By: Marc Lebowitz, Executive Officer, ACAR (Ada County (Idaho) Association of Realtors) 2011 December sales were 477 in Ada County, a decrease of 9% over December 2010. Total sales for 2011 are 6,299; up 7% over 2010. In July of 2011, we exceeded YTD 2010 sales for the first time in 2011. This is
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01/18/2012
The Federal Home Finance Agency announced big changes to its Home Affordable Refinance Program Monday. More commonly called HARP, the Home Affordable Refinance Program is meant to give "underwater homeowners" opportunity to refinance. With average, 30-year fixed rate mortgages still hovering near
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10/28/2011
Existing Home Sales continued their upward climb in January. This is the fourth month in a row where we have seen month-over-month gains in the number of units sold. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales rose 2.7% from December. Also, the inventory levels decreased again:
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02/28/2011
As a lending professional, I have an opportunity to meet lots of Realtors®. The NAR® report says 70% of buyers work with the first Realtor® they meet. I am not sure that is the best situation. Now I know several Realtors® that if that were to happen, the consumer would be really well taken car
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02/21/2011
If consumer spending is a keystone element in the U.S. economic recovery, a full-on rebound is likely underway. Tuesday, the Census Bureau released its national January Retail Sales figures and, for the seventh straight month, the data surpassed expectations. Last month's retail figures climbed 0
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02/15/2011
If your ARM is due to adjust this spring, your best move may be to allow it. Don't rush to refinance - your rate may be adjusting lower. It's because of how adjusted mortgage rates are calculated. First, let's look at the lifecycle of a conventional, adjustable rate mortgage: There's a "starter p
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02/08/2011
Another day, another strong report for housing. The Pending Home Sales Index climbed 2 percent in December, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. A "pending home sale" is an existing home under contract to sell, but not yet closed. The Nationwide Pending Home Sales figures are up fo
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02/01/2011
Sales of new homes rose sharply in December, posting a 17.5 percent gain from the month prior. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, New Home Sales climbed to 329,000 in December, besting November by close to 50,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Last month's
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01/28/2011
Each month, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Census Bureau releases its New Residential Construction report. The report is comprised of several sections, one of which counts the number of homes that have "broken ground" in Idaho and nationwide. They're call
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01/20/2011
Consumers keep spending, the economy keeps growing. Mortgage rates are improving this morning on just-released, slightly worse-than-expected Retail Sales data from December 2010. Excluding motor vehicles and auto parts, December's sales receipts were $1.5 billion higher from November. Analysts ha
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01/17/2011
