weather slowed demand for properties. Smaller increases in asking prices will help improve affordability, providing support for the residential real-estate market, which has been a source of strength for the economy.

“Prices are rising, even though we should see those gains moderating,” said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James & Associates Inc., who correctly forecast the year-over-year gain. “You’re still talking about double-digit percentage increases, which aren’t going to be sustainable over the long term.”

Estimates (SPCS20Y%) in the Bloomberg survey ranged from year-over-year gains of 11.2 percent to 13.8 percent. The Case-Shiller index is based on a three-month average, which means the January figure was also influenced by transactions in December and November.

 

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-25/home-prices-in-20-u-dot-s-dot-cities-rose-13-dot-2-percent-in-year-to-january

Housing Prices: Up Or Down? How To Understand Today’s Case-Shiller Data | Armonk Real Estate

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Today S&P/Case-Shiller released its monthly housing data report, the leading measure of home prices across the nation. Immediately, reporters posted dozens of stories about January’s numbers–with oddly contradictory headlines.

“US home prices rise in January: S&P/Case-Shiller”, Reuters proclaimed. “Home prices decline for third month in January,” the Wall Street Journal‘s MarketWatch blog wrote. “Case-Shiller sees housing market cooling ever so slightly,” the Los Angeles Times proclaimed.

Which is it? Well, depending which numbers you look at, the answer is both–and all three. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices track home prices across the nation, looking at the data a number of ways. The driver behind the conflicting headlines is whether the reporter is using non-seasonally adjusted numbers (the raw data from that month) or seasonally adjusted (with seasonal peaks and valleys smoothed out).

It turns out that in January, housing prices (not seasonally adjusted) across 20 major American metros collectively dipped by one tenth of 1% compared to the prior month. In both December and November, that was also true: home prices dipped by 0.1% compared to the prior months then as well. Time for hand-wringing.

 

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2014/03/25/housing-prices-up-or-down-how-to-understand-todays-case-shiller-data/

39 Blogging Tips From the Pros | Cross River Realtor

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Are you looking for the latest blogging tactics?

Do you want to know what the blogging pros are doing today?

Keeping up with the latest social media changes is not always easy, and your blogging tactics may need to be refreshed.

We asked 39 blogging pros to share the best blogging tips and tactics worth doing today.

Here’s what they have to say.

#1: Turn Google Hangouts On Air Into Mini-Courses in a Blog

martin shervingtonMartin Shervington

Since I launched PlusYourBusiness, I’ve focused on one main tactic: include as rich a multimedia experience on the blog posts as I can, while remaining useful.

One of the best ways I’ve found to do this is to take an interview and structure it into a mini-course.

So, this is what I do regularly:

Run a Google Hangout On Air. For example, an interview with someone in social media or social SEO.

hangouts on air homepage

Run a Google Hangout On Air and then turn it into a mini-course on your blog.

 

I then take that interview and have it transcribed. I edit it into key sections, maybe five or six, adding in branding on the front- and back ends. This helps create a flow in the blog by embedding the YouTube videos into the blog post.

Then I take the original full version of the hangout video and embed that at the end, adding in the transcript for those who like to skim through.

So what’s the main advantage? Well, this way people can structure their own learning experience. They can watch one video at a time instead of risking watching one or two hours of videos.

Google Hangouts On Air can be recorded as live, private events in YouTube as well. So even if you don’t want to have one publicly on Google+, you can still achieve the same result. It really is a great way to make your content work a lot harder on your behalf.

Martin Shervington is the author of The Art and Science of Google+ and a marketing consultant.

#2: Make an Audio Version of Your Blog Posts

greg hickmanGreg Hickman

Recently, my favorite blogging tactic has been to make an audio version of my blog posts to share on my podcast feed. It introduces a whole new set of content to my podcast audience and lets people consume my editorial content in a new, easy and mobile way.

Some bloggers using this tactic are seeing a 2000% increase in exposure. I’m experiencing this on my own site and it’s even created more engagement in the Comment section, surprisingly enough.

 

 

 

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/39-blogging-tips/

Trulia: 3 weights pull the housing recovery down | South Salem Real Estate

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The housing market is recovering, albeit a slow and staggering pace, but it is still improving.

According to Trulia (TRLA) Chief Economist Jed Kolko’s latest Housing Barometer blog, “Of the Housing Barometer’s five indicators, all have improved over the last year except new construction starts. But only rising home prices and falling delinquencies + foreclosures have been steady. The other three measures – sales, starts, and young-adult employment – have zigzagged, both gaining and losing ground over the year.”

So what are the dead weights adding pressure to the strength of the recovery?

In the blog, Kolko defines three variables holding the recovery back.

1. Affordability is getting worse.

Kolko mentions that even though it remains cheaper to buy a home than to rent in the 100 largest metros, homeownership is pricier than last year. “And declining affordability is a bigger challenge for first-time home buyers than for current homeowners looking to trade in a home that has also increased in value,” Kolko said.

2. Investors are slowly exiting.

Since prices have risen and fewer people are losing homes to foreclosure, Kolko noted that investing-to-rent makes less sense. Previously, investors were a main driver in pushing up home sales and prices, but as they step back, price gains are slowing and sales volumes are sagging, he added.

3. The mortgage market is unstable.

Purchase applications and mortgage-based home sales are declining, as rates continue to rise and new regulations are short-term uncertainty. “But this reason may be only a temporary hurdle: rates remain low by historical standards, and the new mortgage rules offer longer-term clarity that should encourage banks to make more loans that are within the new rules,” Kolko said.

Although this unusual winter created some burden on the housing market, these reasons are the main drivers behind recent stumbles in sales and starts.

But the good news: the delinquency and foreclosure rate is dropping, and young adults are going back to work.

 

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29441-trulia-3-weights-pulling-the-housing-recovery-down

Is This Housing Indicator Flashing a Warning Signal? | Katonah NY Real Estate

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Mortgage applications continued their downward spiral as interest rates climb higher and doubts remain about the strength of the housing market. In the latest update from the Mortgage Bankers Association, for the week ended March 21, applications for home loans fell 3.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 3 percent.

There has been a steady slide in mortgage applications over the past nine months as the housing market returns to a more sustainable pace. As the chart above shows, applications are near their worst level in years. The Refinance Index plunged 8 percent from the previous week. The Purchase Index managed to increase 3 percent, but on an unadjusted basis, the index was still 17 percent below year-ago levels.

Overall, the refinance share of mortgage activity accounted for 54 percent of total applications, the lowest share since April 2010 and down from 57 percent a week earlier. In fact, the refinance share of mortgage activity has now dropped for seven consecutive weeks. Conventional and government refinance applications led the contraction.

 

 

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/personal-finance/is-this-housing-indicator-flashing-a-warning-signal.html/?ref=YF

Mortgage rates increase as the 10-year bond sells off | Bedford NY Real Estate

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Mortgage rates are the lifeblood of the housing market, which is why Bernanke and the Fed began conducting quantitative easing (or QE) in the first place. Lower rates allow homeowners to refinance, which increases their disposable income and helps stimulate economic growth. Lower rates enable first-time homebuyers to move out of an apartment and into a house, which means higher consumption (and good things for home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s). Consumption accounts for some 70% of the U.S. economy, and consumption has been depressed since the housing bubble burst. The Federal Reserve would prefer to keep rates as low as possible for as long as possible.

 

Mortgage rates rise as the ten-year bond sells off

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 11 basis points as the ten-year yield rose 9 basis points, and TBAs rallied. With the refinance boom over, originators are overstaffed and cutting prices to drive business. We’ve seen a number of small originators go out of business, as they found themselves unable to compete in a purchase-driven mortgage market. The purchase market is fundamentally different from the refinance market in that it’s driven by relationships and not price. Last week, we heard from the biggest banks in the mortgage business, and every one reported drops in origination activity of 30% to 40%. Margins are getting squeezed as bankers compete for business.

The confirmation of Mel Watt as FHFA Chairman might give originators a break, as he’s expected to endorse further government homeowner assistance, which could mean an extension of HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) eligibility dates. This could trigger a new refinance boom.

Recently, the FHFA issued new loan level pricing adjustments for conforming loans. Loans with FICO scores above 680 and loan-to-value ratios above 80% will see higher rates. Not only that, but the FHFA also increased the guarantee fee for conforming loans by 10 basis points. Mel Watt put these increases on hold.

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mortgage-rates-increase-10-bond-170020962.html

5 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home for Spring | Chappaqua Real Estate

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Step 1: Clean the Air

Making your home inhospitable for allergens sounds like a daunting task. In a particulate sense, it’s going to be you against millions of mold spores, dust mites and pollen. Fortunately, though, you’re smarter than these minute microbes, and following these tips can help you keep allergies at bay. A well-ventilated house and nonleaking ductwork is a first line of defense against bringing allergens into your living space. Use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in the air conditioning system. Maintain the humidity level in the house at about 50 percent. Mold likes moisture, and dust and pollen are easily stirred in dry air. Keep your windows closed when pollen counts are highest: in the early morning hours, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and in windy conditions. Pollen and mold spores settle on clothing, so when you come in from outdoors, remove your outer garments in the mud room, and take a shower.

 

http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/5-ways-allergy-proof-home-slideshow-181100929/

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Spike Eight Basis Points | Armonk Real Estate

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Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages rose last week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 4.27 percent, up from 4.19 percent at this same time last week.

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate surged early last week, peaking at 4.33 percent on Thursday before dropping down near 4.28 percent, where rates hovered for the remainder of the week.

“Last week, rates surged after the Federal Reserve suggested it might increase the Federal Funds Rate sooner and more significantly than expected, surprising many market observers who look to this rate for guidance on where mortgage rates are headed,” said Erin Lantz, vice president of mortgages at Zillow. “This week, we expect rates will inch up further on the momentum of last week’s direction from the Fed and expectations of positive news from economic data scheduled for release.”

Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 3.22 percent and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.87 percent.

What are the interest rates right now? Check Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for mortgage rate trends and up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state.

 

 

http://homes.yahoo.com/news/30-fixed-mortgage-rates-spike-eight-basis-points-181437722.html

Twelve of 20 tracked cities post drops | Pound Ridge Real Estate

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WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — U.S. home prices slipped in January for a third straight month after a particularly harsh winter, according to data released Tuesday, as strong year-over-year appreciation showed signs of moderating.

U.S. home prices ticked down 0.1% in January, with 12 of 20 tracked cities posting drops, according to S&P/Case-Shiller’s 20-city composite index. After seasonal adjustments, home prices in January rose 0.8%. Separately, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that prices rose 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in January. The FHFA bases its home-price gauge on information from mortgages sold or guaranteed by Fannie Mae/quotes/zigman/226360/delayed/quotes/nls/fnmaFNMA+2.63% and Freddie Mac/quotes/zigman/226335/delayed/quotes/nls/fmccFMCC+2.65% .

On a year-over-year basis, home prices rose 13.2% in January, down from 13.4% in December and a recent peak of 13.7% in November, according to the Case-Shiller data.

“The housing market is showing signs of moving forward with more normal price increases,” David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a statement.

Including January, prices remained about 20% below a 2006 peak.

 

 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-prices-decline-for-third-month-in-january-2014-03-25?siteid=yhoof2