News

Builderonline News

• Percentage of Underwater Homeowners Still Growing

  According to Zillow’s data, 2.4 million homes are worth less than half of what they’re mortgaged for.

   

• Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Falls to New Low

  WASHINGTON - The average U.S. rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record low for a fourth straight week.

   

• Half of Metro Atlanta Mortgagees Underwater

  May 24--More than half of homeowners with a mortgage in metro Atlanta owe more than the house is worth, a new report says.

   

• FHFA: March Saw Biggest Home Price Surge in Decades

  The agency’s quarterly house price index logged its first year-over-year improvement since 2007.

   

• New-Home Sales, Prices Strengthened in April

  Buyers are also shifting toward more pre-orders rather than completed homes.

   

• Job Growth to Top Projections Through 2012, New Survey Shows

  U.S. job growth will top projections through 2012, new survey shows

   

• By the Numbers: Toll Brothers, Second Quarter 2012

  Positive earnings in the second quarter left Toll executives optimistic about what's to come.

   

• Is Housing Ready for Its “Got Milk” Moment?

  Builder Homesite is preparing a national marketing campaign to tout new homes over “used.”

   

• Disney’s VISION Home Demonstrates Housing’s Green Future

  The house, built inside Disney World's EPCOT, showcases the cutting edge in sustainable products. Some 15 million visitors are expected to tour the home in the next three years.

   

• Existing-Home Prices Saw Record Jump in April

  Sales improved across all four regions during the month.

   

• New Guide Helps Appraisers Factor Energy Efficiency into Valuations

  Updated publication details the effects of energy performance on property value.

   

• Fitch: U.S. Residential Nearing Bottom, Attracting Investment

  Fitch Ratings expects real U.S. residential real estate prices to decline by 7.8%, down from last quarter's 9.1% expectation.

   

• Flexible Spaces Win Over Active Adults in a N.J. Community

  Wyngate at Medford's focus on meeting diverse lifestyle needs has helped it become one of the state's best selling projects.

   

• Tulsa's Housing Market on Upswing

  I think it's finally safe to call it - the local housing market is getting better for the long term.

   

• Economists More Upbeat About Job Growth, Housing

  NEW YORK - A new survey shows economists are growing slightly more optimistic about recovery in the job and housing markets but expect other pillars of the economy to remain weak.

   

• For Plumas Lake Buyers, Bad Luck or Bad Business?

  May 21--At the height of the housing bubble, Plumas Lake seemed like a good deal to buyers willing to trade a long commute for a big house.

   

• Downtown Seattle Condos Finally Filling Up

  May 20--The past few years haven't been good ones for condo developers in and around downtown Seattle.

   

• Housing's Future Depends on Echo Boomers, NAR Says

  The next two decades in housing markets depends largely on the Echo Boomers.

   

• Polished Style, Practical Use: Products from AIA 2012

  Check out our product finds from Day 1 of the convention.

   

• Tucson Median Home Price Up 6% in March

  Tucson-area home prices rose more than 6 percent in March as unit sales rose nearly 19 percent compared with the same month in 2011, according to the latest data from the Tucson Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.